The Frozen Four

[CLS]

Re: The Frozen Four

If alcohol had been available, fans would have been treated to another of the Garden's charms. They card EVERYBODY, including your great-grandmother, and I believe even some out-of-state drivers'side licenses aren't sufficient.

Another piece of trivia I noticed: the zamboni* drivers were terrible. Couldn'the drive straight to save their lives, and pretty much always left a strip that required an extra pass. Seen better driving at community rinks.

* lower case "z"; they were actually Olympias

 

[Hokydad]

Re: alcohol

While i like the occasional drink, count me as someone who has no problem with them not selling beer. In fact, i'm actually in favor of it. Maybe my perspective is clouded by the small minority of obnoxious drunks but so be it. I like the fact i don't have to worry about it during the games. I am there to watch hockey. Don't see why it's so important to serve beer.

agreed. cant stand drunks around kids.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: The Frozen Four

USUALLY (the Final Five being one of them) tourneys allow for smokers to exit and re-enter. It's usually limited to one exit, but there's no barriers/containment area for them. Lots of people *ahem* go out for a smoke, and come back in. Might be 30 minutes later, but they come back. Ushers will stamp hands in this case (to prevent handing off a ticket).

I'm not a smoker, so maybe I missed that loophole. But speaking only of Frozen Fours, I don't think there's been a pass-out option from 2010 forward. If there has, it's been a closely guarded secret, if not the subject of misinformation! Can't claim crystal clear memories of each of those years individually. But I'm pretty sure there have been annual announcements that's there's no readmission once you leave the building.

I know in Denver 2008, we left and came back, but don't recall if that was an allowed-re-entry situation or not.

St. Louis 2007 had electronic readmission. They scanned your ticket on your way out; they re-scanned before letting you back in. I suppose someone could hand off a ticket under that system, but at least the number of people admitted would equal the number of tickets purchased -- to say nothing of the number of the seats available. Without the scanning or hand stamping, one person could take 4 tickets outside and get 3 new people into the building.

While the "scan-outs" would seem to address the most pressing concerns, another problem is created. You're potentially creating two additional waiting lines during a timeslot as short as 50 minutes. Since outside food won't be allowed back into the building, most of the appealing outside options are eliminated. Well, unless you're willing to miss the early minutes of the second game.

Ultimately, the solution would be to return to two separate semi-final tickets, and clear the building after the first game. But for all the reasons already mentioned, I don't see this one going the fans' way.

 

[satyking]

Re: The Frozen Four

The real problem I see is the NCAA pushes the number of fans it brings to a city when it comes to bidding and then confines all these fans, who would spend for food, drinks etc, to the venue itself denying the merchants of the city a shot at their dollars.......very self serving as I am sure the NCAA get a piece of the concession sales in one form or another

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: The Frozen Four

Re: alcohol

While i like the occasional drink, count me as someone who has no problem with them not selling beer. In fact, i'm actually in favor of it. Maybe my perspective is clouded by the small minority of obnoxious drunks but so be it. I like the fact i don't have to worry about it during the games. I am there to watch hockey. Don't see why it's so important to serve beer.

+1, while most of us can enjoy responsibly, the small few who can't can easily ruin the experience for many. The crowds aren't the same at Bruins games as at the FF, but the number of belligerent drunks in the stands, the concourses, and in the bathrooms can make for an awful experience for those who are there to actually watch their team play their biggest games of the season.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: The Frozen Four

......very self serving as I am sure the NCAA get a piece of the concession sales in one form or another

Don't know how the accounting works. But big picture, I'd imagine the concessions are a meaningful part of the overall "pie." If the size of the pie is reduced, then the parties have to figure out how to raise alternative revenue or decide who accepts a smaller payout. The former would be a challenge; the Frozen Four fanbase is already being charged pretty much what the market will bear. But the latter is even less palatable. Once a revenue source is established, addiction to those $$ comes pretty quickly. So the status quo will most likely continue.

