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Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

Question....What is the practice schedule like for both Bowdoin and Utica? I'm guessing they get some ice time today since tomorrow will obviously not be available. That's a long few days for Bowdoin. A game Wednesday night, travel all day Thursday, practice on Friday and play on Saturday. That being said, there are a bunch of other teams wishing they were still in that position...
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

For Utica’s sake it would be best that the high school games do not go into many OT games. I would think the NCAA selection committee will be keeping a watchful eye on how late the Utica-Bowdoin game starts. Hosting NCAA playoff games in the future may depend on how Saturday’s game turns out.
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

I bet they practiced Thurs in Utica too or practiced at home before they left.
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

VT bragging rights said:
For Utica’s sake it would be best that the high school games do not go into many OT games. I would think the NCAA selection committee will be keeping a watchful eye on how late the Utica-Bowdoin game starts. Hosting NCAA playoff games in the future may depend on how Saturday’s game turns out.
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I was thinking the same thing. It would be a shame if Utica lost future opportunities if something happens Saturday. I hate to see teams who deserve to host an NCAA playoff game not be able to do so.
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

VT bragging rights said:
For Utica’s sake it would be best that the high school games do not go into many OT games. I would think the NCAA selection committee will be keeping a watchful eye on how late the Utica-Bowdoin game starts. Hosting NCAA playoff games in the future may depend on how Saturday’s game turns out.
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It sounds like they have done the best they could given the circumstances. It seems to me that UC might consider negotiating with the HS people about some schedule adjustments for future years - such as having some games on Friday instead of Saturday so as to make sure the facility is free by about 4:00 PM or so on Sat. If the schedule were published ahead of time, instead of tweaking a schedule that was already set for 4 Saturday games, it might be easier to work with.
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

NUProf said:
It sounds like they have done the best they could given the circumstances. It seems to me that UC might consider negotiating with the HS people about some schedule adjustments for future years - such as having some games on Friday instead of Saturday so as to make sure the facility is free by about 4:00 PM or so on Sat. If the schedule were published ahead of time, instead of tweaking a schedule that was already set for 4 Saturday games, it might be easier to work with.
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Seems to me they tried that a few years ago (not for UC's sake) and it didn't go over to well. People coming from all over the state to see their team had to stay in a hotel 2 nights instead of 1 and the losing teams fans on friday went home right after the game. Am I right to assume that these games (NCAA/HS) are going to fall on the same weekend each year? As much as I like UC, I'd hate to lose the high school tournament. You need a supply of players to even have college teams and the state tournament is a great springboard for many of the better players to go on to prep or juniors. Maybe another location will put in to host it in the future and it won't be a problem. On the other hand, how many times will Utica make it this far and have a home game? Many I hope, but I live in the real world.
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

If even one game goes to OT there are going to be issues, maybe not with the warmups starting presumably at 8, but with parking. I am sure that Massena and McQuaid will both have large crowds plus all of the people who just show up to watch. The final four games aren't like your normal high school games, the winning team will celebrate for a bit, then handshakes, then they line both teams up at their blue lines for a presentation. Then fans usually wait for the team to exit the locker rooms. This takes a while because the state usually give the teams pizza and soda. The Aud has a good staff so hopefully they have some kind of plan.
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

oswegohockey12 said:
If even one game goes to OT there are going to be issues, maybe not with the warmups starting presumably at 8, but with parking. I am sure that Massena and McQuaid will both have large crowds plus all of the people who just show up to watch. The final four games aren't like your normal high school games, the winning team will celebrate for a bit, then handshakes, then they line both teams up at their blue lines for a presentation. Then fans usually wait for the team to exit the locker rooms. This takes a while because the state usually give the teams pizza and soda. The Aud has a good staff so hopefully they have some kind of plan.
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Saturday is the semifinals. No celebrations and presentations necessary (unless they give out third place trophies).
 
