The New WCHA (2013-14)

[SCSU Euro]

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.

I'd go as far to say that if the WCHA ends up going with a 24 or less game conference schedule and MSU-M and UNO struggle at all filling ooc dates (or not getting opponents they want) that this could eventually become a 4-game Stampede.

 

[aparch]

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.

They're both fairly even.

Here's the standings from the last six years of the New WCHA members using the WCHA points method (no shootout, no 3 point games)

2005-06	Team			W-L-T	Pts	NewWCHA
4	Northern Michigan	14-12-2	30	1
6	Lake Superior		11-12-5	27	2
6	Ferris State		10-11-7	27	2
7	Minnesota State		12-13-3	27	2
6	Alaska			11-13-4	26	5
12	Bowling Green		8-18-2	18	6
8	Michigan Tech.		6-16-6	18	6
10	Alaska-Anchorage	4-21-3	11	8

2006-07	Team			W-L-T	Pts	NewWCHA
6	Michigan Tech.		11-12-5	27	1
8	Lake Superior		11-14-3	25	2
8	Minnesota State		10-13-5	25	3
9	Ferris State		10-16-2	22	4
10	Northern Michigan	10-17-1	21	5
11	Alaska			7-16-5	19	6
10	Alaska-Anchorage	8-19-1	17	7
12	Bowling Green		5-22-1	11	8

2007-08	Team			W-L-T	Pts	NewWCHA
5	Ferris State		12-12-4	28	1
4	Minnesota State		12-12-4	28	1
6	Northern Michigan	12-13-3	27	3
7	Bowling Green		13-15-0	26	4
9	Michigan Tech.		9-15-4	22	5
9	Alaska			8-16-4	20	6
9	Lake Superior		7-15-6	20	6
10	Alaska-Anchorage	3-19-6	12	8

2008-09	Team			W-L-T	Pts	NewWCHA
4	Alaska			13-10-5	31	1
6	Northern Michigan	11-12-5	27	2
8	Minnesota State		11-13-4	26	3
9	Ferris State		9-14-5	23	4
9	Alaska-Anchorage	9-14-5	23	4
10	Lake Superior		7-15-6	20	6
12	Bowling Green		8-19-1	17	7
10	Michigan Tech.		2-19-7	11	8

2009-10	Team			W-L-T	Pts	NewWCHA
3	Ferris State		13-9-6	32	1
4	Northern Michigan	13-9-6	32	1
5	Alaska			11-9-8	30	3
10	Lake Superior		10-15-3	23	4
8	Alaska-Anchorage	9-17-2	20	5
8	Minnesota State		9-17-2	20	5
11	Bowling Green		4-18-6	14	7
10	Michigan Tech.		4-24-0	8	8

2010-11	Team			W-L-T	Pts	NewWCHA
5	Ferris State		12-12-4	28	1
6	Northern Michigan	12-13-3	27	2
8	Alaska-Anchorage	12-14-2	26	3
7	Alaska			10-13-5	25	4
8	Lake Superior		8-12-8	24	5
10	Bemidji State		8-15-5	21	6
11	Minnesota State		8-16-4	20	7
11	Bowling Green		3-21-4	10	8
12	Michigan Tech.		2-24-2	6	9

2011-12	Team			W-L-T	Pts	NewWCHA
1	Ferris State		16-7-5	37	1
6	Northern Michigan	11-11-6	28	2
7	Lake Superior		11-13-4	26	3
8	Michigan Tech.		11-13-4	26	3
9	Bemidji State		11-14-3	25	5
10	Alaska			8-16-4	20	6
11	Minnesota State		8-18-2	18	7
11	Bowling Green		5-19-4	14	8
12	Alaska-Anchorage	5-22-1	11	9

 

[aparch]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

I'd go as far to say that if the WCHA ends up going with a 24 or less game conference schedule and MSU-M and UNO struggle at all filling ooc dates (or not getting opponents they want) that this could eventually become a 4-game Stampede.

I'm pretty sure they're sticking with a 28 game conference schedule. It's been documented a few times that it will remain that way. I think the boost of always having the Alaskan two game bonus coupled with the potential four game bonus every couple of years will allow enough non-conference games.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

I just hope that the new WCHA teams continue to stand strong and either demand equal return trips or a massive payout to travel to the Colorado schools.

 

[aparch]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

I just hope that the new WCHA teams continue to stand strong and either demand equal return trips or a massive payout to travel to the Colorado schools.

I have a hunch that's what we'll see happen. But, it could turn out where they'll never make a reciprocal trip back, and just pay for the WCHA teams to come out to visit.

Kinda like NoDak is already doing to NMU for next season.

 

[davyd83]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

I have a hunch that's what we'll see happen. But, it could turn out where they'll never make a reciprocal trip back, and just pay for the WCHA teams to come out to visit.

Kinda like NoDak is already doing to NMU for next season.

NMU isn't going to North Dakota next season. NMU's non-conference opponents are Tech, St. Cloud, Wisconsin and Nebraska-Omaha. NMU will got to North Dakota in the 2013-14 season.

 

[aparch]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

NMU isn't going to North Dakota next season. NMU's non-conference opponents are Tech, St. Cloud, Wisconsin and Nebraska-Omaha. NMU will got to North Dakota in the 2013-14 season.

That's right, forgot about that. Either way, it still stands that NoDak is already pulling what we figured would happen.

 

[davyd83]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

That's right, forgot about that. Either way, it still stands that NoDak is already pulling what we figured would happen.

I wouldn't call it "pulling" anything. In the end, it will be far better financially for NMU to play a one time deal at Grand Forks, than to swap series even up.

