tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post8821840955876917879..comments2023-09-27T07:48:02.772-05:00Comments on Western College Hockey: It's Not Easy Being AnchorageUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-30440609269302417732008-04-22T16:27:00.000-05:002008-04-22T16:27:00.000-05:00Why would you have to kick one team out to add on,...Why would you have to kick one team out to add on, or add two teams? Yes, it would make a nice even number of teams, but an 11 team league can work. With each team getting two or three bye weeks during the season and each team having three (or four) non-conference series, you don't have to have every team playing in conference every weekend. You could have any even number of teams in league play and the remaining teams in some sort of combination of non-conference games and byes.<BR/><BR/>And yes, I am a Beaver Hockey fan. But I also realize that the CHA (with an autobid) is the best spot for BSU to compete for an NCAA bid year in and year out. I realize that playing in the WCHA would probably limit BSU to a NCAA berth once every eight to ten years. But I also realize that travel costs are what is killing teams in the CHA. Having to travel to Huntsville (1232 miles), Niagara (Lewiston, NY, 1180 miles), and Robert Morris (Moon Twp., PA, 1087 miles) eats up the funds pretty fast. BSU has been lucky enough to have teams like Duluth, Mankato and North Dakota play them in Bemidji on a regular basis, but the other three schools have not, which puts them on thin ice also. This is a college hockey wide problem, not just a CHA problem.Troyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08758244666438705777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-49073700081363055492008-04-20T16:37:00.000-05:002008-04-20T16:37:00.000-05:00anon 8:57 you bring up a really Beaver backer: goo...anon 8:57 you bring up a really Beaver backer: <BR/>good point, UAA really doesn't have a rivalry because they have been very good. I think BSU would probably finish above UAA in the standings as well. The BSU coach Tom Serratore is a great coach and a pretty good recruiter and you give him a new arena and membership in the WCHA he woudl do just a good as many of the other teams in the WCHA.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-83575013538741981802008-04-19T20:57:00.000-05:002008-04-19T20:57:00.000-05:00I would say the only ignorant person would be the ...I would say the only ignorant person would be the one that doesn't understand the importance of rivalries. Adding new regional rivalries could only benefit those clubs, which there are plenty. As far as I can see, nobody considers Anchorage a rivalry. It was very short-sighted of the powers that be in the WCHA to add a team with such geographic challenges.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-36641544707853629322008-04-19T11:31:00.000-05:002008-04-19T11:31:00.000-05:00donald, just because you say Foss is a running jok...donald, just because you say Foss is a running joke in college hockey doesn't make it so. Virg is one of the more respected sports writers around college hockey. <BR/><BR/>As far as I see it; virg foss rolled you up and smoked you like a cheap dutch master cigar. Basically making you look like a petty spiteful moron most of us think you are. <BR/><BR/>I would tend to say that you might want to chill a bit, UAA isn't nothing more than a perineal door mat and will never be anything but, I can't wait to see your pre-season prediction where you say that UAA is going to finish 5th in the league again. Like it will ever happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-980841488332738922008-04-18T23:40:00.000-05:002008-04-18T23:40:00.000-05:00anon@809:LOL. Virg Foss is a running JOKE in the ...anon@809:<BR/>LOL. Virg Foss is a running JOKE in the college hockey world. He's a boob that is slowly reverting to illiteracy. LOL. Anyhow ... I didn't say I pounded him. I said I "busted his chops". <BR/><BR/>And I love your interpretation of "complete melt down mode". If you honestly think what you've read here is some indication of a melt down then ... deary you apparently live in an excessively repressed sheltered world. <BR/><BR/>I know it's a challenge somehow to grasp for some brush with which to paint me negatively ... it's too bad you don't understand that anyone reading this crap is perfectly capable of interpreting what's been written without your inaccurate characterizations.