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WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

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Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Squarebanks said:
I thought you loved us. :(
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I love my fellow nerds. Also, one of my best friends is a Tech alumnus, and our friendship long pre-dates UAH being in the WCHA.

Congratulations to everyone who gets to watch their team for another week.

GFM
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Twitch Boy said:
No love for Bryce Cockburn of NMU? Or Derek Punches of Wayne State/Cornell?
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Well honestly I figured there was no chance that the Forum would let that first name even get posted, but yes that was on my list. Punches flies under the radar since WSU wasn't even bothering with nameplates at the end... but here you go.
Ryan J
<center>#11 - Derek Punches
2007-08

<img height=250 src="http://www.johnsonsjerseys.net/archive/ncaa/cha/wsu11_f.jpg"> <img height=250 src="http://www.johnsonsjerseys.net/archive/ncaa/cha/wsu11_b.jpg"></center>
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Looks like the league will be picking up some serious travel expenses (mileage is from Google Maps).

#8 Alaska at #1 Michigan Tech (3246 miles)
#7 Lake Superior State at #2 MSU-Mankato (621 miles)
#6 Bemidji State at #3 Bowling Green (873 miles)
#5 Northern Michigan at #4 Ferris State (350 miles)

With the semis and final in Grand Rapids, MI, this year, there could be some serious travel there as well if the first round goes certain ways.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

beaverhockeyfan said:
Looks like the league will be picking up some serious travel expenses (mileage is from Google Maps).

#8 Alaska at #1 Michigan Tech (3246 miles)
#7 Lake Superior State at #2 MSU-Mankato (621 miles)
#6 Bemidji State at #3 Bowling Green (873 miles)
#5 Northern Michigan at #4 Ferris State (350 miles)

With the semis and final in Grand Rapids, MI, this year, there could be some serious travel there as well if the first round goes certain ways.
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I'm sure the people at Van Andel are rooting for Michigan Tech and Bowling Green...not sure about the other 2 games since I doubt LSSU will bring many fans...best for attendance is probably MTU, MSU, BGSU, NMU.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

As long as the current format and group of teams sticks together, it looks like the line for home playoffs is 30 points (BSU hosted last year at 29, only because UA_ was unable to participate).

4th place all 3 years has been 30 points with 4th at 29...
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Couple of good comments from Walt Kyle, and there's this:

Travel costs are high in the NCHC as well, especially for eastern-most members Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio). More realignment may be in store if those two schools look to trade airplane trips west for bus rides to closer opponents.

"It makes too much sense for there not to be movement by some schools to re-create a CCHA-type league at some point," said American Hockey Coaches Association executive director Joe Bertagna, also the Hockey East commissioner.
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Big Ten Hockey League Power Felt More Off Ice Than on So Far
FEB. 26, 2016, 1:11 P.M. E.S.T.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/02/26/sports/ap-hkc-college-hockey-big-ten-effect.html?_r=0
 
Shirtless Guy said:
I'm sure the people at Van Andel are rooting for Michigan Tech and Bowling Green...not sure about the other 2 games since I doubt LSSU will bring many fans...best for attendance is probably MTU, MSU, BGSU, NMU.
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Ferris is only an hour from Grand Rapids. They were nearly all the attendance in 2014, outnumbered all other fans at least 2 to 1 combined. You could argue the best attendance geographically would be MTU, LSSU, BGSU, FSU; but I understand the argument for MSU for attendance from a program following perspective.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

HuskyNation said:
Ferris is only an hour from Grand Rapids. They were nearly all the attendance in 2014, outnumbered all other fans at least 2 to 1 combined. You could argue the best attendance geographically would be MTU, LSSU, BGSU, FSU; but I understand the argument for MSU for attendance from a program following perspective.
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Yeah, I think you're probably right about FSU, but NMU wouldn't be bad...the big question is who is better between LSSU and MSU? I'm not sure either will help much, although I guess LSSU could surprise with it being something of a special season that they get there and their fans haven't had much to cheer about in awhile.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Final regular season attendance averages:

1. Minnesota State - 4,004
2. Michigan Tech - 3,341
3. Bemidji State - 3,212
4. Alaska - 2,702
5. Bowling Green - 2,670
6. Northern Michigan - 2,121
7. Ferris State - 1,983
8. Lake Superior State - 1,918
9. Alabama Huntsville - 1,835
10. Alaska Anchorage - 1,763
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

