That's not a totally crazy idea. Saves at least 2 twin cities to Alaska flights at the end of the year. And it does mean that 2 Alaskas can't end up at the conference tournament, which would hurt attendance. I could see where there would be room for some complaints like when both Alaskas are bad and somebody who would be fourth ends up 6th and ends up traveling, but they should have won more games right?? Or the odd chance that the Alaskas are like overall 1and 2, and the Alaska playoff knocks one of them out early while the other top teams get weaker opponents. But other than that, I could see where the league would like that setup about seven out of ten times.
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WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
- Thread starter 4four4
- Start date
uaafanblog
AKA - "Drop The Puck"
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Inequity due to geography is still inequity. How about the teams that aren't willing to create and sustain a level playing field for all conference members go and find another conference to play in?
The "Alaska is so far away" mantra is played out.
Inequity due to geography is still inequity. How about the teams that aren't willing to create and sustain a level playing field for all conference members go and find another conference to play in?
The "Alaska is so far away" mantra is played out.
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
WetSubArticCanine
Registered User
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Na. It’s the rest of you that are so far out there.
SCSU Euro
New member
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Perfect! We'll have an 8-team league of SCSU, MTU, BSU, NMU, WMU, MSU-M, LSSU, and UAH and you guys can form a league of UAA, UA_, and I've stopped caring already
Perfect! We'll have an 8-team league of SCSU, MTU, BSU, NMU, WMU, MSU-M, LSSU, and UAH and you guys can form a league of UAA, UA_, and I've stopped caring already
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Oh come on, you guys get an extra game with a rival where you can charge playoff ticket prices for every year. Its not like Mankato is going to be a big draw in Anchorage other than you can say home playoff games. Fairbanks, people will be all over that up there. And it make sure one alaska school ends up in the WCHA championship every year. Just gotta beat them in a best of 3 series, and you're going to TC. And you get that without having to worry about having to fly to the states that first round as well. I know yea there's going to be years where that arrangement might not be ideal, but hell, 7 out of 10 years, that's a pretty good deal for both Alaska schools.
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Back when there were only two Alaska-based teams in the NAHL, they always paired them in the playoffs, regardless of actual standing. It worked OK in that case, but even then it seemed odd. At the NCAA Division I level... I can't see it. Sure, it would be nice to have a few more games to add to the rivalry. Sure, it would amp things up knowing every year you'd be in a position to end your archrival's season. It would make travel easier on everybody, UAA and UAF included.
On the other hand, you're totally screwing with the idea of being rewarded for regular season play. If they'd both travel normally, then you're screwing over a team that loses their home ice when one of the Alaskas gets to host. If they'd both host normally, then you're screwing over one of the Alaskas by making them travel to their rival's home ice for the playoffs, even though they could theoretically be the number two seed overall. You're also going to have an Alaska team in the league tournament automatically, even if they both finish in the basement and would be easily dispached by a top seed in a normal setup. Also, we already see teams that start going through the motions without any intensity once their postseason fate is locked in. All the Alaskas are playing for is the right to host what's essentially a play-in series. Anything beyond that would be a shot at a regular season championship if it's realistically in reach, or playing for pride. Not a bad thing in and of itself, but you gotta admit that it would detract from alot of the drama from the regular season.
Anyway, is this even a possibility? Are league postseason formats regulated by the NCAA at all, or is it strictly an in-house thing? I honestly don't know.
Back when there were only two Alaska-based teams in the NAHL, they always paired them in the playoffs, regardless of actual standing. It worked OK in that case, but even then it seemed odd. At the NCAA Division I level... I can't see it. Sure, it would be nice to have a few more games to add to the rivalry. Sure, it would amp things up knowing every year you'd be in a position to end your archrival's season. It would make travel easier on everybody, UAA and UAF included.
On the other hand, you're totally screwing with the idea of being rewarded for regular season play. If they'd both travel normally, then you're screwing over a team that loses their home ice when one of the Alaskas gets to host. If they'd both host normally, then you're screwing over one of the Alaskas by making them travel to their rival's home ice for the playoffs, even though they could theoretically be the number two seed overall. You're also going to have an Alaska team in the league tournament automatically, even if they both finish in the basement and would be easily dispached by a top seed in a normal setup. Also, we already see teams that start going through the motions without any intensity once their postseason fate is locked in. All the Alaskas are playing for is the right to host what's essentially a play-in series. Anything beyond that would be a shot at a regular season championship if it's realistically in reach, or playing for pride. Not a bad thing in and of itself, but you gotta admit that it would detract from alot of the drama from the regular season.
Anyway, is this even a possibility? Are league postseason formats regulated by the NCAA at all, or is it strictly an in-house thing? I honestly don't know.