<BR/><BR/>Anon@904:<BR/>Call me as many weak names as you'd like. LOL. None of that sort of petty hatred fazes me in any way. On the contrary it is ironically funny since when I actually do venture into insult, the result is leap years ahead of that sort of insipidly boorish attempt.Donald Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06157861465464109957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-47629854931060467652008-04-18T23:24:00.000-05:002008-04-18T23:24:00.000-05:00As far as UAA footing the bill for other teams tra...As far as UAA footing the bill for other teams travel to Alaska, it has not been phased out yet. UAA paid for 20 tickets when Minnesota came up here, and most WCHA schools are fighting the phase out.<BR/><BR/>UAA is still footing most of the bill.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-38955766174871087732008-04-18T21:04:00.000-05:002008-04-18T21:04:00.000-05:00Donny Boy...I hope you are not thinking it's only ...Donny Boy...I hope you are not thinking it's only UND fans busting your balls....Us out here in Badger land think you're a dumbass too.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-28888073396604530012008-04-18T20:09:00.000-05:002008-04-18T20:09:00.000-05:00Donald just because you said you pounded Virg does...Donald just because you said you pounded Virg doesn't mean you actually did. You're not worthy of sniffing Virg's underwear. I like how the minute your precious cellar dwellar is attacked you're in complete melt down mode. I wonder if Chris did this to fish you out of the snow?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-87275072899965193852008-04-18T19:11:00.000-05:002008-04-18T19:11:00.000-05:00Anon @ 615:I sure would like to see you point out ...Anon @ 615:<BR/>I sure would like to see you point out my lack of civility here. I busted Virg's chops ... I pointed out that provincial rubes are the ones calling for UAA's ouster ... other than that I see plenty of civility in my comments. On the other hand ... a number of what you'd call less than civil comments have been directed at me ... i.e... asshole, stupid (2 times), and then bully and ass by you when you're moaning about me not being civil? LOL. Pot meet kettle.<BR/><BR/>As to your point about the UAA fanbase. I made that point already. I don't claim to speak for the UAA fanbase and ANY UAA fan that reads me regularly is well aware of that. I speak for me. I do so in a manner that is natural for me (and I already used the descriptor "bombastic"). The thing is that I'm an admitted asshole. Go to my blog and use the search function with the word "asshole". You'll find I've self-referentially used it multiple times.<BR/><BR/>Lengthen your skirt a bit Nancy. The real issue is that people don't like to get PWND when they type something on the internet and in this little corner of the internet world they often do get PWND by me. This interchange being a good example.Donald Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06157861465464109957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-43098655612151278662008-04-18T19:04:00.000-05:002008-04-18T19:04:00.000-05:00Since I don't frequent this blog I didn't know whe...Since I don't frequent this blog I didn't know whether or not there was a profanity filter or not(whether there is even such feature for blogs hosted by blogspot?). I'm glad you were able to understand and deduce what @$$ meant.<BR/><BR/>And to make you feel all jolly and happy: Your an asshole ;)<BR/><BR/>Wouldn't it be more beneficial for UAA to the CHA though? I mean it'd definitely be a morale booster for the program to get may I be bold and say it...4-6 wins in a season!! <BR/><BR/>In seriousness, UAA has proved to be a competitive team in the WCHA despite being basement dwellers. They should remain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-79771568601625186012008-04-18T18:48:00.000-05:002008-04-18T18:48:00.000-05:00SERIOUSLY FOLKS, we don't want to get rid of the U...SERIOUSLY FOLKS, we don't want to get rid of the UAA doormat, they are good for 6-8 points for your team every season. I will predict they finish 10th again next season. <BR/><BR/>I am just waiting for the next stupid thing that donald is going to say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-44849906144884461112008-04-18T18:15:00.000-05:002008-04-18T18:15:00.000-05:00Dear Donald: I'm sure that the UAA fans that you l...Dear Donald: I'm sure that the UAA fans that you like to say you support would also think that you're a bully and an ass. Don't pretend to speak for the entire UAA fan base. I have spoken to several that don't like you and don't agree with your