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Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
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WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
- Thread starter MissThundercat
- Start date
JohnsonsJerseys
Michigan Tech Fan
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
Everyone thinks that their team won't be one of the "bottom feeders" but the reality is that half of the conference HAS to finish in the bottom half. It sounds stupid to even have to say something like that but I think a lot of fans can't grasp that simple concept or they assume "it will be all the other teams" who are in the bottom half. So you'll be hanging an NCHC membership banner in your rink rather than NCAA tourney appearances and hopefully wins.
If that is really what Mankato wants, let them go. One less potential hurdle for the remaining top WCHA to make the tourney each season. I really don't think it would be that tough to get one of the Western AH teams to move to the WCHA or one of the NCHC Eastern teams to do the same if the NCHC doesn't pick up ASU for an even number.
Ryan
This is the myth of the NCHC. Fans think that just because they play in a "power" conference their team magically gets better by putting a different conference patch on their uniforms. Your combined record against the NCHC (using your numbers above) is 6 wins and 9 loses. That's a losing record and it means you're in the bottom half of the conference keeping company with CC, Miami, Western and likely ASU. So even if you win ALL your NC games you're going to be just over 0.500 overall. How is this getting you to the NCAA tourney? "Battle tested" won't matter when your team is watching the tourney on the ESPN family of networks from home...
Everyone thinks that their team won't be one of the "bottom feeders" but the reality is that half of the conference HAS to finish in the bottom half. It sounds stupid to even have to say something like that but I think a lot of fans can't grasp that simple concept or they assume "it will be all the other teams" who are in the bottom half. So you'll be hanging an NCHC membership banner in your rink rather than NCAA tourney appearances and hopefully wins.
If that is really what Mankato wants, let them go. One less potential hurdle for the remaining top WCHA to make the tourney each season. I really don't think it would be that tough to get one of the Western AH teams to move to the WCHA or one of the NCHC Eastern teams to do the same if the NCHC doesn't pick up ASU for an even number.
Ryan
MavHockey14
New member
Initially it means you simply change the conference logos, etc.
As I mentioned, they Mavs are lacking in talent behind UMD and SCSU, two schools that MSU needs to beat more for recruits to enhance their talent. Playing in the top conference in college hockey, like those two schools do, would help MSU immensely in terms of recruiting.
I’ve laid out a number of reasons why, with stats showing the difference in talent between the two leagues.
Last edited:
purpleinnebraska
Well-known member
But by that logic, we should go D3, win all of our games, and have attendance of 5000+ every night!
There’s a balance between winning, playing quality hockey, and having rivalry games. We have a lot more geographic rivalries with NCHC teams. I am seriously concerned that the quality of play in the WCHA is moving closer to AH, and further from the ECAC. As Iwearpurple noted, there are fewer and fewer drafted players coming to the WCHA. That’s the sort of thing that just snowballs, as good players don’t come because they don’t see any other good players already in the conference.
I like the WCHA and what we’ve accomplished, but I worry about the sustainability of it.
giwan
Really??!!
How do you see it helping in recruiting? Do you believe all of a sudden those recruits won't go to UMD or SCSU let alone UM? Who are you stealing recruits from?
Iwearpurple
Registered User
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
Absolutely it would help in recruiting, would you rather play in the NCHC or the WCHA. We wouldn't be "stealing" recruits. We would simply have a chance at those who are now choosing to go to St. Cloud or UMD.
Absolutely it would help in recruiting, would you rather play in the NCHC or the WCHA. We wouldn't be "stealing" recruits. We would simply have a chance at those who are now choosing to go to St. Cloud or UMD.
purpleinnebraska
Well-known member
Yes! That’s the whole point. Guys like Poehling, Allison, Tufte, Mismash, Terry...They were all sought by the Big 7 schools, but went to NCHC teams. But I’m pretty confident not one of them ever considered a WCHA school. Of course we won’t get them all if we’re in the NCHC. But now we won’t get any of them.
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
MTU was in on McGregor...
TalonsUpPuckDown
Roll along you BG Warriors!
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
Guys, we get the point about the reasons the Nachos are good for MSU. But you haven’t answered the other side of the coin…what do you bring to the Nachos? Western and Miami see negative value in adding you to the league without BG and we aren’t going. Those two programs can’t put an extra butt in the seats when playing UND, UMD, or SCSU, what makes you think people will flock to Lawson and Goggin when you roll into town? Why would those two schools want another Minnesota team in the conference? ASU? You bet. A big name school ala Michigan or Michigan State is a winner to them so why is it you think you’ll get in when ASU’s arena is ready? Why do the Nachos have to have an even number of teams when there are examples of leagues making an odd number of teams work?
Western asked the question and answered it successfully. So now it’s your turn. Sell the virtues of your program to Western and Miami. Why Mankato?
