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

[gfmorris]

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

Shutting tOSU down this weekend is big for BG. Great job, Falcons!

GFM

 

[Andrew J Carter]

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

Shutting tOSU down this weekend is big for BG. Great job, Falcons!

GFM

Geof: You must have been too busy to acknowledge BSU's 3-2 victory over #2/3 Duluth of the NCHC; the conference most of us WCHA survivors disdain. Perhaps either a light congrats or grunt of disgust would be in order.

PS: You are welcome to stay with us if your make it up to Bemidji in late February for the UAH series.

 

[manurespreader]

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

Attendance was not that good in Bemidji. I wonder why that was. I mean they have a real good team coming in and well, what else is there to do there.?

And FSU people, what do you think of WMU now that you saw them.?

 

[true2BSU]

between the marathon, other sporting events, fishing, hunting, winterizing and just enjoying sunshine before winter sets in.... The crowd size wasn't too bad. I wish we could get bigger crowds for the girls hockey. They're pretty good.

 

[gfmorris]

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

Geof: You must have been too busy to acknowledge BSU's 3-2 victory over #2/3 Duluth of the NCHC; the conference most of us WCHA survivors disdain. Perhaps either a light congrats or grunt of disgust would be in order.

PS: You are welcome to stay with us if your make it up to Bemidji in late February for the UAH series.

Feh, okay it was nice that they won for PWR reasons.

GFM

 

[John J. MacInnes]

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

And FSU people, what do you think of WMU now that you saw them.?

Saw the Friday night game in Kalamazoo. Ferris and Western are actually quite similar - more than adequate goaltending, solid work ethic, but a lack of high-end talent in the offensive end. The Ferris PK was their undoing in the first game of the weekend, with two pretty nice shots for the Broncos (contradicting my initial analysis but I consider those to be more the exception rather than the rule). Good atmosphere in the building with more than a few Bulldog fans showing up.

Charles Williams looked good in the pipes, especially for a guy who sat out the entire season last year. Anyone ready to write off Ferris just because CJ Motte is gone will find out pretty quickly that there isn't that much of a dropoff.

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

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

I plan on keeping this updated during the season with the results.

2015-16 WCHA Non-Conference Schedule. There are 73 non-conference games on the schedule.

-4 against Hockey East (1-1-0)
-4 against Atlantic Hockey (0-0-0)
-24 against the NCHC (1-6-1)
-21 against the Big10 (2-1-2)
-6 against the ECAC (0-0-0)
-6 against Arizona State (1-1-0)
-2 between WCHA opponents
-6 undetermined games

ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE (6) 1-1-0
-Connecticut (2) L 5-2, W 5-2
-Colorado College (2)
-at North Dakota (2)

ALASKA-ANCHORAGE (6) 1-1-0
-Arizona State W 3-2 OT
-St. Cloud State L 6-2
-Rensselaer
-American International
-Penn State (2)

ALASKA (6) 0-2-0
-St Cloud State (Anchorage) L 3-0
-Arizona State (Anchorage) L 2-1
-American International
-Rensselaer
-at Wisconsin (2)

BEMIDJI STATE (8) 1-0-0
-at Minnesota-Duluth postponed
-Minnesota-Duluth W 3-2
-North Dakota
-at North Dakota
-Arizona State (2)
-Minnesota (St. Paul)
-Minnesota State/St. Cloud State (St. Paul)

BOWLING GREEN (10) 2-0-0
-at Ohio State W 6-3
-Ohio State W 2-0
-at Western Michigan
-at Canisius
-at RIT
-Western Michigan (Toledo)
-Clarkson (2)
-at Miami
-Miami

FERRIS STATE (7) 0-1-1
-at Western Michigan L 3-2
-Western Michigan T 1-1
-Wisconsin (2)
-Harvard (Minneapolis)
-Connecticut/Minnesota (Minneapolis)
-at Michigan

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE (10) 0-2-0
-North Dakota (Portland, ME) L 5-2
-Michigan State (Portland, ME) L 4-1
-at Northern Michigan
-Northern Michigan
-at Michigan State (2)
-Arizona State (2)
-at Vermont
-Brown (at Vermont)

MICHIGAN TECH (6) 0-0-0
-at Michigan State (2)
-Michigan State (Detroit)
-Northern Michigan/Michigan (Detroit)
-Connecticut (Glendale, AZ)
-Yale/Arizona State (Glendale, AZ)

MINNESOTA STATE (8) 0-2-0
-Nebraska-Omaha (2) L 3-2, L 2-0
-at St. Cloud State (2)
-Minnesota
-at Minnesota
-St. Cloud State (St. Paul)
-Bemidji State/Minnesota (St. Paul)

