The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

[SJHovey]

I went looking for the old thread but I see we managed to lock it up.

Brad S. posted a link to a Paisley story about the upcoming NCHC meetings, and possible changes. I think the one that is most intriguing relates to the NCHC playoffs, and the idea of skipping the first round series and have all 8 teams show up in Minneapolis for a 3 day festival of games. Although the league probably won't come out and say it, such a format eliminates the doomsday scenario of UND, SCSU and UMD all missing the tournament.

But it also has the benefit of letting the teams, and their fans know they will be in Minneapolis, so they can plan accordingly.

I personally love the idea. 4 college hockey games, single elimination, all in one day at one venue. I can't imagine a better day of hockey than that. I think that idea would have a real shot at growing the NCHC tournament into a destination "event" for the fans of these 8 teams.

The plan obviously has some deficiencies. The league misses out on the revenue from all those first round games. You also make the 1st and 2nd place teams in the tournament play 3 games in 3 nights one week before the NCAAs. But from a fan perspective, I am absolutely in favor.

But here is my question. Is it possible to even squeeze in 4 college hockey games in one day in the same venue? MN State High School does it, but their games don't run as long.

Last year the league scheduled games 3 1/2 hours apart in Minneapolis. That was plenty of time, by the way.

Using that format, you'd probably have to have the first game at 10:00 a.m., followed by 1:30, 5:00 and 8:30 p.m. With no overtimes or glitches, you'd be out of there by about 11 p.m. Or, you could kick it all back an hour and be out by midnight, assuming no overtime games.

I think it's a terrific idea, but I don't see the league taking a chance on it.

 

[Biddco]

Re: The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

I don't like the idea. Sure you get all the teams there but it seems like too many games that will run longer than the state tournament does.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

The idea is better than 4 teams. Who's going to travel A) knowing that there is a good chance your team won't make it and B) for just 3 games. Part of the greatness of the Final5 was having enough games to get enthusiastic about.

 

[First Time Long Time]

Re: The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

There was another change idea floated which is the top 4 gets byes, 5 plays 8 6 plays 7 and 6 teams are at the Target Center, and we have the Final Five format.

 

[willythekid]

Re: The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

I feel so much better now that we got a goofer fan's view on this subject... 'cause that's what we care about. Amiright?

 

[SJHovey]

Re: The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

There was another change idea floated which is the top 4 gets byes, 5 plays 8 6 plays 7 and 6 teams are at the Target Center, and we have the Final Five format.

I saw that. To me the trade off of just getting two more teams to the Target Center versus the loss of first round games wasn't enough. It doesn't solve the problem of trying to make it easier for Miami, WMU, DU and CC, and their fans, to plan to come to TC.

Having all 8 teams at TC is not without it's own potential problems. In addition to the scheduling nightmare should a couple of the games go in long OT sessions, the format also doesn't really fit well with any possible expansion of the league. I don't see a scenario whereby the league would play a conference tournament like the Big 10 basketball tournament or anything, so we'd just end up scrapping it altogether if expansion were to occur.

It's probably just the idea of having a single day with 4 college games that has some appeal for me, but as I said, I don't see the league taking that step.

 

[Biddco]

Re: The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

I feel so much better now that we got a goofer fan's view on this subject... 'cause that's what we care about. Amiright?

Nope. Be nice. Other people who are fans of other teams can have opinions too. As long as it is not intended to rile people up or not on topic. This is neither of those.

 

[Dirty]

Re: The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

Nope. Be nice. Other people who are fans of other teams can have opinions too.

Since when? Why wasn't I consulted on this? I definitely would've put the kibosh on such a ridiculous notion.

 

[SCSU BlackandRed]

Re: The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

There was another change idea floated which is the top 4 gets byes, 5 plays 8 6 plays 7 and 6 teams are at the Target Center, and we have the Final Five format.

So are you saying the #5 vs. #8 and #6 vs. #7 take place the weekend where they normally play the first round (higher seed gets home ice) and then reseed, winners play #3 and #4 seeds on Thursday at Target Center with #1 and #2 getting byes into the semis on Friday?

Main question was when and where do they play the initial elimination round. I wouldn't think having those teams all go to Minneapolis for that would make sense.

 

[SJHovey]

Re: The NCHC: Volume II, Season II

So are you saying the #5 vs. #8 and #6 vs. #7 take place the weekend where they normally play the first round (higher seed gets home ice) and then reseed, winners play #3 and #4 seeds on Thursday at Target Center with #1 and #2 getting byes into the semis on Friday?

Main question was when and where do they play the initial elimination round. I wouldn't think having those teams all go to Minneapolis for that would make sense.

As I understand it, 8 plays at 5, 7 at 6, during the old first round weekend. Then we have 6 teams advance to Minneapolis, exactly as we had it at the end of the old WCHA.