 

[mookie1995]

USUALLY (the Final Five being one of them) tourneys allow for smokers to exit and re-enter. It's usually limited to one exit, but there's no barriers/containment area for them. Lots of people *ahem* go out for a smoke, and come back in. Might be 30 minutes later, but they come back. Ushers will stamp hands in this case (to prevent handing off a ticket).

I know in Denver 2008, we left and came back, but don't recall if that was an allowed-re-entry situation or not.

I did this in st paul.
Went out for "a smoke" and grabbed a beer across the street.

 

[Jaws]

Re: The Frozen Four

This year the smoker option was not available because of the arena being on top of North station. There was no direct exit to street level from the arena proper. I believe St. Louis was the last time there was actually time to grab a bite or a drink and get back to the arena. The time between games was shortened the next year in Denver. We have been held captive ever since. If their intent is to keep me in the building to spend more money, their plan is not working on me.

I'm not a smoker, so maybe I missed that loophole. But speaking only of Frozen Fours, I don't think there's been a pass-out option from 2010 forward. If there has, it's been a closely guarded secret, if not the subject of misinformation! Can't claim crystal clear memories of each of those years individually. But I'm pretty sure there have been annual announcements that's there's no readmission once you leave the building.

St. Louis 2007 had electronic readmission. They scanned your ticket on your way out; they re-scanned before letting you back in. I suppose someone could hand off a ticket under that system, but at least the number of people admitted would equal the number of tickets purchased -- to say nothing of the number of the seats available. Without the scanning or hand stamping, one person could take 4 tickets outside and get 3 new people into the building.

While the "scan-outs" would seem to address the most pressing concerns, another problem is created. You're potentially creating two additional waiting lines during a timeslot as short as 50 minutes. Since outside food won't be allowed back into the building, most of the appealing outside options are eliminated. Well, unless you're willing to miss the early minutes of the second game.

Ultimately, the solution would be to return to two separate semi-final tickets, and clear the building after the first game. But for all the reasons already mentioned, I don't see this one going the fans' way.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: The Frozen Four

I don't know about other conferences but both the Beanpot and Hockey East, and the first night of regionals are two-game/one ticket/no re-entry type of tournaments. Why do people act like this is something that is only happening at the Frozen Four and that this is so new? When I first started going to the then-Final Four, it was a two-game/one ticket situation.

 

[walrus]

Re: The Frozen Four

Re: alcohol

While i like the occasional drink, count me as someone who has no problem with them not selling beer. In fact, i'm actually in favor of it. Maybe my perspective is clouded by the small minority of obnoxious drunks but so be it. I like the fact i don't have to worry about it during the games. I am there to watch hockey. Don't see why it's so important to serve beer.

Agreed, no problem with a drink or 2, most folks seem to go overboard at a sporting event so I have no issue with no alcohol served in inside

 

[satyking]

Re: The Frozen Four

I don't know about other conferences but both the Beanpot and Hockey East, and the first night of regionals are two-game/one ticket/no re-entry type of tournaments. Why do people act like this is something that is only happening at the Frozen Four and that this is so new? When I first started going to the then-Final Four, it was a two-game/one ticket situation.

I think 2006 in Milwaukee was the last 2 ticket Thursday, I know in Buffalo there was 2 and remember the place we ate at in 2003, I do think we ate out in Boston after that, I am sure some of the regular NCAA followers will add to this

 

[Scarlet]

I think 2006 in Milwaukee was the last 2 ticket Thursday, I know in Buffalo there was 2 and remember the place we ate at in 2003, I do think we ate out in Boston after that, I am sure some of the regular NCAA followers will add to this

We already had this conversation - I posted earlier that I dig up my ticket stubs, etc. That's not what I commented on. Going to the two game/one ticket is not new. That's how it was at my first Final Four in 1990. That's how other tournaments are set up. Why are people so up in arms over it for the Frozen Four? Conference tournaments are usually two game/one ticket. The regionals are like that. People here are complaining like they've never been in a situation like this before.

