Squarebanks
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really?
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The New WCHA (2013-14)
- Thread starter aparch
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really?
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
I probably deserved that one. Which of the two do you think will do better in the new league? Alaska's record has been a bit better, but generally I'd say the bottom of the WCHA has been stronger than the bottom of the CCHA, this year notwithstanding.
I probably deserved that one. Which of the two do you think will do better in the new league? Alaska's record has been a bit better, but generally I'd say the bottom of the WCHA has been stronger than the bottom of the CCHA, this year notwithstanding.
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
I'm just being realistic; a lot of non-conference games (without going on the road more than being at home) is going to be difficult for Mankato
How is it whining to recognize that it will likely be difficult to get those named teams to come to Mankato often, if at all? I'll be very surprised in UND is ever in Mankato again. The Gophers plan is to play the other Minnesota schools in a tournament in the Cities. If they do come to Mankato, it will be once in every three or four years. The other two mentioned, UMD and SCSU, I don't know how they're going to look at scheduling us. You brought up Omaha; yeah, we always played them every year on a balanced basis, even before the "Spirit of the Maverick Trophy" competition. However, that started when Omaha was not viewed as anything special. Now that Blais has joined the "like-minded programs" will he want to continue a one-for-one non-conference series with Mankato? Time will tell, I guess.
I'm just being realistic; a lot of non-conference games (without going on the road more than being at home) is going to be difficult for Mankato
gfmorris
New member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
The Von Braun Center has said that scheduling won't be a problem going forward. They understand that our start times were seen as a negative [because they are] when we applied to the CCHA three years ago. Coming within an eyelash of losing the program seems to have changed some priorities.
GFM
The Von Braun Center has said that scheduling won't be a problem going forward. They understand that our start times were seen as a negative [because they are] when we applied to the CCHA three years ago. Coming within an eyelash of losing the program seems to have changed some priorities.
GFM
gfmorris
New member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
I just know that we've flown to Mankato in the past. I don't think that flying there makes sense other than not wanting to have road legs, at which point, let's fly everywhere!
GFM
I just know that we've flown to Mankato in the past. I don't think that flying there makes sense other than not wanting to have road legs, at which point, let's fly everywhere!
GFM
SCSU Euro
New member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
SCSU I've heard may not schedule Mankato but its due to being upset about Mankato changing details of a home and home agreement. Hope that's just a rumor or they work it out.
And I'd bet the farm UNO plays MSU-M. Old rival in hockey, rival in other sports, one of the closer (closest?) teams to UNO, and UNO should have an ok SOS, from their standpoint probably hoping for some Ws there. The Maverick Stampede will be back on.
SCSU I've heard may not schedule Mankato but its due to being upset about Mankato changing details of a home and home agreement. Hope that's just a rumor or they work it out.
And I'd bet the farm UNO plays MSU-M. Old rival in hockey, rival in other sports, one of the closer (closest?) teams to UNO, and UNO should have an ok SOS, from their standpoint probably hoping for some Ws there. The Maverick Stampede will be back on.
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
I can't really speak for Mankato's possible non-conference schedule, but from a BSU fan perspective, I like having a possible 12-16 non-conference games to work with. There are certainly going to be better years than others, but BSU always had UND and UMD come to their arena before they were in the WCHA, and I believe that will continue because of the proximity. I also think that SCSU will be more inclined to come here finding close non-con games for their fans to travel to. Throw in a trip from the Gophers every 2-3 years up there and its not so bad. Perhaps then an eastern team could make a trip here for some return visit to get BSU some exposure out East?
This is why I like having the Alaska teams, we have those extra 4 games to work with if we fly there twice a year.
I do think that we will see a group of teams rise to the top year in and year out, who that is, remains to be seen. My bet would be NMU, BSU, MSU-M and TECH, but all of these teams are more competitive than most people give them credit for.
As for why UAH would be good? because it makes it 10, we save a program, and what player doesn't want to go to Alabama in January?
I can't really speak for Mankato's possible non-conference schedule, but from a BSU fan perspective, I like having a possible 12-16 non-conference games to work with. There are certainly going to be better years than others, but BSU always had UND and UMD come to their arena before they were in the WCHA, and I believe that will continue because of the proximity. I also think that SCSU will be more inclined to come here finding close non-con games for their fans to travel to. Throw in a trip from the Gophers every 2-3 years up there and its not so bad. Perhaps then an eastern team could make a trip here for some return visit to get BSU some exposure out East?
This is why I like having the Alaska teams, we have those extra 4 games to work with if we fly there twice a year.
I do think that we will see a group of teams rise to the top year in and year out, who that is, remains to be seen. My bet would be NMU, BSU, MSU-M and TECH, but all of these teams are more competitive than most people give them credit for.
