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Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

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Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

I sit here in central New York, 30 years from being a season ticket holder, wondering if some (if not most) of the posters here are a bit unfair or unrealistic; after all last year Wisconsin was just one season from an NCAA appearance. As the train wreck that was last season progressed, I hoped that things would get better. Maybe they will, but when one reads on an opponents season thread things like these: "Wisconsin is so terrible it is tough to gauge BC's performance......" and "Wisconsin really is pretty pathetic" and, perhaps the most problematic..."Remember when playing and beating Wisconsin was a big deal?" its clear that something has to change. How many seasons of f-ball or B-ball would the "other" UW fan base(s) allow the Athletic Department to pretty much permit the ruin of their loved programs?

And I will add: "Remember when Wisconsin earning an NCAA tournament berth was pretty much a given?"
 
drop_the_puck said:
I miss winning, but i miss being competitive much more.
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Yep. Even during Eaves earlier down periods, the team was at least competitive (losing on a late goal or in OT). While you could tell they were a player or two away, they never looked quite so outmatched as the last year and this years teams have been.

The problem is that a bad recruiting period is going to take up to 6 years to work its way through the system. While we should be at the low ebb from the Butters fiasco in terms of on ice results, the fan response is going to be a lagging indicator and it's going to be at least two or three good competitive seasons (so 2020) before I expect attendance to start turning around short of a head coaching change.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

KaMiGo said:
What, you expect the UW Athletic Department to operate as a non-profit? And yes, that was taking it to the extreme.
Of course they are going to maximize their profits. The prices that they charge are not out of line with the rest of the sporting world.

And sure, being too aggressive in pricing may lead to a self-defeating cycle of:
fewer tickets sold -> higher prices to make up the difference - > fewer tickets sold -> higher prices to make up the difference -> fewer tickets sold

But most people on this board already have an entrenched view of the administration and how they handle hockey in general so I'm sure people will just see this as another nail in the coffin.
We all know that firing Alvarez and Eaves (and Strand and Bittner since they were hired by Eaves and are tainted) will magically lead to better recruiting, evened recruiting classes, lower ticket prices, lower parking prices, lower concession prices, the return of the Blue Line Club, alcohol sold at concession stands, sold out games, a magical environment, the return of signs in the student section, the return of the Rumble Rink chant, helpful event staff, energetic style of play, more wins, more championships, undefeated seasons, every game on national TV, mass hysteria in the state of MN...
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I'm replying to your last paragraph here. I get the sense that you weren't around for the time when Wisconsin was a national power on a year in and year out basis. As such I understand you being glib about the Rumble Rink, BLC, "Who?" "So What!" "Big Deal!", banners, energetic race horse hockey et al because you never saw and heard this all at UW and that's a shame because it should still be there. all of it. the winning, the attitude, the banners, the blc, the chants et al. If the last game you saw was in 1990, 91, 92, 93, 94 and you moved away and returned in 2015 you'd think you were watching a high school game.

I wish you could see this, I really do. I wish you understood the decline of hockey has happened solely under the watch of Barry Alvarez. Pat Richter would have never allowed this to happen, if for nothing else Barry Richter would have weighed in with his opinions and Pat would listen
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

Jurusik was very good in his first start from everything I heard on the call, but got absolutely no help from the offense after they staked him to a 1-0 lead in the first 2 minutes of the game.

It wasn't the massacre that they had in Boston 2 years ago, but it wasn't a great deal better as they were outscored 10-1 over the weekend.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

bucky15 said:
The best team in the B1G may be a program that is 4 years old.

I miss the WCHA.
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Nah. Michigan.
And MSU could be neck-and-neck with them. The Spartans will play a dull, boring and ugly brand but they will get some results...you Badger fans should appreciate that ;)
 
gwhinwi said:
It wasn't the massacre that they had in Boston 2 years ago, but it wasn't a great deal better as they were outscored 10-1 over the weekend.
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Sadly it was about what I was expecting (being swept), while I was hoping that they games would be closer. What these games just displayed is how far behind the elite teams that UW has fallen in terms of overall talent. Unfortunately, it will take 2-4 years to fix that provided that UW can land AND retain some elite players, regardless of who is the head coach.
 
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Almington said:
Sadly it was about what I was expecting (being swept), while I was hoping that they games would be closer. What these games just displayed is how far behind the elite teams that UW has fallen in terms of overall talent. Unfortunately, it will take 2-4 years to fix that provided that UW can land AND retain some elite players, regardless of who is the head coach.
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Boeser had a hat trick. Yep it starts with recruiting.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

Kunin's OHL team that owns his rights is doing quite well (Sarnia).

This is his draft year, if things get real bad I wonder if he bolts at the break. He is good friend's with Tkachuks kid who plays in.....you guessed it the OHL (London) and is doing very well.

Eaves will be nervous over Christmas break to see who actually comes back of the few players on this team that have other options.

2 players before the season already bolted for what they felt were better options.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

bucky15 said:
Kunin's OHL team that owns his rights is doing quite well (Sarnia).

This is his draft year, if things get real bad I wonder if he bolts at the break. He is good friend's with Tkachuks kid who plays in.....you guessed it the OHL (London) and is doing very well.

Eaves will be nervous over Christmas break to see who actually comes back of the few players on this team that have other options.

2 players before the season already bolted for what they felt were better options.
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There is ZERO chance Kunin bolts to the OHL at the break.
 
Almington said:
I'm calling BS. It may not be much of a chance, but it is absolutely greater than zero.
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Hey, 920am in Milwaukee still carries the games? Wow...anyway did Eaves answer any media questions after the game? Anything on getting outshot 4 to 1 last night and getting blown out 10-1 on the weekend?

I'm just curious as to what type of excuse could be concocted at this point.

On a related note I finally see people calling for Barry to go (outside of those on this forum) due to his mishandling of the Men's hockey program...that's great to see
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

solovsfett said:
Hey, 920am in Milwaukee still carries the games? Wow...
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You can join up with iheartradio (free) and listen to UW hockey on your smartphone. I could not get the game tracker to work for the men's or women's games, the live blogs were not working either, and the twitter updates were too few and far between. Nice job, UW...nice job. ;(
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

Barry will never get fired by the Board of Trustees, he makes the University too much money including the new deal with Under Armour.He'll play out his contract with the University and leave his mark on his legacy with hiring a new BB coach. With Kunin leaving I would put it at 50-50 he'll be gone for second semester. Wants to be a first round pick and if the team is sucking, he'll bolt to better his draft status.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

Badgerice said:
He'll play out his contract with the University and leave his mark on his legacy with hiring a new BB coach.
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I like the odds of Bo holding out to get what he wants there. If not, I wouldn't be shocked to see Bo hang it up and then taken everyone somewhere else for a few years (ala Dick Bennett.)
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

Off topic. Any of you guys know what's up with Gurth? Been two months since he's posted.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

burd said:
Off topic. Any of you guys know what's up with Gurth? Been two months since he's posted.
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my guess is he's mostly done with Wisconsin Hockey,...He's got the Blackhawks...once those decisions get made (as Tim said earlier: see Indycar 1994 crowds and look at today's tv numbers and crowds) you almost never get those fans back
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXIV: A Season without Chuck

solovsfett said:
my guess is he's mostly done with Wisconsin Hockey,...He's got the Blackhawks...once those decisions get made (as Tim said earlier: see Indycar 1994 crowds and look at today's tv numbers and crowds) you almost never get those fans back
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To "retire" from the boards is a thing, though, especially for long-time members....just sayin'. And no announcement, either.
 
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