UAHStatman said:
I wish such a movement to re-realign would start already, to be honest.
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Be careful what you wish for. Though certainly we need to find a way to 1. increase revenue, and 2. shorten travel. I'm not sure we can lower expenses much.
But if fans would come and support the tournament, at least we could break even, and that would be a big help.
I really like the teams we play now. I just wish it didn't take so long to get to them.
I'm assuming the attendance numbers are up for most everyone.?
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

manurespreader said:
Be careful what you wish for. Though certainly we need to find a way to 1. increase revenue, and 2. shorten travel. I'm not sure we can lower expenses much.
But if fans would come and support the tournament, at least we could break even, and that would be a big help.
I really like the teams we play now. I just wish it didn't take so long to get to them.
I'm assuming the attendance numbers are up for most everyone.?
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I know -- I really like the teams we play now as well, and have the same concerns. I guess after hearing for three years that there's going to be more realignment because this alignment isn't really sustainable, I would like to see some action to address these problems. Maybe it doesn't involve realignment at all -- the heck if I know. :)

UAH's attendance went down overall. It got better in the second half as is typically expected post-football season (averaged over 2,600 for the final series), but we only had six home games in the second half.
 
UAHStatman said:
I know -- I really like the teams we play now as well, and have the same concerns. I guess after hearing for three years that there's going to be more realignment because this alignment isn't really sustainable, I would like to see some action to address these problems. Maybe it doesn't involve realignment at all -- the heck if I know. :)

UAH's attendance went down overall. It got better in the second half as is typically expected post-football season (averaged over 2,600 for the final series), but we only had six home games in the second half.
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Its critical for UAH to have a balanced home/road schedule and if possible, a little weighted to the second half. Saturdays against Bama/Auburn are attendance suicide.
 
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manurespreader said:
Be careful what you wish for. Though certainly we need to find a way to 1. increase revenue, and 2. shorten travel. I'm not sure we can lower expenses much.
But if fans would come and support the tournament, at least we could break even, and that would be a big help.
I really like the teams we play now. I just wish it didn't take so long to get to them.
I'm assuming the attendance numbers are up for most everyone.?
Click to expand...

UAF's attendance went up about 10% this year. Last year was the worst I can ever remember it being, probably due to the sanctions...we had a few home games that had a 1 in front of the attendance count. The year before (year 1 of the WCHA) it was strong...about 3,000 average in Carlson Center games, and was the last time we sold it out.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

manurespreader said:
I'm assuming the attendance numbers are up for most everyone.?
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meh. BGSU's attendance was only marginally better than last year, and that's with back-to-back 20-win seasons.
I like the WCHA teams just fine, but attendance ain't great.

Only games this year that drew more than 4,000 were vs. Ferris (4613, Senior night) and Miami (4025).
Next best was a Thurs. night game vs. UAA (3511), go figure.
The OSU game was down this year (only 3022), but that was up against the BG vs. UMass home football game and OSU homecoming.

Other than five home games over Thanksgiving and Xmas breaks, most disappointing weekend had to be Dec. 4 & 5 vs. Mankato, which drew a weak 1572 and 2019. What does it take?
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

blackswampboy said:
meh. BGSU's attendance was only marginally better than last year, and that's with back-to-back 20-win seasons.
I like the WCHA teams just fine, but attendance ain't great.

Only games this year that drew more than 4,000 were vs. Ferris (4613, Senior night) and Miami (4025).
Next best was a Thurs. night game vs. UAA (3511), go figure.
The OSU game was down this year (only 3022), but that was up against the BG vs. UMass home football game and OSU homecoming.

Other than five home games over Thanksgiving and Xmas breaks, most disappointing weekend had to be Dec. 4 & 5 vs. Mankato, which drew a weak 1572 and 2019. What does it take?
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I also believe that the OSU game was during fall break (why there is such a thing is beyond me), which hurt attendance big time.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I would say that BGSU's numbers are the most surprising for me being the only "big school" in the conference. Mankato is not surprising given their success the last couple years. If I just had to give a gut feel of where the numbers would be, I would have guessed the following based on a combination of historical numbers and recent success on the ice:

1-2 Mankato / BGSU
3-4 Bemidji / Tech
5-6-7-8 UA_ / UAA / FSU / NMU
9-10 UAH / LSSU

Ryan J
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Congrats to Tech and Mankato on sharing the MacNaughton. Another highly competitive season for the conference. One of the positives of the realignment, lots of teams in the overall mix.

Here's to a great postseason for all!
 
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