Guys, we get the point about the reasons the Nachos are good for MSU. But you haven’t answered the other side of the coin…what do you bring to the Nachos? Western and Miami see negative value in adding you to the league without BG and we aren’t going. Those two programs can’t put an extra butt in the seats when playing UND, UMD, or SCSU, what makes you think people will flock to Lawson and Goggin when you roll into town? Why would those two schools want another Minnesota team in the conference? ASU? You bet. A big name school ala Michigan or Michigan State is a winner to them so why is it you think you’ll get in when ASU’s arena is ready? Why do the Nachos have to have an even number of teams when there are examples of leagues making an odd number of teams work?
Western asked the question and answered it successfully. So now it’s your turn. Sell the virtues of your program to Western and Miami. Why Mankato?
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
to put more Butts in the X for conference tournament.
Jimjamesak
Already insane, UAA making it worse
JohnsonsJerseys
Michigan Tech Fan
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
Way to go DU. Your fans look really pumped about your recent success.
It must be quite the thrill for kids to play in such a prestigious conference.
**Crickets Chriping**
Ryan
<img width=800 src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYiuw3xXcAA9pcw.jpg">
NCHC: Packing rinks "nationally" since 2013.
Way to go DU. Your fans look really pumped about your recent success.
It must be quite the thrill for kids to play in such a prestigious conference.
**Crickets Chriping**
Ryan
<img width=800 src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYiuw3xXcAA9pcw.jpg">
MavHockey14
New member
Denver has never been about adding butts to the seats. They have solid home attendance, however.
Do you think it was quite the thrill for Denver’s kids to win the national title last year? The NCHC tournament again this year?
bigblue_dl
Armed
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
I'm sure it is great to win a tourney to the sound of a 1 armed man clapping. Denver brings nothing to the table, and hasn't for years, even in the old WCHA.
I'm sure it is great to win a tourney to the sound of a 1 armed man clapping. Denver brings nothing to the table, and hasn't for years, even in the old WCHA.
MavHockey14
New member
Other than a consistent, winning hockey program, I agree.
bigblue_dl
Armed
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
Which in and of itself, is worth nothing to the rest of the league.
Which in and of itself, is worth nothing to the rest of the league.
gfmorris
New member
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
I think that the WCHA would be happy to have another consistent, winning program if they could trade (your pick of bottom-tier schools here).
GFM
I think that the WCHA would be happy to have another consistent, winning program if they could trade (your pick of bottom-tier schools here).
GFM
bigblue_dl
Armed
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
But that is more valuable for the WCHA than it is a league like the NCHC, which is what I was trying to say. Yes, trade UAA for Denver, and it is better for every team in the WCHA, no argument there. Trade Denver for MSU? I'll take Mankato.
But that is more valuable for the WCHA than it is a league like the NCHC, which is what I was trying to say. Yes, trade UAA for Denver, and it is better for every team in the WCHA, no argument there. Trade Denver for MSU? I'll take Mankato.
gfmorris
New member
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
Yeah, that takes out a long bus ride for most of the schools and makes it a flight for pretty much everyone (even UAH flies to the Colorado schools).
GFM
Yeah, that takes out a long bus ride for most of the schools and makes it a flight for pretty much everyone (even UAH flies to the Colorado schools).
GFM
JohnsonsJerseys
Michigan Tech Fan
Re: WCHA Season Thread 2017-18: In Which We Try For Two Bids
For local comparison, the Colorado Eagles (ECHL) an hour North of Denver can average 5k fans per game. DU sitting in the middle of Denver would have no problem selling out their 6k seat arena if people in Denver actually cared about Pioneers hockey. (The fact that they built a brand new rink and only planned for 6k seats should tell you all you need to know about attendance expectations.) Colorado is a sports state and DU isn't even on the radar for where Denver sports fans spend their money. Heck, even Colorado College is only drawing about 1k less per game than DU and their market is 1/10th the size. They also have to battle with Air Force five miles up the road for college hockey fans.
The only team I would acknowledge in the NCHC that has "strong" fan support is UND, who out-draws any team, regardless of local population. As BB stated, DU brings nothing to table, they just sit down, hold out their hand and expect everyone else to fill it with cash.
Ryan
If you've ever been to a DU home game you would change your opinion. In a city of a MILLION+ people, they can't even average 6k per game. Even Duluth (population 90,000) outdraws DU. Ever wonder why DU is so concerned about league revenue sharing? It's because they can't even fill their own barn.
For local comparison, the Colorado Eagles (ECHL) an hour North of Denver can average 5k fans per game. DU sitting in the middle of Denver would have no problem selling out their 6k seat arena if people in Denver actually cared about Pioneers hockey. (The fact that they built a brand new rink and only planned for 6k seats should tell you all you need to know about attendance expectations.) Colorado is a sports state and DU isn't even on the radar for where Denver sports fans spend their money. Heck, even Colorado College is only drawing about 1k less per game than DU and their market is 1/10th the size. They also have to battle with Air Force five miles up the road for college hockey fans.
The only team I would acknowledge in the NCHC that has "strong" fan support is UND, who out-draws any team, regardless of local population. As BB stated, DU brings nothing to table, they just sit down, hold out their hand and expect everyone else to fill it with cash.
Ryan