Interesting. I think his idea is a good one, but his reasoning in faulty. But I agree with his idea for a totally difference reason - attendance. Jack Parker (former BU coach for those who don't know) was doing the radio commentary for our game tonight. One of his comments was that "these players shouldn't have to play the final game of their college careers in front of just family and friends." He said that, although he was one of the advocates of the current expansion to 16 teams format, it was clear that it has not worked out. It was downright embarrassing looking at all these empty buildings. First of all, you can't compare hockey to basketball. Period. Hockey is a regional sport, and no matter how much they try to "grow" the game, the interest in most areas will be marginal at best. I know that the big buzzword in this country today is "expansion." This idea of "bigger is better" is ludicrous. Parker also commented that the nature of hockey does not lend itself well to a single-elimination format. He feels they should add in one more weekend (the only reason we have two weeks between the regionals and the Frozen Four anyway is because they don't want to go up against the basketball Final Four) and make all the rounds before the Frozen Four a double-elimination format. It's NOT to "keep out" programs like Quinnipiac (I mean, they are the #1 seed so they're going to be there anyway). It's to, first and foremost, provide an ATMOSPHERE worthy of the game. Aren't you tired of looking at empty arenas? Do you think it's enjoyable to watch a game when you can hear what every player is yelling because nobody is there? Imagine, for a moment, that "your team" hypothetically had to travel to, say, St. Paul to play in your league tournament, Worcester to play in a regional, and Denver to play in the Frozen Four. How many fans (remember, we're not all Ivy Leaguers) could afford (either from a financial or time perspective) to attend? Again, I contrast with basketball, because for the most part, it is larger schools with HUGE fan bases (and even THOSE arenas are half-empty in the first round games). The proof is in the pudding. You can't even argue the point (unless you are blind) because there is relatively NOBODY at these games. Regardless of whether you agree with his premise or not, SOMETHING has to be done.
