Beginning next season UAA and UAF (and their fans) will continue see each other four times a year but only during two of those proximal circumstances will they be playing hockey (against each other anyway). UAA announced today that each would be perennial participants in the other's yearly tournament.
I'd mentioned the likelihood of decreasing the number of games between the Seawolves and Nanooks in this post last December. With only 6 non-conference games (after the league mandated 28) both schools were limiting comparsions that could have turned out to be the difference between getting into the NCAA's or watching them on TV. Some fans of the rivalry might be disappointed by this move. I'm a fan of the rivarly though, and I think it just makes the two games we do play even more important. Or as Steve Cobb said better in this ADN story,
It'll be in both schools interest to get the best possible teams into each of these tournaments. That might be a bit of an issue; I sense that part of the politics of keeping the "Alaska exemption" (i.e... teams that play here don't have to count the games against their 34 game limit) is to spread around the invitations so as many schools as possible can enjoy the benefit of scheduling two additional home games.
I'd mentioned the likelihood of decreasing the number of games between the Seawolves and Nanooks in this post last December. With only 6 non-conference games (after the league mandated 28) both schools were limiting comparsions that could have turned out to be the difference between getting into the NCAA's or watching them on TV. Some fans of the rivalry might be disappointed by this move. I'm a fan of the rivarly though, and I think it just makes the two games we do play even more important. Or as Steve Cobb said better in this ADN story,
"Any time you shorten things up, you heighten the intensity,'' "With a two-game series, you can't just go out and waste a period. Everything is for keeps, from the first drop of the puck to the final horn.''Let's face it ... go to an early game at the Nye Tournament the only people you'll see there are a few hardcore locals and the traveling fans. Come watch Robert Morris vs. Wayne State this season ... the joint will be empty. Do you think with UAF playing "Joe Blow U" the Sully will be empty? Nope. It'll be substantially filled. UAF has a pretty large contingent of traveling fans along with a substantial number of supporters who live in Anchorage (yes ... it's true ... they are among us every day!!) Same thing when UAA goes up there to play. More butts in the seats. Add in the fact that the games UAA and UAF get against teams from outside their conferences will improve "comparisons" in the NCAA's tournament computations and you've got a quality win-win situation.
It'll be in both schools interest to get the best possible teams into each of these tournaments. That might be a bit of an issue; I sense that part of the politics of keeping the "Alaska exemption" (i.e... teams that play here don't have to count the games against their 34 game limit) is to spread around the invitations so as many schools as possible can enjoy the benefit of scheduling two additional home games.
4 comments:
ok so u make the games part of a turny what the fuck happens to the cup its seems dead and that if that happens I will no longer watch the cup symbolizes the so much between the two schools and is worth more braging rights not just the schools but the cities I feel this change is horrible for the rivalry
Many many things are more important than the Governor's Cup ...
Going to the Final Five ...
Home ice for the WCHA playoffs ...
Winning a WCHA championship (regular season or Final Five) ...
Getting into the NCAA tourney ...
Getting to the Frozen Four ...
Winning a National Championship ...
Achieving any of those would obviously be a higher accomplishment than winning the Governor's Cup. Measuring success by the limp yardstick of beating your rival is a guaranteed non-stop ticket to mediocrity.
The future success of the UAA program won't come from beating FBX (even if we played them 16 times a season and beat them by a combined score of 109-14). It will come from regularly beating Minnesota, Wisconsin, DU, UND, CC, SCSU, Duluth, Mankato and Michigan Tech.
Would you rather win four games amongst each other or have a chance at playing in the NCAA tourney?
Not that it has anything to do with this but I did recall another anti-bu chant...
"Bad Dog!"
Just throw in a couple claps and continue in the same pattern whenever they get penalized.
Hey, good luck with the fight for the rink. You need some t-shirts or something! ;)
Keep up the good fight!
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