Well, maybe not Orono, but how about the Black Bears hosting at Cumberland
County (Portland) Civic Center, which seats about 6500 (about 1000 more
than Alfond, but probably still too small for an eastern regional)? Of
course, UNH hosted the regionals at Manchester's Verizon Center last year
(seats about 10,500), which did them little good, as the Wolverines did
not seem to have many problems adapting far away from home (hey, maybe it
was the small ice vs big ice thing for the Cats?). The Gophers? They, like
the Black Bears, also seem to pull things together in time for the NCAA
tournament most years, wherever they are sent. I think that the real
problem with bracketing, which has been discussed at length on this list
over the years, is the smaller number of large-capacity venues with strong
fan bases in the West and Mid-West compared to the East, and the dollar
still rules.

Thom Davis
UNH'71 Go Cats!!






Charles Prinn <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: - Hockey-L - The College Hockey Discussion List
<[log in to unmask]>
03/21/2005 03:41 PM
Please respond to - Hockey-L - The College Hockey Discussion List


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        cc:     (bcc: P. Thompson Davis/Faculty/Bentley)
        Subject:        Re: Regionals


Excellent point! How fair is the NCAA? Gee, let's have one team play in
their home rink. I don't think so. Who decided to run things this way?
Is it me or does Minnesoter always play at their home rink? I consider
the Excel Center their home as well the Mariucci. When will Maine play
up at Orono?

Go Black Bears!

Charles Prinn
UMO Class of 98


-----Original Message-----
From: - Hockey-L - The College Hockey Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nathan Hampton
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 2:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Regionals

Aside from the "smoke-filled room" points of view, these four regionals
are
not of equal value. By far and away I think the Western regional is
clearly
the best in terms of team talent. Minnesota stinks and is falling like a
rock, but nevertheless they are a #1 seed. Cornell should be a #1 seed
and
is playing vice-grip defense. Maine finally has Howard healthy and
playing
in top form, and given that they took BC to overtime in the HE
semifinal,
they may be the most underrated team in the tournament. And then their
is
Ohio State who has the added motivation that winning the regional gets
them
at least one NCAA frozen four game at home.

It's too bad both of the eastern regionals have the "backdoor" teams who
do
not get invited like everyone else, but only because of winning
conference
titles (Bemidji and have-Mercyhurst), but I do like the potential for a
BU
vs BC matchup, and North Dakota has caught fire the way Denver caught
fire
last year. And in the Midwest, though Grand Rapids is not Yost Arena, I
just
do not trust Michigan playing close to home. I can understand the
financial
reason for having a close-by team play in the regional, but it sure
gives
some teams a home-field advantage that is unearned and not shared by all
other teams. Even if Minnesota is a #1 seed, the other #1 seeds do not
get
to play in their home arena, so it is an advantage the NCAA gives to
teams
that has gone too far.

Nathan Hampton