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Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

moose97

moose97

New member
BC/BU and UW/UM last year. UM and MSU, UConn/SHU this year, pus maybe a RMU/? game as part of the Winter Classic (and don't forget, there are two outdoor NHL games this year too). Now, add in the latest - St. Ben's/Concordia D-III women's outdoors. When will it end?
 
Re: Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

I don't mind the outdoor games as long as they follow one of two (or both) qualifiers.

A) The game will fill or nearly fill whatever venue they use for it.

B) The game is taking place in conjunction with the Winter Classic.

Under those guidelines, UM/MSU and the RMU game are fine. The other ones, not so much.
 
Re: Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

moose97 said:
BC/BU and UW/UM last year. UM and MSU, UConn/SHU this year, pus maybe a RMU/? game as part of the Winter Classic (and don't forget, there are two outdoor NHL games this year too). Now, add in the latest - St. Ben's/Concordia D-III women's outdoors. When will it end?
Click to expand...

It's getting overplayed. But, the NHL certainly has something in the Winter Classic. No doubt about that. I think that will continue to grow into something awesome. The Uconn/Sacred Heart game is incredibly stupid. With the cost involved, you need to really sell the place out to not lose money. Losing money is bad business and when it becomes bad business we'll see a stop to this trend in D1, IMO.

Is that women's game being played in a football/baseball field or just an existing rink that happens to be outdoors? If they aren't building a special rink in a non-hockey facility then I would say it's almost a reach to call it even newsworthy ("first women's outdoor game in MIAC history"... it's not even the first time women have done it).
 
Re: Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

The game's roots are outdoors, so from the player's perspective and the game's perspective, outdoor games are still cool.

From a spectator's perspective, though, I think you need very attractive teams and fans who are willing to sit in the cold for it, and only in certain combinations of teams, venues and areas would you find enough fans in the venure to justify the $250,000 cost of setting up the ice.

For example, DU playing CC could draw maybe 15,000-20,000 for an outdoor game at 75,000 seat Mile High Stadium on their own (making just enough money to cover costs). A financial wash and some fun for the true fans and players, but the 55,000 empty seats would be no fun. If I were DU and CC, I would want to play on New Years Eve with fireworks and a concert afterwards, then Avs vs Red Wings as the Winter Classic on New Years Day. That way, the NHL picks up the ice costs, and DU and CC could draw maybe 40,000 that way. You could also have a double header on Saturday, but most fans here would not stick around for the college game.
 
Re: Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

my favorate was the Sault Ste. Marie High School game.

My big problem with the winter classic is that it takes place on what is traditionally the biggest day of the year for college football.
 
Re: Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

Laker Hockey said:
My big problem with the winter classic is that it takes place on what is traditionally the biggest day of the year for college football.
Click to expand...

In the early New Years Day timeslot, the Winter Classic has put up very nice TV ratings since many of the the key Bowl games are now played after New Year's Day.
 
Re: Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

Nick Papagiorgio said:
It's getting overplayed. But, the NHL certainly has something in the Winter Classic. No doubt about that. I think that will continue to grow into something awesome. The Uconn/Sacred Heart game is incredibly stupid. With the cost involved, you need to really sell the place out to not lose money. Losing money is bad business and when it becomes bad business we'll see a stop to this trend in D1, IMO.

Is that women's game being played in a football/baseball field or just an existing rink that happens to be outdoors? If they aren't building a special rink in a non-hockey facility then I would say it's almost a reach to call it even newsworthy ("first women's outdoor game in MIAC history"... it's not even the first time women have done it).
Click to expand...

Existing rink that happens to be outdoors. Go St. Ben's!
 
Re: Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

I've changed my mind on this. The more outdoor games the better as far as I'm concerned.
 
Re: Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

One out door series that I think should happen at some point would be an Army vs Air Force game. One year have it at either Army Football Field/Yankee Stadium and another year have it at the Air Force's field. Have extra proceeds from the game help fund jump starting Navy's teams to Varsity.
 
Re: Outdoor hockey has jumped the shark

Nick Papagiorgio said:
The Uconn/Sacred Heart game is incredibly stupid. With the cost involved, you need to really sell the place out to not lose money.
Click to expand...

While that one is stupid and they won't draw much to it... In a meager defense of the organizers in CT, that game is just one of many games to be played on that rink in a publicity event to push for the return of NHL to Hartford (which will likley never happen, IMO). So although not many will attend the UConn/SHU game, the cost of the event will be spread out amongst a number of events. How any of the rest of them will draw is another story altogether.

Side note: Although they haven't yet revived the NHL in Hartford, the Whale is back, in a manner of speaking. The Hartford Wolfpack will become the Connecticut Whalers this season:
"In other news surrounding your Hartford hockey club…

Also, as many have read in local newspapers, or here on Howlings, the last hurdle has been cleared for Howard Baldwin and his Whalers Sports & Entertainment to take over operation of the Hartford Wolf Pack. Larry Gottesdiener and his Northland Investment Corporation’s essentially removed itself from the equation in the operation of the XL Center. They turned over their interests to AEG. Well, it is only a matter of time now, as early as next week, that it should become official. When that happens, the Hartford Wolf Pack will be no more and the new team will be the Connecticut Whalers. The relationship with the Rangers will remain in place. This will be a huge moment for the city of Hartford and for the players as well. With Baldwin running things there should be a renewed interest in the team and making it an event once again. Expect the team to once again start drawing big crowds and become the place to be. Howlings will stay on top of this story."
from → AHL, Hartford Whalers, Hartford Wolf Pack, Hockey
 
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