NORTHERN MICHIGAN (8) 0-0-2
-at Wisconsin (2) T 2-2, T 3-3
-Lake Superior State
-at Lake Superior State
-Michigan (Detroit)
-Michigan State/Michigan Tech (Detroit)
-Minnesota-Duluth (2)

 

[Andrew J Carter]

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

between the marathon, other sporting events, fishing, hunting, winterizing and just enjoying sunshine before winter sets in.... The crowd size wasn't too bad. I wish we could get bigger crowds for the girls hockey. They're pretty good.

true2BSU: All the factors you mentioned probably did contribute to lower attendance. But the crowd size of 2834 (3320 if you accept the adjusted more recent count) for our second or third best rival, who happened to be #2/3 in the country, still sucked. Fans on the bubble decided to watch the game on TV instead. The $40 ticket for this game was a disincentive to attend. The $40 ticket will probably work for the North Dakota fans this weekend and for some of ours. But we need to reevaluate our single-game ticket paradigm. Season ticket holders get a great deal at $15 per game or less, and that doesn't include the exhibition game versus Manitoba and possible home play-off games.

You're also right about the women's team. They're very good and I need to see a few games this year.

Feh, okay it was nice that they won for PWR reasons.

GFM

Geof: Nice response with the "Feh". Of course, I had to look it up.

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

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

true2BSU: All the factors you mentioned probably did contribute to lower attendance. But the crowd size of 2834 (3320 if you accept the adjusted more recent count) for our second or third best rival, who happened to be #2/3 in the country, still sucked. Fans on the bubble decided to watch the game on TV instead. The $40 ticket for this game was a disincentive to attend. The $40 ticket will probably work for the North Dakota fans this weekend and for some of ours. But we need to reevaluate our single-game ticket paradigm. Season ticket holders get a great deal at $15 per game or less, and that doesn't include the exhibition game versus Manitoba and possible home play-off games.

You're also right about the women's team. They're very good and I need to see a few games this year.

I believe the season ticket package does include any WCHA home playoff games. It always has in the past. And I am in favor of the season ticket holders getting a discount on their tickets. But every school does the "premium game" pricing now, and for BSU that is UMD and UND this year.

But $40 a ticket does make it hard, especially on families. My family of four, that would be $160 just in tickets alone. Factor in gas (driving 2.5 hours one way for us), eating out before the game and concessions, we are talking $250+ for just one game. We typically drive up the day of the game and drive home after, so we don't have a hotel room on top of that, but if we did, we would be pushing $400 for just one game. With the nice weather this weekend and the game being on TV, I was able to spend my time doing other things and then having a Crown Royal from the comfort of my family room.

Don't get me wrong, my family and I are not avoiding all games, we will still make it up to 3 or 4 Saturday games this year. We just pick and choose a little more closely.

And yes, the women's team is off to a great start. They do deserve bigger crowds.

 

[Andrew J Carter]

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

I believe the season ticket package does include any WCHA home playoff games. It always has in the past. And I am in favor of the season ticket holders getting a discount on their tickets. But every school does the "premium game" pricing now, and for BSU that is UMD and UND this year.

Yes, the exhibition and playoff games are free (so to speak) so the $15 per game I pay as a season ticket holder is really cheaper than that.

I got the "premium game prices" and agree they are a good idea, , BUT it's more than just UND & UMD. I would stay with the $40 UND because those folks are crazy and will pay it (supply/demand). But I would lower the UMD and Mankato rates which are also $40 and drop to $30 (these folks aren't as crazy). Alaska-Fairbanks is only $18 and Lake State is $31. Make them and the rest $20. I do realize that often around Christmas time, promotions do pop up to lower prices so maybe it's not so bad. I confess, I am not a marketer, but when you have chosen to broadcast every home game for free on KAWE (they do a wonderful job by the way), it doesn't appear these over-priced single ticket purchases are helping us out. If we are going to make a mistake, make it going the other way and better fill the Sanford Center.

My data is from ticketmaster.

 

[Biddco]

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

I was at the UMD game on Saturday and was shocked that it was 40 bucks. Definitely hurt attendance.

 

[true2BSU]

$40 bucks is too much. I'd prefer we sold a $25 dollar ticket to all games within the conference and a $30 dollar Und UMD U of M ticket and restrict first buying rights to on site pre purchase. Seems to reward the locals and yet not out price them. Heck I would even suggest comp tickets for Huntsville fans. They drive that far.... Let em in! Northern hospitality and all that good stuff.