 

[stuckinwi]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

I wouldn't call it "pulling" anything. In the end, it will be far better financially for NMU to play a one time deal at Grand Forks, than to swap series even up.

Perhaps, but I think the issue here that leaves a bad taste in my mouth is it's just another way that UND, DU, etc. are saying that they are better than the rest of us and looking down on what's left of the WCHA. I'd rather see a home and home any day over a paid one way ticket.

But if that's the way non-conference games will be going forward... Then that money can be used to travel to UAH. Problem solved. Next issue

 

[davyd83]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

Perhaps, but I think the issue here that leaves a bad taste in my mouth is it's just another way that UND, DU, etc. are saying that they are better than the rest of us and looking down on what's left of the WCHA. I'd rather see a home and home any day over a paid one way ticket.

But if that's the way non-conference games will be going forward... Then that money can be used to travel to UAH. Problem solved. Next issue

Or it can be used for recruiting, equipment, assistant salaries...etc...and don't forget, the dollars taken in from the "money games" don't necessarily go directly to the hockey budget. It may go to the Department of Athletics, with a portion being redistributed to hockey.

 

[stuckinwi]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

Or it can be used for recruiting, equipment, assistant salaries...etc...

of course, that was a bit sarcastic. I still don't see adding UAH as that big of an issue and hope that the WCHA does add them. I think the positives outweigh the negatives.

 

[giwan]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

of course, that was a bit sarcastic. I still don't see adding UAH as that big of an issue and hope that the WCHA does add them. I think the positives outweigh the negatives.

Still waiting to see more positives and negatives mentioned. Will sum the up shortly, though without knowing financials I believe there are more positives.

I also see nothing wrong with the "claimed" better schools having to pay. The point being make them pay enough and THAT is where the conference needs to stay strong. If the other schools just go for whoever will be the lowest bid willing to travel then the league as a whole will be hurt.

 

[Almington]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

That's right, forgot about that. Either way, it still stands that NoDak is already pulling what we figured would happen.

The teams with the larger home arenas have typically used large financial incentives to counter the need to make a return trip. Didn't UW do a similar thing with NMU requiring that the @NMU games be played in GB?

 

[Red Cows]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

I'd go as far to say that if the WCHA ends up going with a 24 or less game conference schedule and MSU-M and UNO struggle at all filling ooc dates (or not getting opponents they want) that this could eventually become a 4-game Stampede.

While I think this is and will be an issue for Mankato, I don't think it is or will be for UNO, at least, not to the extent it will be for Mankato. Getting OOC dates, that is.

UNO (you guys, too) will have the benefit of playing in what will be a high RPI conference with mostly "name brand" teams (with maybe UNO being somewhere near the bottom of that totem pole--let's face it) being in it. Other teams will want to schedule games with NCHC teams as potential opponents because of those factors, I think.

Additionally, Omaha is a major metropolitan area serviced by 6 major airlines, Amtrak, all major bus lines, as well as some charter jet airline services, and is located on the only coast-to-coast interstate highway in the country. It isn't hard or expensive in most cases to get here. There are a ton of D-1 programs that cannot make this claim. Proximity and ease of travel count. Just ask the either Alaska team about that, or, UAH.

 

[aparch]

The teams with the larger home arenas have typically used large financial incentives to counter the need to make a return trip. Didn't UW do a similar thing with NMU requiring that the @NMU games be played in GB?

From how I understand it, Wisconsin didn't want to go to Marquette, but NMU wanted to get a financial bump at the gate by hosting Wisconsin, so they offered to host Wisconsin at the Resch Center.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

of course the problem with hockey is all the equipment required...

Actually not always. Depends on the airplane. the Dornier is fast but has limited baggage and couldn't do it, but there are other airplanes that hold around the same number or slightly more, can carry the bags, and at the same time burn less fuel. The Dornier is a relative fuel hog, but it does go fast. Really shipping the bags is no big deal though.I'll be happy to provide anyone who wants with more detail.

 

[Bale]

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.

I'm pretty sure that there is already a tentative scheduling agreement with MSU/SCSU/MN at this point. From what the MSU administration has said, there are just a few details to be worked out for MN to play a home-and-home for 3 years and the 4th year MSU would play 2 at MN. I'm assuming for that to work, SCSU would also have to be involved in the same fashion.

 

[Bale]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

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

Why are you convinced that it's going to be so hard to get other schools to come to MSU? Sure, SOME of the bigger schools will take that angle, but not all of them. Frankly, the only larger schools that are MSU will be losing games with are MN and UND. MSU admin has already talked about how MN is trying to work coming to Kato into their schedule on a yearly (3 out of 4) basis and UND (and UMD as well)is going to be working to get to Kato as well. No one in Kato cares about WI, DU, or CC. They don't add anything to the attendance so it doesn't really matter all that much. Most other schools realize that they have to sign a 2-year scheduling contract. Those that don't have never been to Kato anyway. MSU's program is not going to end. It will be fine, we just need to adjust.

 

[Almington]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

From how I understand it, Wisconsin didn't want to go to Marquette, but NMU wanted to get a financial bump at the gate by hosting Wisconsin, so they offered to host Wisconsin at the Resch Center.

Still sucks for NMU to lose 2 home dates that effectively become away games, but I suspect that even after costs are deducted, the 2 games at GB are no worse than a pair of home games revenue-wise.

 

[aparch]

Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)

Still sucks for NMU to lose 2 home dates that effectively become away games, but I suspect that even after costs are deducted, the 2 games at GB are no worse than a pair of home games revenue-wise.

I think it's been a good venture for the University, considering they're doing it again this season. That, and MTU's history of hosting regional games, I think it must be a good deal for the Resch to be rented by MTU and NMU.