 

[CLS]

Re: The Frozen Four

We already had this conversation - I posted earlier that I dig up my ticket stubs, etc. That's not what I commented on. Going to the two game/one ticket is not new. That's how it was at my first Final Four in 1990. That's how other tournaments are set up. Why are people so up in arms over it for the Frozen Four? Conference tournaments are usually two game/one ticket. The regionals are like that. People here are complaining like they've never been in a situation like this before.

Haven't been to a HE game for a while, but don'the they serve beer? Doesn' t help you on food, but does with beer.

 

[satyking]

Re: The Frozen Four

We already had this conversation - I posted earlier that I dig up my ticket stubs, etc. That's not what I commented on. Going to the two game/one ticket is not new. That's how it was at my first Final Four in 1990. .

I believe you are wrong as in 2003 Buffalo we went to Chefs for dinner between game 1 & 2 with a separate ticket to both

 

[mookie1995]

I believe you are wrong as in 2003 Buffalo we went to Chefs for dinner between game 1 & 2 with a separate ticket to both

Yup. Buffalo was my first. Morning game was around lunch. Then we had a couple hours and the 2nd semi final was near dinnertime.

I recall a function held at the baseball field during intermission too (I did not attend that)

 

[Hoover]

Re: The Frozen Four

Re: alcohol

While i like the occasional drink, count me as someone who has no problem with them not selling beer. In fact, i'm actually in favor of it. Maybe my perspective is clouded by the small minority of obnoxious drunks but so be it. I like the fact i don't have to worry about it during the games. I am there to watch hockey. Don't see why it's so important to serve beer.

I agree; I can enjoy a game (or 2) without beer and have no problem that it's not available during the Frozen Four. There are always some in every crowd who drink too much and annoy those within earshot with their big mouths. They're also always getting up for more and bothering everyone in their seating row (and those a couple of rows behind also who can't see when they get up). One of the things I enjoy about the FF is that everyone is there to enjoy the games, whether or not "their" team is playing. Living near Toronto, I go to Leafs games occasionally (with free tickets only...NOT a Toronto fan!) and I think the atmosphere and experience of NCAA hockey is much better and more fun.

I do think I'd like to be able to leave the rink between games, if for nothing else than to stretch my legs and walk around a bit. Trying to navigate the concourse during the break between games is extremely frustrating with bathroom/concession lines crossing the entire area and people stopping in the middle in large groups just to talk. I'd rather just sit in my seat...

 

[Scarlet]

I believe you are wrong as in 2003 Buffalo we went to Chefs for dinner between game 1 & 2 with a separate ticket to both

Huh? How am I wrong? I never said it was 2 games/1 ticket for 2003. Did you read my post?

 

[LTsatch]

Re: The Frozen Four

At the ECAC tourney in Lake Placid, beer was sold and did not seem to be an issue.

 

[rufus]

Re: The Frozen Four

I have no problems with them not serving beer, but then again, I'm not 24 anymore nor a functioning alcoholic. I just don't see the need for why every event or occasion has to revolve around alcohol, and why often times, such events are used by so many only as an excuse or reason to drink. And as others have mentioned, the whole people running back and forth from their seats all game long to fetch more beer is extremely annoying.

It is possible to have a good time and enjoy yourself at something without alcohol being involved.

OK, old guy done yelling at kids to get off his lawn.

 

[ericredaxe]

Re: The Frozen Four

+1, while most of us can enjoy responsibly, the small few who can't can easily ruin the experience for many. The crowds aren't the same at Bruins games as at the FF, but the number of belligerent drunks in the stands, the concourses, and in the bathrooms can make for an awful experience for those who are there to actually watch their team play their biggest games of the season.

None of us are advocating for belligerent drunks, but has there been a noticeable problem with alcohol being served at The Beanpot? Hockey East? Agganis?