>Also, apparently the time of the championship game in Providence on
>Sat 4/1/95 has been switched to 1:30 pm EST - I had not heard this,
>and it is very good news.  It should improve the chances of the game
>being seen by more collegiate sports fans since it won't be going up
>against the men's hoop semis.
 
That is very interesting news.  But how about the ESPN coverage?  I thought the
reason the finals played on Saturday night was because ESPN wanted some
programming to fill its schedule while CBS aired the b-ball semis.  It doesn't
make much sense for ESPN to contintue to air the finals on Saturday night,
since that would make the event even less attractive ratings-wise.  I could see
showing a tape delay of the game on Sunday, or even the next weekend, like they
they did when Wisconsin beat Colgate in '91 (sigh).  I don't think a tape delay
is in the best interests of college hockey, in terms of national exposure.
 
IMHO the way to go to maximize exposure is to play the semis as a "twi-night"
doubleheader on Friday.  The finals would then be played on Sunday afternoon.
In so doing you put your finals in time periods that would attract the greatest
tv audience.  It also makes it easier on the fans who travel to see the games,
since it's one less day away from work.
 
I suppose they are making the change at this time so the tickets will have the
right times on them.  I just hope they don't lose the live telecast because of
it.
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