Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

[OSUmab]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

any idea how many tickets are left? I dont like to pay the ticket master fees and would like to buy them friday morning when i come down if at all possible.

I'm not really sure if there is a way to tell. Last year there was some day of game tickets being sold at the door. You might have to take a chance?

 

[OSUmab]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

Wow, I was actually missed? Gee thanks! Haven't visited these boards since thanksgiving weekend, just caught up with all the posts. WHEW! Good to see all the new posters. Welcome to the winter of our discontent. Haven't been to a home game since Jan 29th, can't wait to have my 1st game back be a home "away game" with all the annoying Redskin fans. Ya know watching this game really makes me want to start drinking again. I should keep a six pack of Woodchuck Amber draft cider in the fridge for just an occasion like this. And to think I missed most of the women's curling gold medal match to watch this enthralling mediocrity.

Got my letter in the mail yesterday about the games next weekend in the ice rink (I really do perfer to see games there btw). Season ticket holders can call or go to the ticket office Monday to get their ticket package $20 a person for tickets all three games, everyone else can order tickets starting on Monday 10am. $10 per person per game.

You're alive! I saw you at the game Sat but missed talking to you. Sure I'll bump in to you this weekend.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

Great crowd last night. OK, a good sized contingent from Miami contributed to the atmosphere. That's as it should be for an in-state rivalry. But my question for roughly half of the Buckeye fans in attendance would be: Where were you all year? We need your support all season long, not for just one or two special games.

I think the better question would be where was this team and coaching staff all year? The fans will come back when we bring in a decent coach and put a championship-caliber team on the ice, not the current less-than-mediocre team that finished in the bottom half of the CCHA and just happened to win a couple big games this season. I could understand calling out fans if we were in the top four in the CCHA and had a shot at getting to the NCAA Tournament. That's hardly the case this season.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

I feel that HckyDoc is right.

I don't fully agree with HckyDoc, but wasn't offended by anything he posted.

And I have to inquire what is over the line? That seems to be something you set by your personal judgement? Open forum is for debate and discussion and if profanity and obscenity are absent then an opinion about officiating isn't in the least way out of bounds. If the USCHO moderators don't censor it then it is appropriate and relevant.

Sigh.

Now you disagreed which is your right to said opinion and ours is different and by our postings others will form their opinions on the subject. We may not like or agree with what others have to say but this is America and that my friend is the beauty of it!

I'm not suggesting that the mods or anyone else should have stopped you from posting. What I am saying is that you made poor choices in a couple of your posts.

You alleged that certain referees are "crooked" or "very biased on the ice." When you accuse someone of being dishonest in their work, that is potentially defamatory. It is night and day different from criticizing particular calls, or even arguing that an individual doesn't have the talent for the job. Refraining from making defamatory statements strikes me as an extremely minimal standard of behavior.

Note that defamatory material, like obscenity, can't count on the protection of the 1st Amendment. That's a matter of law, not my personal judgement. While the chances of a lawsuit based on message board chat are extremely remote, the law can still provide guidance as to what is appropriate behavior.

The last component of all of this does stem from my personal philosophy. I follow a personal rule of: "When in doubt, don't post." I'd recommend that approach to you. For that matter, I'd recommend it to anyone. I truly believe that it makes for a better message board. But if that's too cautious or conservative for your taste, so be it.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

I think the better question would be where was this team and coaching staff all year? The fans will come back when we bring in a decent coach and put a championship-caliber team on the ice, not the current less-than-mediocre team that finished in the bottom half of the CCHA and just happened to win a couple big games this season. I could understand calling out fans if we were in the top four in the CCHA and had a shot at getting to the NCAA Tournament. That's hardly the case this season.

I understand your position. To the extent that there really is a group of fans that sat out the full season based on principle, I suppose they're exempt from my comment. If others dropped out along the way for the same reason, I guess they're exempt too.

In this case, my frustration is with the fans who only attend if Michigan or Miami comes to town, and only then if there's nothing better to do. My sense is that this group is much larger than those who are sitting out based on principle.

I hope you'll try to understand where I'm coming from. There's no question in my mind that a larger, more engaged crowd helps any program -- regardless of who the coaches and players are. Wouldn't you agree that the good crowd contributed to the high quality of last Saturday night's game?

Yeah, I know: What comes first, the chicken or the egg?

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

I understand your position. To the extent that there really is a group of fans that sat out the full season based on principle, I suppose they're exempt from my comment. If others dropped out along the way for the same reason, I guess they're exempt too.

In this case, my frustration is with the fans who only attend if Michigan or Miami comes to town, and only then if there's nothing better to do. My sense is that this group is much larger than those who are sitting out based on principle.

I hope you'll try to understand where I'm coming from. There's no question in my mind that a larger, more engaged crowd helps any program -- regardless of who the coaches and players are. Wouldn't you agree that the good crowd contributed to the high quality of last Saturday night's game?

