The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

[Alaska Hockey]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

Bessemer is 139 miles from Marquette. Please tell me what makes you or your town any better than Marquette.

Road Trip town for the guy’s mmmmmm........ Club Paris, Great Alaska Bush Company, and if you are really lucky the UAA Coaches Luncheon is on the calendar that Friday @ 11:30. If you got better I will pencil you in for a future road trip.

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

I have mixed thoughts on the whole streaming internet thing. While I am happy there is an outlet for ALL league games, I am a little upset, like Moose, that all summer they keep touting free, free, free. Now, here we are about to start the season and there is a cost associated to it. I realize the deal with FoxSports fell through late, but I can't see FoxSports offering it for free out of the goodness of their heart, there had to be some money/advertising involved. I think something could/should have been worked out with AmericaOne. I have said it before on here and I will say it again, if the NSIC, a D-II league, can get all of their games in ALL sports online for free, then the WCHA should be able to pull it off as well.

I probably won't be buying the package. If I am not at a Bemidji home game, I will be watching it on Lakeland Public TV. When the Beavers are on the road, I can listen to the Schultzie on the Beaver Radio Network and spend time doing things with the kiddos. I just don't think I will have the time to watch other league games, whether live or on demand.

 

[Flashy Man]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

I have mixed thoughts on the whole streaming internet thing. While I am happy there is an outlet for ALL league games, I am a little upset, like Moose, that all summer they keep touting free, free, free. Now, here we are about to start the season and there is a cost associated to it. I realize the deal with FoxSports fell through late, but I can't see FoxSports offering it for free out of the goodness of their heart, there had to be some money/advertising involved. I think something could/should have been worked out with AmericaOne. I have said it before on here and I will say it again, if the NSIC, a D-II league, can get all of their games in ALL sports online for free, then the WCHA should be able to pull it off as well.

I probably won't be buying the package. If I am not at a Bemidji home game, I will be watching it on Lakeland Public TV. When the Beavers are on the road, I can listen to the Schultzie on the Beaver Radio Network and spend time doing things with the kiddos. I just don't think I will have the time to watch other league games, whether live or on demand.

I don't think the league ever publicly proclaimed "Free! Free! Free!" Local reporters managed to wrestle information from their programs about their attempts at establishing such a service though. It's a bit like when it was going around that BGSU and others were exploring joining forces with some east coast teams.

 

[geezer]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

I have been in Seattle before, therefore I must assume that Alaska sucks.

 

[moose97]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

I don't think the league ever publicly proclaimed "Free! Free! Free!" Local reporters managed to wrestle information from their programs about their attempts at establishing such a service though.

I don't recall it being "wrestled" from any league official, rather the info put out by several, and in quotes, very willingly.

It's a bit like when it was going around that BGSU and others were exploring joining forces with some east coast teams.

Really? Sure, there were "reports," but I don't remember, oh, say, the AD or President of the Univ saying they were starting a new conference, then back-peddling, do you?

http://www.sent-trib.com/bgsu-sports/bgsu-hockey-still-mulling-wcha-decision-09-07-11

 

[UMDSexTornadoHockey]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

Sorry if this has been addressed elswhere.

I am attempting to purchase my $125 package, and i am under the impression that this includes "every" wcha game. But when i say i want the season pass it makes me choose a team. I dont want just Maverick games, because i will be at 3/4 of them in person. I want the rest of the league.

If i purchase the $125 pass will i have access to All WCHA games, or just the team i select?

Thoughts?

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

Sorry if this has been addressed elswhere.

I am attempting to purchase my $125 package, and i am under the impression that this includes "every" wcha game. But when i say i want the season pass it makes me choose a team. I dont want just Maverick games, because i will be at 3/4 of them in person. I want the rest of the league.

If i purchase the $125 pass will i have access to All WCHA games, or just the team i select?

Thoughts?

I'm guessing the team selection is about who gets the larger chunk of profits from that individual.

 

[UMDSexTornadoHockey]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

I am talking about this page:

http://www.americaonesports.com/package_wcha.asp

 

[mmf]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

I am talking about this page:

http://www.americaonesports.com/package_wcha.asp

I had the same initial concern. But the WCHA news release says: "All passes include on-demand viewing. Any pass purchased will allow fans to watch all WCHA events played in WCHA venues during that time period." And even at the top of the page you are linking to it says: "Even when your favorite team is idle, log in through your pass to watch all the WCHA games LIVE."