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
That was when they were playing in the same conference as Minnesota and since the Twin Cities market will be not be showing many BHHC vs Big Ten games they lose out. Who are we kidding UND was only recruiting overage Canadian kids and dabbled with recruiting north west Minnesota or North Dakota kids. IMO, if MSU-Moorhead decides to play that surely will take away from a kid or two who years ago might have wanted to play for UND.
That was when they were playing in the same conference as Minnesota and since the Twin Cities market will be not be showing many BHHC vs Big Ten games they lose out. Who are we kidding UND was only recruiting overage Canadian kids and dabbled with recruiting north west Minnesota or North Dakota kids. IMO, if MSU-Moorhead decides to play that surely will take away from a kid or two who years ago might have wanted to play for UND.
ExileOnDaytonStreet
Drunkard
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
This whole thing is crazy.
This whole thing is crazy.
uaafanblog
AKA - "Drop The Puck"
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Ok Malcolm X! You can't tell me that MTU and NMU wouldn't love to have the same set up? To face off against their most bitter rivals in a winner takes all playoff with one of them fighting over the same spot at the championship? There's just no pleasing yah til both of the Alaskas are in a BCS conference is there?
scsutommyboy
Frozen four or Bust!!
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Correct, but that is because they played in the WCHA and their parents could travel by car to watch them in state. They will only have one chance to do that in two years instead of four chances they had in the past. Plus by media I mean newspaper, TV news highlights and TV broadcasts. Not to mention even schools like UND have been getting way more twin city kids over the last ten years than ever before and a lot of that has to do with FSN and the final five. All that will be gone.
Correct, but that is because they played in the WCHA and their parents could travel by car to watch them in state. They will only have one chance to do that in two years instead of four chances they had in the past. Plus by media I mean newspaper, TV news highlights and TV broadcasts. Not to mention even schools like UND have been getting way more twin city kids over the last ten years than ever before and a lot of that has to do with FSN and the final five. All that will be gone.
duper
Well-known member
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
bwaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahamy mistake you are correct.
but that being said playing uaa & ua twice in alaska every two seasons would be preferable than playing them both up there every season if fairbanks was admitted to the wcha. not mention the possibility of having to go up there a third time for the first round of the playoffs.
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Take your puck and find somewhere else to play then...
Take your puck and find somewhere else to play then...
Tipsy McStagger
Falling on fans at NHC since 2001
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Yes, but as you said that is when no other games were on tv, either. If the other Minnesota schools have their games on tv so their friends and family can watch them. Also, that was before SCSU, MSU, and BSU were D-1 hockey programs.
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
I'm just trying to figure out how the schedule would work out fairly... I've got spreadsheets running like a goofball, and I can't figure out how to have teams only making one trip to the state of Alaska without the Alaska schools playing 6 times against each other. And that is only making for a 24 game conference schedule.
I'm just trying to figure out how the schedule would work out fairly... I've got spreadsheets running like a goofball, and I can't figure out how to have teams only making one trip to the state of Alaska without the Alaska schools playing 6 times against each other. And that is only making for a 24 game conference schedule.
Sean Pickett
2009 NCAA Champions
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Sean
OK, then also setup MTU and NMU to always play each other in the first round of the playoffs. Are there any other rivalries that should be setup as permanent first round matchups?
Sean
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
I'm just using them as another example, they're close enough that its not going to be a huge deal to them to travel anywhere at the drop of a hat come playoff time. Hell, how many times has it ever come down to the WCHA playoffs not being set until the last regular season weekend? Alaska is a continental flight, and doesn't exactly have the greatest connections to it unless you wanna go by Fed Ex or UPS. Its not the greatest set up, but hell, it at the least gives them a big matchup every year, and they don't have to worry about making 2 trips to the Lower 48 when they're in a playoff hunt. I would think that alone would give them some fresher legs, which everybody is looking for at that time of the year.
Re: WCHA, CCHA talk merger (08-03-11)
Correct. The BHHC will lose the market all together and kids today want to be seen on tv as much as possible. If by chance FSN can work out a deal with the WCHA then all the better. Mark my words the BHHC Twin Cities market within ten years will have dried up and only the kids watching Gopher games and maybe WCHA games will be shown to them. If the BHHC doesn't find a way to get on a weekly game on Versus imo leaving the WCHA was all for not. Who knows maybe ten years from now the WCHA will be finding a way to get four or more teams in the NCAA. It is going to be interesting.
Correct. The BHHC will lose the market all together and kids today want to be seen on tv as much as possible. If by chance FSN can work out a deal with the WCHA then all the better. Mark my words the BHHC Twin Cities market within ten years will have dried up and only the kids watching Gopher games and maybe WCHA games will be shown to them. If the BHHC doesn't find a way to get on a weekly game on Versus imo leaving the WCHA was all for not. Who knows maybe ten years from now the WCHA will be finding a way to get four or more teams in the NCAA. It is going to be interesting.