Yeah, I know: What comes first, the chicken or the egg?

As any good accountant would say "The numbers don't lie." I'd say the correlation between successful seasons attendance are obvious. Now certain schools like OSU's football following travel better than others. I would naturally expect Miami and Michigan both of who have had success in their programs to be more in force attending away games within a several hours drive than say those who drive more than 6 hours to get here, and those who do make the extended drive are most likely family and close friends of the players and not many of their fellow students. So to constantly have the numbers we wish for at our home games we must rely primarily on our own fans to attend.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

As any good accountant would say "The numbers don't lie." I'd say the correlation between successful seasons attendance are obvious.

Clearly correct. Win, and the fair weather fans will come. That's not an OSU phenomena, that's true everywhere.

But while correct, it's only half of the story. And it's the easy half. The tougher question is whether it's possible to have consistently successful seasons if attendance numbers and game day atmosphere are noticeably subpar.

I don't mean to suggest that the fans bear a majority of the responsibility for this. Maybe the fan base can be characterized as the junior partner in the operation.

At the same time, I'm fully aware that there's a portion of the sporting public that feels little loyalty to specific teams. These fans only attend if they decide they're getting enough entertainment value for the dollar. For them, winning comes first, and attendance comes second -- if it comes at all.

So ultimately what's needed is to grow the group of fans that will stick with the team through thick and thin. As has been discussed at various points throughout the year, cultivating such a group is easier said than done. But if large enough, it can be a big part of the solution. At the Schott, the goal for the core fan base should be to fill the lower bowl on a regular basis. If and when an influx of casual fans comes, we take down the curtains and accomodate them upstairs.

The good news is that the curtains have come down a couple of times this year. The bad news is that there's still an urgent need for more "lower bowl regulars."

Now certain schools like OSU's football following travel better than others. I would naturally expect Miami and Michigan both of who have had success in their programs to be more in force attending away games within a several hours drive than say those who drive more than 6 hours to get here, and those who do make the extended drive are most likely family and close friends of the players and not many of their fellow students. So to constantly have the numbers we wish for at our home games we must rely primarily on our own fans to attend.

All true. I don't think anyone on the thread took the contrary position, but that doesn't make you any less correct.

The only thing I'd add is that visiting fans definitely improve game day atmosphere. If nothing else, their very presence tends to rile up the home folk.

 

[Draighlicht]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

So ultimately what's needed is to grow the group of fans that will stick with the team through thick and thin. As has been discussed at various points throughout the year, cultivating such a group is easier said than done. But if large enough, it can be a big part of the solution. At the Schott, the goal for the core fan base should be to fill the lower bowl on a regular basis. If and when an influx of casual fans comes, we take down the curtains and accomodate them upstairs..

Definitely true, but much easier said than done.

I was at the Friday Alaska game and brought two "rookies or newbies" with me. The performance on the ice was much less than thrilling. One person was willing to give it another try but the other could only comment, "they don't have a very good team."

The quality of the product on the ice comes first and foremost. For the last four years OSU's attendance average has dropped each season. Something is scaring away the fans that used to come to the games. (Read the first sentence in this paragraph again.)

This was my 31st consecutive year of seeing at least one OSU home game for the men's program (and I've seen at least one women's game every year). After the Schott opened OSU had a great opportunity to really build something special with its hockey program. No one minds a down season or two, but four or five in a row is going to kill attendance every time.

Perhaps things won't improve with a new coach, but I've come to the conclusion the chances are better with a complete makeover of the staff. If things continue on this route OSU will have trouble selling out the old Ice Arena in a couple of years.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

I understand your position. To the extent that there really is a group of fans that sat out the full season based on principle, I suppose they're exempt from my comment. If others dropped out along the way for the same reason, I guess they're exempt too.

In this case, my frustration is with the fans who only attend if Michigan or Miami comes to town, and only then if there's nothing better to do. My sense is that this group is much larger than those who are sitting out based on principle.

I hope you'll try to understand where I'm coming from. There's no question in my mind that a larger, more engaged crowd helps any program -- regardless of who the coaches and players are. Wouldn't you agree that the good crowd contributed to the high quality of last Saturday night's game?

Yeah, I know: What comes first, the chicken or the egg?

I understand where you are coming from, and though I am not a season ticket holder, I have attended several games this season. I was actually at the Bowling Green vs Michigan State game this past Saturday at the BGSU Ice Arena. Mrs 86 is a BG grad so we try to get to some of her games, too. Plus, Ken Morrow was at the game signing autographs and taking pictures. I had him sign my 'Miracle' DVD and we got a nice picture. But I digress. I agree with you that a team can be energized by a large crowd, but I also believe it's the team's job to get the crowd involved (or give them a reason to come out), not vice versa. As you alluded to, there is a pocket of casual fans out there that will only come to a game if we are playing Michigan or Miami. In general, though, I, like most on here, believe that fans will come back when we put a championship-caliber program on the ice. I think some fans have just grown weary of the mediocre seasons with an occasional NCAA Tournament berth.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

The pro's feel the same pinch with the prime example our own Blue Jackets. Early on attendance was excellent and as the fan frustration grew with the playoffs always seeming to elude them the numbers started to drop. As with both Nationwide Arena and the Schott "If you build it, they will come" held true in the beginning but quickly changed to "If they win, they will come".