bombastic ways. I guess your response to them would be "go screw yourself". There are far more effective and inteligent ways to support your team and get your point across than be acting like a petulent little jerk. <BR/><BR/>By the sounds of most of the coments here it appears that everyone but you has an ability to get their message across without crossing the line of civility. Most of the posteres actually show support for Alaska but don't agree with your methods. Maybe there is a lesson in there somewhere. <BR/><BR/>Hockey is tough hard hitting sport that is played on the ice. It's not played on these posts by prima donnas such as yourself. Get real, take a reality pill and try to be constructive instead of disruptive. You might actually acomplish something. Ta TaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-24617997421327718942008-04-18T17:49:00.000-05:002008-04-18T17:49:00.000-05:00Dan,32 conference games is just too many. The sch...Dan,<BR/>32 conference games is just too many. The schedule limit for regular season games mandated by the NCAA is 34. A 32 game conference schedule would greatly limit the number of possible out of conference comparisons and that 12 team league would end up screwed in the NCAA's. It wouldn't be a bad idea if you can manage to keep the schedule to 28 games.<BR/><BR/>But I have another suggestion. UND resigns from the WCHA and joins the CHA. That completely saves the CHA from folding. It doesn't hurt UND in the least. In fact the positives far outweigh the negatives. The Ralph would be the premier rink in that league and could host the CHAFF every year meaning 4 sold out dates. The WCHA scheduling arrangement with Bemidji would obviously be extended to UND. Minnesota, St. Cloud and Mankato would be more than interested in playing them at least twice in order to maintain their existing rivalry. DU would certainly be interested as well with their growing rivalry and the CC/UND series have been becoming more intense over the last few years as well. UND wouldn't ever have to worry about making the NCAA's and continuing their patented late season surges. They'd be dominant all year.<BR/><BR/>It'd be a minor benefit to the WCHA fan as they'd no longer have to listen to the incessant whining from Grand Forks.<BR/><BR/>UND to the CHA in 2010!<BR/><BR/>And oh yeah ... does anyone else see the stupidity of typing @$$hole and thinking that somehow masks the meaning? Just type out asshole next time you weeny. Anyone reading still pronounces it the same ya know? What is the point? Afraid of words?Donald Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06157861465464109957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-42577494225031784742008-04-18T14:07:00.000-05:002008-04-18T14:07:00.000-05:00There are so many logistical impossibilities to ma...There are so many logistical impossibilities to make any league involving Canadian Universities (i.e., U of British Columbia). Many of the top programs in the CIS are primarily graduated WHL/OHL/QMJHL players, ineligible to compete in the NCAA. The league is very underrated and would have no interest in expanding into the US due to travel costs and many other logistics involving player eligibility.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-22881281488160841862008-04-18T13:31:00.000-05:002008-04-18T13:31:00.000-05:00Could you go with Bemidji State and Air Force and ...Could you go with Bemidji State and Air Force and split the conference into two divisions like East and West ala college football. <BR/><BR/>In the west: UAA, CC, DENVER, AFA, UND, BSU.<BR/><BR/>In the east: MIN, UMD, WIS, SCSU, MTU, MSU.<BR/><BR/>You play four games a year against teams in your division, two against teams in the other division, rotating home series every year. <BR/><BR/>The top two teams from each division and one wildcard (the best remaining team from either division) go to St. Paul and the Final Five. Give the western teams a bit more of the FF kitty to help with travel expenses. That would mean 32 conference games and room for about two or three nonconference series. <BR/><BR/>I think it'd be fun... more conference games, more excitement... something new and unique.Dan Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17297463662251782238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-70876514034845249212008-04-18T13:16:00.000-05:002008-04-18T13:16:00.000-05:00Add Bemidji State and figure out a way to nab Air ...Add Bemidji State and figure out a way to nab Air Force from Atlantic Hockey... play with 12 teams. problem solved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-48307126465443935392008-04-18T12:46:00.000-05:002008-04-18T12:46:00.000-05:00I think there are enough minnesota schools in the ...I think there are enough minnesota schools in the wcha. I remember earlier this season after interviewing some players following a cc-uaa game. CC players were talking about how neat it was to tour the city of Anchorage, and how the trip was a nice change compared to traveling to other schools.