But I have been hood-winked before. Hope this is what I think it is.

 

[aparch]

I'm guessing the team selection is about who gets the larger chunk of profits from that individual.

That's what I was thinking too.

 

[Squarebanks]

I have been in Seattle before, therefore I must assume that Alaska sucks.

The Alaska Lodge bar at Sea-Tac Airport doesn't count.

 

[Jimjamesak]

I have been in Seattle before, therefore I must assume that Alaska sucks.

I disagree with both statements sir. Please state your arguments.

 

[geezer]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

The Alaska Lodge bar at Sea-Tac Airport doesn't count.

It was a lame attempt at humor.* We actually spent our honeymoon** cruising Alaska/inside passage and I spent some time afterwards trying to convince my wife that we should move to Sitka... probably the most beautiful place I've ever been. It didn't happen, but we'll be back someday soon.

*based on judging the merits of Marquette by the evidence of Bessemer, Michigan...

**granted my view may have been... colored... if not obstructed, by the circumstances of our wonderful visit to that wonderful state...

 

[hattrick16]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

I too am very disappointed with the $150 cost for this season's WCHA action. I was excited about the free offer and the potential to grow the new leagues fan base and encourage even the casual fan to tune in to catch some great hockey. Since the WCHA package is roughly the same price as buying season tickets to watch the games in person I won't be spending the money. I guess I'll just have to settle for my radio feeds and all the free college hockey that I'll be getting on Big Ten Network, NBC Sports and CBS Sports. It's a shame that casual fans will get tons of exposure to the other new leagues but not ours. I find it hard to believe that the revenue from the America One deal is enough to compensate for the lack of growth from our league's anonymity. I figure the ADs lack creativity and saw this as their only option after the collapse of the Fox deal. Hopefully this is only a one year thing.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

I too am very disappointed with the $150 cost for this season's WCHA action. I was excited about the free offer and the potential to grow the new leagues fan base and encourage even the casual fan to tune in to catch some great hockey. Since the WCHA package is roughly the same price as buying season tickets to watch the games in person I won't be spending the money. I guess I'll just have to settle for my radio feeds and all the free college hockey that I'll be getting on Big Ten Network, NBC Sports and CBS Sports. It's a shame that casual fans will get tons of exposure to the other new leagues but not ours. I find it hard to believe that the revenue from the America One deal is enough to compensate for the lack of growth from our league's anonymity. I figure the ADs lack creativity and saw this as their only option after the collapse of the Fox deal. Hopefully this is only a one year thing.

The one thing they could still do to help this after the season starts is to have a game of the night which free and attempt to rotate throughout the league and spread the free previews...

 

[hattrick16]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

The one thing they could still do to help this after the season starts is to have a game of the night which free and attempt to rotate throughout the league and spread the free previews...

I like the idea, but given the evidence, I doubt it will happen.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

all the free college hockey that I'll be getting on Big Ten Network, NBC Sports and CBS Sports.

Your monthly cable/dish bill is not free.

 

[camilo]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

The first Preseason poll is out; nothing earth shattering:

1. Mankato
2. Ferris State
3. Alaska
4. Bowling Green
5. Michigan Tech
6. Northern Michigan
7. Lake Superior State
8. Bemidji State
9. UAA
10. Huntsville

http://m.adn.com/adn/db_305722/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=g5myogoM

Being familiar with some of the teams, I'm thinking that maybe one team will break free (like the Poll, thinking Mankato, but even the "big names" and "big conferences" had favorites fail and unknowns dominate), and maybe one or two being way behind (thinking Anchorage might surprise us all though).

But the other 8 or 9 could totally be bunched up winning and losing regularly against each other. I mean, in the best of years, those teams were usually (not always) mid-packers ~.500'ers, say between 4th and 9th place, in the two leagues. In the good years, they were at best a few games over .500, in "bad" years, they lost 1/2 dozen more. Not a lot of evidence to rank #2 through 8 there, imho. I never recall any of those mid-pack teams consistently beating the other mid-pack teams. Certain teams seem to have others' numbers, but not across the board or even from season to season.