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

By the way, just called the ticket office and they said there's about a hundred tickets left for each night. 800 seats is where the cutoff is.

 

[HckyDoc]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

Sounds like it was a well played game on Saturday. It seems as if Markell has finally decided upon Carlson as his starter. I have mixed emotions with everyone saying Heeter is the more talented and athletic of the two. They both have had an up and down season, wondering how much of that is Markell's inability to commit to a starter. I believe last year he pretty much went with Dusty at the quarter pole, with Heeter getting a token start before Christmas break as the lone game Carlson didn't start. From reading here and following players before they come and after they leave OSU seems Markell has mismanaged quite a lot of talent that has come through Columbus. He seems to know enough to let guys like Dalpe, Bartkowski, Sims and Albert play through mistakes but falls in love with others who cost the team games. Several have pointed out a players who in previous years who continued to take dumb penalties or didn't have the talent and yet kept getting a regular shift, this year is no different. If it leaves the fans shaking their heads you can only imagine the descension it causes in the lockerroom.

 

[THE OHIO STATE]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

Sounds like it was a well played game on Saturday. It seems as if Markell has finally decided upon Carlson as his starter. I have mixed emotions with everyone saying Heeter is the more talented and athletic of the two. They both have had an up and down season, wondering how much of that is Markell's inability to commit to a starter. I believe last year he pretty much went with Dusty at the quarter pole, with Heeter getting a token start before Christmas break as the lone game Carlson didn't start. From reading here and following players before they come and after they leave OSU seems Markell has mismanaged quite a lot of talent that has come through Columbus. He seems to know enough to let guys like Dalpe, Bartkowski, Sims and Albert play through mistakes but falls in love with others who cost the team games. Several have pointed out a players who in previous years who continued to take dumb penalties or didn't have the talent and yet kept getting a regular shift, this year is no different. If it leaves the fans shaking their heads you can only imagine the descension it causes in the lockerroom.

WELL SAID.

I have always said that Dustin Carlson was the best goalie to have in the net when it comes to break-aways , penalty shots and shoot-outs. He proved this again on Saturday night. " EH. "

I also have always said that Cal Heeter was the Goalie to have in the net as the stronger one in 3 regular periods.


" GO BUCKS GO. "

 

[Twisted Wrister]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

Hogan likely out for UM
Word is all OSU games back on radio next season. Pathetic a school this big is the only CCHA team and probably the only D1 team without a radio broadcast, especially when the school as affiliation with TWO radio stations.

GO LAKERS

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

With Hogan out that makes that series alot more interesting.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

So ultimately what's needed is to grow the group of fans that will stick with the team through thick and thin. As has been discussed at various points throughout the year, cultivating such a group is easier said than done. But if large enough, it can be a big part of the solution. At the Schott, the goal for the core fan base should be to fill the lower bowl on a regular basis. If and when an influx of casual fans comes, we take down the curtains and accomodate them upstairs.

The problem with this program is there has been too much "thin" and not enough "thick." If this program was a perennial top ten program in the country or one of the top two or three programs in the CCHA, I believe fans would be willing to deal with an occasional down season (a down season for this program and our resources should mean 5th or 6th, not in the lower half of the CCHA as is the case this season). You're not going to get fans to come out with one NCAA Tournament appearance sandwiched between six seasons of finishing in the lower half of the CCHA.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

The quality of the product on the ice comes first and foremost. For the last four years OSU's attendance average has dropped each season. Something is scaring away the fans that used to come to the games. (Read the first sentence in this paragraph again.)

My sentiments exactly. Fans have grown weary of coming out and supporting a program that has three seasons of being in the lower half of the CCHA followed by a token one-and-done NCAA Tournament appearance, then three more seasons of less-than-mediocre hockey.

 

[pinch]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

Bartkowski's rights dealt to Bruins today

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

They still had tickets available this morning. How sad! We can't even get 800 wanting to go bad enough to sell out right away.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State U. ( 2009-2010 )

They still had tickets available this morning. How sad! We can't even get 800 wanting to go bad enough to sell out right away.

I just took my lunch hour. I went to Ticketmaster and got two tickets for Saturday's game. I am glad I was still able to get tickets, but it's pretty sad that it is Wednesday and we still have not sold 800 tickets (I was actually under the impression that the OSU Ice Rink held 1,000 but I could be wrong about that). Having said that, though, it didn't really surprise me that it had not sold out yet.