As for why UAH would be good? because it makes it 10, we save a program, and what player doesn't want to go to Alabama in January?
beaverhockeyfan
Well-known member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
Or fan? That is one road trip I may have my wife talked into. I have made the trip four times in the past and would love to again.
Or fan? That is one road trip I may have my wife talked into. I have made the trip four times in the past and would love to again.
SCSU Euro
New member
Initial reports are you'd get the Gophers at Sanford one out of every four years, whichever year you're not in the MN tourney at the X. The other three years you'll be at Mariucci twice and the other you'll be scheduled to play them in the first game of that tourney.
bronconick
Yep, still here
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
The threat of the Big Ten schools going off together and spending everyone else into the dirt was always there. It seems Minnesota's doing plenty to mitigate that, especially compared to Wisconsin and the Michigan schools publicly so far. Maybe I've gotten more meh about that because it's what they've done in basketball and football from the viewpoint of another D1 school.
As far as the NCHC schools go, sure, CC and Denver are probably gone, but from what WCHA fans say, it's not exactly a damaging blow to attendance or interest. As to the rest, with the spread out nature of that conference, why wouldn't those schools want to continue home and home series with nearby non-conference teams? Look past the "like minded" nonsense that's such a burr around here. There's no outside influx of money. The only new money in the sport is schools internally choosing to raise their budgets. That means not exploding the travel budget any more then it already is and not demanding home series only from schools since the price will be heftier then it has been in the past.
I would bet a majority of WMU's noncon games are vs. schools in the state of Michigan+BG as a MAC school. Miami will be doing something similar. UMD and SCSU will probably use most of their non-con schedules to play other Minnesota schools, UND will probably throw a series or two in as will UNO.
There aren't any new Eastern teams to fill all these new games. In fact, the west is losing Notre Dame in this process. The only way your school is going to be playing all road games like you fear is if your leadership throws your fans under the bus.
The threat of the Big Ten schools going off together and spending everyone else into the dirt was always there. It seems Minnesota's doing plenty to mitigate that, especially compared to Wisconsin and the Michigan schools publicly so far. Maybe I've gotten more meh about that because it's what they've done in basketball and football from the viewpoint of another D1 school.
As far as the NCHC schools go, sure, CC and Denver are probably gone, but from what WCHA fans say, it's not exactly a damaging blow to attendance or interest. As to the rest, with the spread out nature of that conference, why wouldn't those schools want to continue home and home series with nearby non-conference teams? Look past the "like minded" nonsense that's such a burr around here. There's no outside influx of money. The only new money in the sport is schools internally choosing to raise their budgets. That means not exploding the travel budget any more then it already is and not demanding home series only from schools since the price will be heftier then it has been in the past.
I would bet a majority of WMU's noncon games are vs. schools in the state of Michigan+BG as a MAC school. Miami will be doing something similar. UMD and SCSU will probably use most of their non-con schedules to play other Minnesota schools, UND will probably throw a series or two in as will UNO.
There aren't any new Eastern teams to fill all these new games. In fact, the west is losing Notre Dame in this process. The only way your school is going to be playing all road games like you fear is if your leadership throws your fans under the bus.
Squarebanks
New member
This year notwithstanding, how often has UAF been at "the bottom" of the CCHA in the last five years?
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
I think UAH needs should be brought in. The greedy, elitist ******** in the NCHC aren't going to help. The big ten by definition cannot.
I'd rather be a part of a league that is willing to work for the good of college hockey as a whole any day over the NCHC. It's one series, costs be ****ed. We're paying 250k a year for a coach. We can afford a flight to Huntsville.
I think UAH needs should be brought in. The greedy, elitist ******** in the NCHC aren't going to help. The big ten by definition cannot.
I'd rather be a part of a league that is willing to work for the good of college hockey as a whole any day over the NCHC. It's one series, costs be ****ed. We're paying 250k a year for a coach. We can afford a flight to Huntsville.
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
It depends on the definition of "the bottom". I'm not sure what TheEagle meant, but typically in WCHA land we count "the bottom" as the bottom half. Using that definition, Alaska has been in the bottom of the CCHA 3 of the last 5 years (not counting this year). That being said, Alaska has an improving program that made the NCAAs just two years ago, and I would not be surprised if they were a constant threat for the NCAAs in the new WCHA.
It depends on the definition of "the bottom". I'm not sure what TheEagle meant, but typically in WCHA land we count "the bottom" as the bottom half. Using that definition, Alaska has been in the bottom of the CCHA 3 of the last 5 years (not counting this year). That being said, Alaska has an improving program that made the NCAAs just two years ago, and I would not be surprised if they were a constant threat for the NCAAs in the new WCHA.
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
With a 28 games schedule, you will have 8-10 non conference games to work with. 6 to bring you up to 34 +2 for each trip to Alaska, which in some seasons will be two trips.
