Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

[SkinsFan09]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

I think NU played well, Rossi is right after the first 10 minutes which NU dominated Maine then controlled the next 15 minutes. I think it evened out pretty much from there for the rest of the night. A blowout? Sorry I have to disagree this game should not have been a blow out.

NU had 3 grade A chances to put the foot on the throat before Maine's last push in the final 5 minutes where they took over in desperation. Reid had one clank off the post, Snydeman I believe had a breakaway etc.

 

[NU'14]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

This place is dead.

From an attendance side, what do you guys think is most to blame for that? Is it lack of marketing? Is it that NU is becoming a "white-collar" upper tier school and the student body couldn't care less about athletics? I think the list could continue but the doghouse isn't the only empty place in the rink. The entire arena looks barely above 50% full.

 

[Tilldog40]

From an attendance side, what do you guys think is most to blame for that? Is it lack of marketing? Is it that NU is becoming a "white-collar" upper tier school and the student body couldn't care less about athletics? I think the list could continue but the doghouse isn't the only empty place in the rink. The entire arena looks barely above 50% full.

Some people are not gonna like my response but a lot of it has to do with foreign student body. Your right it is what the student body at NU has become. It's not the same school it was even 10 years ago. Most of the student body has no interest in hockey just like nobody knew we even had football team. It sucks but it is what it is.

 

[NU_Husky]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Some people are not gonna like my response but a lot of it has to do with foreign student body.

I am with you in the likely minority with that opinion. Look around campus during class, very diverse student population. Looks around the Doghouse on gameday, not so much. It's a culture thing. Even though basketball attendance is worse than hockey, 40% of those that do show are international. That sport has appeal to them. Unfortunately hockey does not, regardless of the fact that hockey is the school's best sport in an area where hockey is top dog.

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

I've seen plenty of foreign students at gms. they actually cheer quite a bit & seem to love the sport.. (from the ones sitting around our section). I think our non foreign students do not attend as much. I have definitely seen a drop. could be the course load.. definitely is also the marketing on campus about the gms /opponent each wknd.. and then there's Roby.

Besides the above, overall there's just a lot to do in the city on a wknd night.. nothing wrong with that I guess. We could def drum up some support by better marketing to alumni/ families/ kids packages + a whole lot more awareness about the hockey on campus. All these yrs.. I've wondered why they have never done a family/ season ticket holder /kids type family-student skate at Matthews.. such a great arena. And that's just the beginning of the possibilities.. Starts at the (AD's office) top..

 

[CollegeHockeyRinkReport]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Besides the above, overall there's just a lot to do in the city on a wknd night.. nothing wrong with that I guess. We could def drum up some support by better marketing to alumni/ families/ kids packages + a whole lot more awareness about the hockey on campus. All these yrs.. I've wondered why they have never done a family/ season ticket holder /kids type family-student skate at Matthews.. such a great arena. And that's just the beginning of the possibilities.. Starts at the (AD's office) top..

I never understand this. No one from the age of 18-25 goes out before 10 p.m. anyways.

 

[NU_Husky]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Hockey East and MHockey just tweeted out that NU is guaranteed a 1st round bye due to having tiebreakers with UML, PC, Maine, and UVM. Home ice still up for grabs, but the bye is assured!

 

[Tilldog40]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

That's awesome. Let's grab home ice.

 

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

...NU is guaranteed a 1st round bye due to having tiebreakers with UML, PC, Maine, and UVM. Home ice still up for grabs, but the bye is assured!

Amazing how those pre-season coach's and media polls are uncannily accurate.

 

[Huskies of NU]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Re: attendance

I think it starts with this version of the doghouse leadership. I don't know if they had a smaller budget to work with or what with regards to in-game giveaways like t-shirts, but creating facebook events don't cost any money. This is the best way to spread awareness around campus with the way everyone is glued to their tablets and smartphones. I think the largest reason why attendance is down, at least among the students, is that the casual fan just simply doesn't realize there's a game. In-game has also been more boring than past years because the fan-base simply hasn't been as rowdy as in previous years. Again, this starts at the top with the doghouse leaders. The casual fan isn't necessarily going to know how to act at a game. I think this team feeds off of the crowd/atmosphere a lot. The crowd definitely amped them up at the beanpot. While Roby has a bigger impact with the alumni/families attending the games, the student attendance is brought in by doghouse leadership, which has been very poor this year.

 

[Huskies of NU]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Re: 3-point weekend

Overall, I liked what I saw this weekend. I really liked the Roy-Szmatula-ZAR line featured last night. ZAR seemed to click with them, and I agree with Huskies01 that Roy and Szmatula need to stay together. One really good line is better than two average-slightly above average lines. There isn't really anyone else on the team who has enough skill and finesse to play with either one of them. The last time we had a line in this neighborhood IMO was the MacLeod-Silva-McNeely and we went to the HE semis that year. I would say bc is doing pretty well with a rather top-heavy lineup as well.

Play in the defensive zone was another solid aspect of the weekend, especially considering 2 of the top 4 d-men were out. A lot more active sticks than I remember seeing this season. They got sticks on a lot of shots and passes. I thought that was huge for this weekend.

I am a little nervous about Witt though. Yes the defense has been leaving him out to dry, and yes he has played out of his mind all year. This isn't me complaining about his overall game, because he's still playing fantastically overall IMO. My nervousness comes from the large quantity of 5-hole goals he's been giving up lately. I also have noticed he's been a bit less disciplined and more prone to his old habits of over-committing to pucks in recent games. He's a very aggressive goalie with a bit of an unconventional side, so he treads a fine line between effectively aggressive and overaggressive.