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208149371584745254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-50501066135088752982008-04-18T12:06:00.000-05:002008-04-18T12:06:00.000-05:00Wow I'm surprised Virg took the time to respond to...Wow I'm surprised Virg took the time to respond to a jackass like Donald. Seriously I like the Seawolves program but Donald is an @$$hole and I hate having to glance by his posts whenever he feels compelled to spill his UAA crap all over the blogosphere whenever someone talks remotely negative about his beloved UAA.<BR/><BR/>Do I think Bemidji State should get membership into the league? Yes. Should UAA be kicked to curb as result? No.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-67625381182026055412008-04-18T09:55:00.000-05:002008-04-18T09:55:00.000-05:00Here are the distances:Bemidji to......Grand Forks...Here are the distances:<BR/><BR/>Bemidji to......<BR/>Grand Forks (UND): 114 miles<BR/>Duluth (UMD): 150 miles<BR/>St. Cloud (SCSU): 155 miles<BR/>Minneapolis (UM): 223 miles<BR/>Mankato (MSU-M): 295 miles<BR/>Houghton (Tech): 363 miles<BR/>Madison (UW): 485 miles<BR/><BR/>So make your own conclusions regarding travel. Looks like it would benefit SCSU, UND, and UMD (and maybe UM) to travel to Bemidji rather than fly to UAA.<BR/><BR/>Tech, Mankato, and Madison would have long bus rides. <BR/><BR/>I'm not saying UAA should be kicked out for Bemidji (a real long-shot no matter what you believe), but providing real data to base travel analysis on regarding the two teams.<BR/><BR/>IMO there are 2 things that are pushing some people to favor adding Bemidji and booting UAA:<BR/><BR/>1. Bemidji just received funding to build a new convention center, which includes a brand new arena to house the BSU Beavers.<BR/><BR/>2. UAA has finished in last place the previous three years, and people always want to kick out the cellar dwellars. <BR/><BR/>My opinion is that UAA will stay in the conference and Bemidji will play the next few years on their WCHA-enhanced schedule (WCHA team rotation every year). After that, who knows....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-61119513611922623782008-04-18T09:45:00.000-05:002008-04-18T09:45:00.000-05:00What Virg says in his response back to the UAA pos...What Virg says in his response back to the UAA poster in his first sentence shows an interesting contrast in the character of these two.<BR/><BR/>It is also interesting to note the UAA posters responses later on like:<BR/><BR/>"The reality is the only people "talking" about it are ignorant fans."<BR/><BR/>"I don't attack the integrity or intelligence of anyone that has a different opinion." <BR/><BR/>"I attack the integrity or intelligence of people that lack integrity or intelligence."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-55930602411941376992008-04-18T00:04:00.000-05:002008-04-18T00:04:00.000-05:00Ahh ... the time difference. It's a 2 hour change ...Ahh ... the time difference. It's a 2 hour change for DU and CC; a 3 hour change for everyone else. I hope I'm not mistaken there.<BR/><BR/>I believe Michigan Tech is in the Eastern Time zone which would be 4 hour change. Yuck! Otherwise I agree with your opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-83802799418866435252008-04-17T23:30:00.000-05:002008-04-17T23:30:00.000-05:00As for keeping Alaskan talent in Alaska, in regard...As for keeping Alaskan talent in Alaska, in regards to UAA, we did pick up Bryce Christiansen. I am not sure how much weight to put on a almost 21 year old who was brought up to replace a serious eye injury to the number 2 goalie. He would have been losing eligibility if he stayed in B.C. The fact is that at least at one point there was talk of him going to a major school. I do believe that Maine was looking that direction as Minny might have been before they picked up Kangas, at least those are the rumors that I remember hearing. He was also being scouted for the NHL draft. I think that both he and McCabe have good potential and will push the program in the right direction. The question is will they be pushed to reach potential and will Dave and company be able to recruit talent to help them out. We have a start but only a start. We need some top end talent coming up here in order to compete.Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04701872816213123184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-52016244310824773852008-04-17T22:37:00.000-05:002008-04-17T22:37:00.000-05:00I don't attack the integrity or intelligence of an...I don't attack the integrity or intelligence of <B>anyone</B> that has a different opinion. <BR/><BR/>I attack the integrity or intelligence of people that lack integrity or intelligence.<BR/><BR/>Lets do a quick comparison since attendance seems to be on everyone's mind. <BR/>UAA's attendance this year was 3674/game for 59.2% of rink capacity<BR/>Bemidji's was 2358/game for 52.7% of rink capacity.<BR/><BR/>UAA's attendance ranked 20th in the nation. Bemidji's was 49th. UAA's was higher than Miami, Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, Clarkson, Notre Dame and some former national champions.<BR/><BR/>Bemidji's new rink is projected to hold how many people? 4,000? UAA is planning for a new rink. It's current projected seats are 7,500.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure but I think 3600 people make more noise than 2300.<BR/><BR/>Ahh ... the time difference. It's a 2 hour change for DU and CC; a 3 hour change for everyone else. I hope I'm not mistaken there.<BR/><BR/>There certainly is an issue when instead of playing a game at 7pm as your body is used to you have to play at 10pm. Naps help. Unlike travel to Denver and Colorado Springs where you have to adapt to altitude. So which is better? Trying to adapt to altitude or a 3 hour time change? One takes a couple of extra days and the other takes a nap.<BR/><BR/>Using the Alaska based player's tendency to go elsewhere is a valid example however it is somewhat moderated when you factor in that elite players from anywhere (including Minnesota) want to go play for elite programs. That's how Minny kids end up at UND, BC, BU, DU, CC et al. That being the case I'd agree that in Alaska's case it is a problem. However, it's a problem for UAA. It isn't a problem for the 9 other teams in the league.<BR/><BR/>Stability in coaching has unfortunately been the primary cause in my opinion. Dean Talafous ignored local talent in favor of UofM, St. Cloud and UMD rejects. John Hill mended those fences in the community but stabbed everyone in the back with his unexpected decision to leave. Shyiak just completed his third year but is yet to secure a committment from an elite Alaskan. Finishing 10th in 3 str8 years does that.<BR/><BR/>Lastly ... as to my communications style (or "malicious rants" as you characterize them); I could care less how others judge them. I care that folks who care about UAA know that I'm here and I've got the program's back covered. More than a few UAA supporters don't appreciate my "style". Oh well. I'm not a diplomat (but I assure you I could be and am more than "professional" when it is appropriate). I'm a hockey fan. Hockey is a aggressive hard hitting fast paced game. I'm bombastic and/or offensive with (and on) purpose.Donald Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06157861465464109957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-27733756776186728772008-04-17T22:30:00.000-05:002008-04-17T22:30:00.000-05:00I know on SiouxSports.com, they have discussed res...I know on SiouxSports.com, they have discussed reshuffling all of college hockey so it makes more geographical sense and fair to all. Has this blog done the same? Just curious. Maybe doing a total overhaul is what's needed across the whole college hockey nation. Maybe CC, UAA, UA-Fairbanks could be a conference?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12302090.post-7564888344599851322008-04-17T22:29:00.000-05:002008-04-17T22:29:00.000-05:00I agree with the last post that states that everyo...I agree with the last post that states that everyone has an opinion on the UAA situation in the WCHA. The reality is that there are better situations for the WCHA than UAA. Bemidji, Nebraka Omaha are two that come to mind at this point. Competitiveness, Geography, atmosphere in the building, Time zone change are just the cusp of the issues that i am sure are getting evaluated by the top brass of the league. Only time will tell. Alaska could help themselves with filling the building for home games and finishing out of the cellar. ( 3 times in a row )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com