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

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

Dear Men's D-I College Hockey,
Charging $40 per game during the regular season to watch you is insane.
I don't care who is playing. You will never see my butt in a seat at that price.
For playoffs and Final Five I'm only paying that if my team is playing (and I'll certainly ****** before I do).
Ryan J

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

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

Ticket Bastard is part of the problem. By the time you get done, there are almost $15 in fees tacked on. So this weekend for a $40 ticket, it ends up being $54.36.

Of course, if you buy them at the ticket window, then it is just the $40. But that doesn't help us out-of-towners much if we want tickets in hand.

 

[Hammer]

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

No, the problem is that you're trying to ask $40 for a college hockey game in the first place. Now, if you're constantly sold out with a long waiting list, then fine, I get that. But other than that, that's just too much.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

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

No, the problem is that you're trying to ask $40 for a college hockey game in the first place. Now, if you're constantly sold out with a long waiting list, then fine, I get that. But other than that, that's just too much.

Its no different than what they're asking for WCHA.tv. They are taking what they can get from diehards instead of trying to broaden their base by providing at a better price.

 

[Andrew J Carter]

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

No, the problem is that you're trying to ask $40 for a college hockey game in the first place. Now, if you're constantly sold out with a long waiting list, then fine, I get that. But other than that, that's just too much.

Its no different than what they're asking for WCHA.tv. They are taking what they can get from diehards instead of trying to broaden their base by providing at a better price.

Hammer & Shirtless are both right. We should be broadening the base since we are not filling the Sanford Center. What I don't know (and my BSU athletic administration probably doesn't either) is what is the ideal ticket price for to maximize both revenue and attendance. Again, I like the variable ticket price strategy and would go $40 (sorry Hammer) for UND & UM (tier 1), $30 for UMD, SCSU, & maybe Mankato (tier 2), and the $20 for the rest in tier 3 (no offense to anyone). Unfortunately, I don't have a data set to validate my strategy, only perceived logic. I suspect my BSU administration would come back and say that we can't lower individual prices or we will lose season ticket holders. Good point, but it sure seems we need to recalibrate this because we don't seem to be maximizing this situation.

Imagine that; a UMD Bulldog, a MTU Husky(ie), and a BSU Beaver who's a NMU Wildcat grad generally agreeing on something.

 

[blackswampboy]

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

Dear Men's D-I College Hockey,
Charging $40 per game during the regular season to watch you is insane.
I don't care who is playing. You will never see my butt in a seat at that price.
For playoffs and Final Five I'm only paying that if my team is playing (and I'll certainly ****** before I do).
Ryan J

$40?! yikes.
hello Big Rapids, BG, and Houghton.
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-hockey-fans/13283/

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

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

Hammer & Shirtless are both right. We should be broadening the base since we are not filling the Sanford Center. What I don't know (and my BSU athletic administration probably doesn't either) is what is the ideal ticket price for to maximize both revenue and attendance. Again, I like the variable ticket price strategy and would go $40 (sorry Hammer) for UND & UM (tier 1), $30 for UMD, SCSU, & maybe Mankato (tier 2), and the $20 for the rest in tier 3 (no offense to anyone). Unfortunately, I don't have a data set to validate my strategy, only perceived logic. I suspect my BSU administration would come back and say that we can't lower individual prices or we will lose season ticket holders. Good point, but it sure seems we need to recalibrate this because we don't seem to be maximizing this situation.

Imagine that; a UMD Bulldog, a MTU Husky(ie), and a BSU Beaver who's a NMU Wildcat grad generally agreeing on something.

Looking at Ticketbastard, it looks like that is how they have the Beaver games set up (all prices are before fees).

UMD and UND: $35 (end) and $45 (center and club seating)
Mankato: $25 (end), $35 (center) and $45 (club seating)
All other games: $18 (end), $25 (center) and $45 (club seating)

I guess with the 1000 open seats against UMD, the market spoke and the Bulldogs probably don't belong in Tier One status. The UND game in Bemidji already has more seats sold as it looks like on "Select My Seat" on Ticketbastard that there are around 500 seats left (rough count). A lot of those will be UND fans unfortunately, but their money spends just the same.

Of course, they always say the best way to put butts in the seats is to win.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

The UND game in Bemidji already has more seats sold as it looks like on "Select My Seat" on Ticketbastard that there are around 500 seats left (rough count). A lot of those will be UND fans unfortunately, but their money spends just the same.
.

Frankly, isn't that the reason for premium pricing? You have a large, nearby visiting fanbase crazy enough to pay that, and you don't owe them anything, so gouge them?