 

[Tilldog40]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Just take care of bu next weekend that's all I ask. Get our guys healthy for the playoffs and let's get a good run going in the tournemant.

 

[NU'14]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Re: attendance

I think it starts with this version of the doghouse leadership. I don't know if they had a smaller budget to work with or what with regards to in-game giveaways like t-shirts, but creating facebook events don't cost any money. This is the best way to spread awareness around campus with the way everyone is glued to their tablets and smartphones. I think the largest reason why attendance is down, at least among the students, is that the casual fan just simply doesn't realize there's a game. In-game has also been more boring than past years because the fan-base simply hasn't been as rowdy as in previous years. Again, this starts at the top with the doghouse leaders. The casual fan isn't necessarily going to know how to act at a game. I think this team feeds off of the crowd/atmosphere a lot. The crowd definitely amped them up at the beanpot. While Roby has a bigger impact with the alumni/families attending the games, the student attendance is brought in by doghouse leadership, which has been very poor this year.

As a fellow student, it is frustrating when the Doghouse starts a chant and students do not join in. I do not think they are entirely to blame. Earlier this year they did a facebook group for the game and something like 22 people joined it. Facebook has kinda died out, I think most students are on the twitter train now. Also, there are no shirts this year because they spent the money on over a thousand shirts for basketball and sunglasses (yes sunglasses). No shirts for hockey this year

 

[Thiessen'sBetter]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Hockey East and MHockey just tweeted out that NU is guaranteed a 1st round bye due to having tiebreakers with UML, PC, Maine, and UVM. Home ice still up for grabs, but the bye is assured!

This is huge to hopefully have all of our guys healthy for the quarterfinals. Does anyone know if Cody is hurt or has he been a healthy scratch?

 

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

...I am a little nervous about Witt though. Yes the defense has been leaving him out to dry, and yes he has played out of his mind all year. This isn't me complaining about his overall game, because he's still playing fantastically overall IMO. My nervousness comes from the large quantity of 5-hole goals he's been giving up lately. I also have noticed he's been a bit less disciplined and more prone to his old habits of over-committing to pucks in recent games. He's a very aggressive goalie with a bit of an unconventional side, so he treads a fine line between effectively aggressive and overaggressive.

I've noticed the same thing and thought this weekend wasn't his best. Goalies sometimes just hit a wall, manage to push through it, and get their mojo back. I'm thinking he can smell the playoffs and the big stage that goes with it and will be alright.

On the other side of that coin: KRoy has looked a little lost recently but came back with a vengeance this past weekend. (Still can't get over Reid not potting that perfect pass KRoy gave him in OT on Friday.)

 

[SkinsFan09]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

I've noticed the same thing and thought this weekend wasn't his best. Goalies sometimes just hit a wall, manage to push through it, and get their mojo back. I'm thinking he can smell the playoffs and the big stage that goes with it and will be alright.

On the other side of that coin: KRoy has looked a little lost recently but came back with a vengeance this past weekend. (Still can't get over Reid not potting that perfect pass KRoy gave him in OT on Friday.)

9 points in a 4 game point streak. No complaints. Now tied for the 5th most points in the nation and most in HEA not including the BC super line.

 

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

Here's an absolute must read from Mark Cuban's personal blog. It's bouncyball-centric but goes to the heart of some of the concerns that have been expressed on this thread regarding Matthews attendance in general and the Doghouse in particular. It's long and very detailed but also very well-written and definitely worth the read.

http://blogmaverick.com/2014/02/23/...paign=Feed:+blogmaverick/tyiP+(blog+maverick)

If you're a Doghouse member, read carefully the part about making students become part of the action (i.e., 7th Player) rather than just passively watching. If you happen to be a member of the NU Athletics Dept., read the whole thing. Twice if necessary. And take notes.

 

[bsaeagle64]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

I read the article and if the Athletic Department is going to read it, IMO, item #2 is the best point he made (although the numbers are skewed for the purpose of the article):

2. Know who your long time fans/customers are.

The delta between sell out and empty is typically 5k fans. You have to know who your ongoing season ticket holders are and respect and appreciate them. You can not do enough to reward them. It is hard to personally respond to 5k or more account holders, but it is something you have to work at. The greater the renewal rate the fewer the tickets you have to sell next year. Fans know when you care. You can’t fake it. It is hard work, but it has to be done. Know your customers and treat them like gold

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

I've said it before, say it again.. kids 12 & under.. let them attend for free. They will enjoy the gm experience. Matthews is a great place to watch hockey. This usually means youth hockey players/ teams, families.. coupled with better out reach on campus to the student body. Do what needs to be done. If a flashing red billboard on Huntington and St. Botolph will remind people on Fridays/Saturdays its gm night.. do it!..

Also.. to alumni who come now & recent alums.. get 'em some tickets to come to a game during the playoffs. If that is not a possibility this season, get 'em to come nxt season for a regular season game. It's a start.. get something going!

 

[retsap71]

Re: Northeastern Huskies 2013-14 Season Thread II: In Witt we Trust

I think the live streaming of home games hurts. Think of it like this, you can get a 30 pack sit in your room with a couple of guys and watch the game on-line in your dorm, or go to the game. 9/10 college kids are going to pick the first option. They need to stop the free streaming.