I hope that makes sense. I'm looking forward to watching this league (and actually all the new leagues.... I consider this one to be brand new: WCHA in name, mostly CCHA in composition).

Even with Mankato State, it's going to be a the old "any team can beat any other" more than the original leagues ever were. Statistically, it will play out in the long run with a bunch of teams very close to +/- .500, with Mankato being a few games over (but not a huge amount), and Huntsville (and maybe UAA, but I doubt it) being several under. I'm really hoping Huntsville has a great year, but I'm about as pessimistic about that as I am optimistic about Mankato - not hugely for either, but it's there.

I don't think UAA will be anyone's punching bag. I really doubt UAA would have gone 2-3 victories in the old WCHA this year, let alone the nWCHA. This year, in the old league,I'd bet they'd be much closer to a respectable "handful" of victories. I'm thinking they'll most likely be within a few games of if not at or exceeding .500 in the nWCHA. Few teams in this league, this year with the fire in the belly of their new coach, is going to beat them 3 or 4 out of 4 over the season. Maybe a couple will, but I'll bet it goes the opposite way a few times too.

Looking forward to watching the new BTHC too. I'm not a hater at all about them, and see it as a very strong league, fun to watch, with natural rivalries almost across the board. Also, they give D1 hockey the most room to expand, which I'm hoping for too. The National can go **** itself.

Anyway, drop the puck!

 

[Squarebanks]

Pretty much how the CCHA played out the last few years. One or two way ahea of the pack, a big cluster in the middle, and a couple stragglers (sorry Huntsville).

I could see UAA getting up to 7th or 8th this year based on the new coaching energy alone. My Nanooks could finish anywhere between first and about sixth. When more than half your team is freshmen and sophomores it is hard to predict.

Being familiar with some of the teams, I'm thinking that maybe one team will break free (like the Poll, thinking Mankato, but even the "big names" and "big conferences" had favorites fail and unknowns dominate), and maybe one or two being way behind (thinking Anchorage might surprise us all though).

But the other 8 or 9 could totally be bunched up winning and losing regularly against each other. I mean, in the best of years, those teams were usually (not always) mid-packers ~.500'ers, say between 4th and 9th place, in the two leagues. In the good years, they were at best a few games over .500, in "bad" years, they lost 1/2 dozen more. Not a lot of evidence to rank #2 through 8 there, imho. I never recall any of those mid-pack teams consistently beating the other mid-pack teams. Certain teams seem to have others' numbers, but not across the board or even from season to season.

I hope that makes sense. I'm looking forward to watching this league (and actually all the new leagues.... I consider this one to be brand new: WCHA in name, mostly CCHA in composition).

Even with Mankato State, it's going to be a the old "any team can beat any other" more than the original leagues ever were. Statistically, it will play out in the long run with a bunch of teams very close to +/- .500, with Mankato being a few games over (but not a huge amount), and Huntsville (and maybe UAA, but I doubt it) being several under. I'm really hoping Huntsville has a great year, but I'm about as pessimistic about that as I am optimistic about Mankato - not hugely for either, but it's there.

I don't think UAA will be anyone's punching bag. I really doubt UAA would have gone 2-3 victories in the old WCHA this year, let alone the nWCHA. This year, in the old league,I'd bet they'd be much closer to a respectable "handful" of victories. I'm thinking they'll most likely be within a few games of if not at or exceeding .500 in the nWCHA. Few teams in this league, this year with the fire in the belly of their new coach, is going to beat them 3 or 4 out of 4 over the season. Maybe a couple will, but I'll bet it goes the opposite way a few times too.

Looking forward to watching the new BTHC too. I'm not a hater at all about them, and see it as a very strong league, fun to watch, with natural rivalries almost across the board. Also, they give D1 hockey the most room to expand, which I'm hoping for too. The National can go **** itself.

Anyway, drop the puck!

 

[gfmorris]

Re: The New WCHA 3, Revenge of the Sieve (2013-14)

We are aware of the reality of our situation and will be storing up any projectiles tossed our way for return fire at a later date. We do like to win at this school, and I believe that we'll see it soon enough.

GFM