That assumes the big fish only want to play with the big fish, which might
be understandable, except that there aren't that many big fish in the pond.
The result of a 22-game conference schedule might just be that the WCHA is
forced to open up what has been criticized by some as an insular schedule.
Going by last season's Minnesota schedule, the previous scheduling
arrangement left time for just six out-of-conference games (not counting
exhibitions, of course).  BU, on the other hand, played that many before the
end of November (and Clarkson will play seven before even starting the
regular season in 2009-10).

That said, there isn't anything to keep some of those 72 non-conference
games between WCHA oppenents anyway.

-Todd
creasemonkeyhockey.blogspot.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Parter" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 11:04 AM
Subject: Re: org charts - WCHA


> > I really think this is an opportunity for the WCHA to strengthen it's
> > out-of-league schedule and would personally like to see games
> > scheduled regularly with Hockey East again. Back when the two leagues
> > had an interlocking schedule, it was a most exciting time and HE
> > looked forward to matching wits with the WCHA. Very, very enjoyable
> > for the fans and I'm fairly sure the players liked it also. I know we
> > can't get back to that kind of schedule, but if games could be
> > scheduled on a regular basis between the two leagues, I think it
> > would be great for college hockey in general and give us so much more
> > to talk about when playoff time starts to come around.
>
> Assuming a 22-game regular season schedule (2 games per league
> opponent), compared to the current 28-game regular season schedule, that
> requires 72 more non-conference games. I don't think that 72 more games
> are out there to be scheduled.
>
> For most (all?) WCHA schools, scheduling most HE teams is not attractive
> to the fans ("who the hell is lowell?"), and thus reduced ticket
> sales/revenue. That is the last thing schools want. They are already
> unhappy about the potential lost revenue of adding two schools that no
> one has heard of, and having to split league revenue 12 ways instead of
10.
>
> > On Jun 29, 2009, at 12:28 AM, Sara M. Fagan wrote:
> >
> > > Why are 2 games per team too few?  The ECAC plays each other team 2
> > > times (home and away).  They then have openings to play teams in
> > > other leagues.  I really like the ECAC setup.  It is a balanced
> > > schedule.  I find it very fair.
>
> The ECAC schools are not quite as close to each other as HE (where most
> of the rinks are within a slapshot of each other), but travel in the
> WCHA make the 2-game series the only practical choice.
>
>    --david