Russell Jaslow said:
Saturday is the semifinals. No celebrations and presentations necessary (unless they give out third place trophies).
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There is a brief presentation after each semi. The coaches association usually comes down to the ice and gets on the Mic. As far as the celebration, almost every semi winner threw helmets and gloves on the ice like they won the championship last year.
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

If they keep the tourney there adn don't want to make it Friday thru Sunday, they need to consider a start at 800a rather than 930a to provide enough cushion and practice time on Saturday for the college teams...
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

IMO - If Bowdoin doesn't care; If the NCAA doesn't care; then DON'T take that away from the kids. I don't care if the game doesn't start till 11:00pm, let the kids have their time. Still should be interesting come post game if they question is raised about the "location" and "time" of the game to the Bowdoin staff and what their response will be. It will probably be different if they win however.
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

Tomorrow should really have been reserved for the HS championships, which were scheduled a year or two in advance... It's bad form at the very least to ask the kids to juggle their schedules re: the biggest hockey games of their lives, while UC is allowed to dictate matters at the 11th hour.

In the future, Utica might consider a contingency plan, if D-3 would allow them to play in the Clinton arena... That would be a lot better situation for everyone involved, and wouldn't afford UC any advantage in regards to siting, v. playing at home. (Excepting the better ice there, of course.)
 
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Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

oswegohockey12 said:
If even one game goes to OT there are going to be issues, maybe not with the warmups starting presumably at 8, but with parking. I am sure that Massena and McQuaid will both have large crowds plus all of the people who just show up to watch. The final four games aren't like your normal high school games, the winning team will celebrate for a bit, then handshakes, then they line both teams up at their blue lines for a presentation. Then fans usually wait for the team to exit the locker rooms. This takes a while because the state usually give the teams pizza and soda. The Aud has a good staff so hopefully they have some kind of plan.
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Having been to many State tournaments, I tend to (politely) disagree.

No team has drawn a very big crowd there, not even very-local RFA... This event is mostly about friends and family, and I don't think I've ever seen more than maybe 1,500 fans there, even when Rome was playing.

Getting the place cleared-out won't be an issue IMO, unless the games drag on past regulation.
 
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Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

Another interesting factor, the place has to be cleared after the final HS game. "If" it goes past say eight oclock, there will be literally thousands of people outside waiting to get in, while everyone is getting out. Should be interesting, fortuneately we're not getting a blizzard. :D
 
oswegohockey12 said:
As far as the celebration, almost every semi winner threw helmets and gloves on the ice like they won the championship last year.
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That's the dumbest thing I ever heard. Not you, because I believe you. The fact that the coaches of these teams allow that sort of celebration before reaching the ultimate goal is horrible, horrible coaching.
 
Fishman'81 said:
Tomorrow should really have been reserved for the HS championships, which were scheduled a year or two in advance... It's bad form at the very least to ask the kids to juggle their schedules re: the biggest hockey games of their lives, while UC is allowed to dictate matters at the 11th hour.

In the future, Utica might consider a contingency plan, if D-3 would allow them to play in the Clinton arena... That would be a lot better situation for everyone involved, and wouldn't afford UC any advantage in regards to siting, v. playing at home. (Excepting the better ice there, of course.)
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Though I don't entirely disagree with you, I think you're being a bit of a drama queen.

The times for the HS games were not adjusted all that much. And it's not like Utica and the NCAA did not compromise. They are allowing the college game to take place later than it was supposed to. Plus, Utica is not dictating anything. They ASKED the Aud and HS association if there was a way to work this out.

Personally, I'm proud of the way the various hockey factions were willing to work together to come up with an equitable solution for the good of hockey and the local community.
 
Re: Utica Home Game and NYS High Shcool Final Four...

"In the future, Utica might consider a contingency plan, if D-3 would allow them to play in the Clinton arena... That would be a lot better situation for everyone involved, and wouldn't afford UC any advantage in regards to siting, v. playing at home. (Excepting the better ice there, of course.) "

I can only wish. Won't happen but if it does I have my reserved spot on the rail in the old barn. I too am glad to see all parties involved trying to work things out so everyone's happy. It's not a perfact world but in the end, once the game starts, all will be forgotten and we'll be treated to a great hockey game. That's all that really matters IMO.
 
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