With a 28 games schedule, you will have 8-10 non conference games to work with. 6 to bring you up to 34 +2 for each trip to Alaska, which in some seasons will be two trips.
Jimjamesak
Already insane, UAA making it worse
I will say that UAA is 7-4-1 against UAF in the last five years.
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
UNO has played Mankato every year of the UNO's existence. They are the only team that UNO has played every year. They are, by far, the closest D-1 program to UNO and it's an easy (and cheap) bus trip up there. So easy, in fact, that before we were conference mates this series was home and home on the same weekend on 3 occasions, even, ('04, '05' & '09). Even if you discount games that have now been played between the two schools as conference mates, other than UNO's old CCHA conference foes, UNO has played Mankato more times than any other team including any other team in the current WCHA.
I don't think UNO is going to give up on this one and it wouldn't make a lot of sense to do so. There is a lot of history here, particularly for a program like UNO that doesn't have a lot of it in the first place. To me, this is a scheduling no-brainer for UNO and Mankato. And, just like it is easy for UNO to get there, it's also easy for UNO fans and (ahem) tickets are not hard to get in Mankato, either (or expensive). If UNO drops this series, I, for one, will not be pleased.
UNO has played Mankato every year of the UNO's existence. They are the only team that UNO has played every year. They are, by far, the closest D-1 program to UNO and it's an easy (and cheap) bus trip up there. So easy, in fact, that before we were conference mates this series was home and home on the same weekend on 3 occasions, even, ('04, '05' & '09). Even if you discount games that have now been played between the two schools as conference mates, other than UNO's old CCHA conference foes, UNO has played Mankato more times than any other team including any other team in the current WCHA.
I don't think UNO is going to give up on this one and it wouldn't make a lot of sense to do so. There is a lot of history here, particularly for a program like UNO that doesn't have a lot of it in the first place. To me, this is a scheduling no-brainer for UNO and Mankato. And, just like it is easy for UNO to get there, it's also easy for UNO fans and (ahem) tickets are not hard to get in Mankato, either (or expensive). If UNO drops this series, I, for one, will not be pleased.
Squarebanks
New member
And I will say that UAF is all square with UAA at 4-4 since Ferguson took over. Little early for the 2013 GC War of Words though.
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
That is what I meant, and Alaska has been in the bottom half six of the last nine years. However, the bottom half comment wasn't really about Alaska, it was about the teams at the bottom half of the standings in the two conferences. I could be wrong, but it seems like the WCHA generally has had more depth than the CCHA.
That is what I meant, and Alaska has been in the bottom half six of the last nine years. However, the bottom half comment wasn't really about Alaska, it was about the teams at the bottom half of the standings in the two conferences. I could be wrong, but it seems like the WCHA generally has had more depth than the CCHA.
aparch
Well-known member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
That's about what I figured the Minnesota Tourney would be. Not a 1-for-1 agreement, but sounds like it's the best deal of the departing schools.
So they lose 4 non-conference games, and continue "playing" the local schools. The WCHA schools only burn through two non-conference games allowing another 4 for sure (before the Alaska "games" kick in).
Michigan and Michigan State already have the GLI, along with MTU. That's pretty much going to continue on forever.
While I'd like to see NMU get a similar tourney invited, I would like to see long term non-conference scheduling agreements with UNO and tOSU. Those two schools have a long history with NMU, and would make for great teams to continue playing against.
But... a West Michigan Showcase with NMU, FSU, LSSU, WMU would be a good idea too... Not sure how to break it up, but with three WCHA schools, have (WCHA) vs WMU, (WCHA) vs invited team, and WMU plays the uninvited WCHA team in regular Non-Conf games.
Maybe make Notre Dame the invited team? Think of the potential PWR boost (or anchor) this could provide!
That's about what I figured the Minnesota Tourney would be. Not a 1-for-1 agreement, but sounds like it's the best deal of the departing schools.
So they lose 4 non-conference games, and continue "playing" the local schools. The WCHA schools only burn through two non-conference games allowing another 4 for sure (before the Alaska "games" kick in).
Michigan and Michigan State already have the GLI, along with MTU. That's pretty much going to continue on forever.
While I'd like to see NMU get a similar tourney invited, I would like to see long term non-conference scheduling agreements with UNO and tOSU. Those two schools have a long history with NMU, and would make for great teams to continue playing against.
But... a West Michigan Showcase with NMU, FSU, LSSU, WMU would be a good idea too... Not sure how to break it up, but with three WCHA schools, have (WCHA) vs WMU, (WCHA) vs invited team, and WMU plays the uninvited WCHA team in regular Non-Conf games.
Maybe make Notre Dame the invited team? Think of the potential PWR boost (or anchor) this could provide!
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