2008 State Tournament Attendance

[twowayplay]

I was at the semi's last night and it just is'nt good at the X. Move it to Mariucci

[Roman Legion]

Went on Thursday and watched the rest at home. Very disappointing attendance and atmosphere. Although the "X" is the best rink in North America, it is horrible when no one is there.

Read the article with Darawitz in the Trib.

Went to Ridder to watch MN vs. Wisc. Great atmosphere, wonderful experience.

Amazing difference in the environment from one to the other. State will always be at the "X" unless the boys move (which is not going to happen). So this is pointless but the tournament should move to a smaller venue.

[xwildfan]

Have mentioned this on another thread; but MN really should look to the Canadians for guidance regarding venues. When the venue was chosen for the Women's World U18 Tourney, one of the most important things the organizers were concerned with was atmosphere. They wanted to have the championship at a venue that would provide excitement, noise, and a big-time event "feel." There was no consideration to holding the event at a venue the size that hosts the corresponding boys Junior Championships. The Canadians chose the Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary. Capacity: 3000. And the result was a SRO crowd. I think if a group of parents of the Canadian players said that their girls should play at a similar venue as the boys, they would have been laughed out of town. Actually, I don't think it would ever have occurred to the Canadian parents to even have this thought cross their minds. Put the tourney back at Ridder until there is a waiting list for tickets.

[GOCARDS1]

Having watched all but two games that were played at the Xcel, I liked watching the hockey there. It is a good experience just to be in the Xcel. I think all of the players loved it as well. The Alex/Roseau game had a very good/exciting atmosphere for a Class A game between two northern teams. The class A champ. game also had a good atmosphere. Alexandria had a nice fan section for a class A school. The first AA evening session also had a very good hockey atmosphere. So basically, its games that end with a 12-1 or 9-1 result, that really don't belong at the Xcel and ruin the atmosphere. The majority of the games at the Xcel were close and exciting games, and I didn't really take in the empty seats, but the game on the ice.

[Hux]

I'm assuming all of you guys complaining about filling the X are all parents...have you ever thought of what it means for the players to play there...personally when i'm playing, i don't hear the fans i don't even look at the fans...i'm focused on the game...but it really means a lot to play in the X and it's very well deserved

Personally, if I'm playing, I'd rather be in front of a raucous crowd in a building that is pretty much filled, than playing in an empty building because it is where the boys or Wild play. Big whoop. Give me atmosphere, but that is me. I know there was talk in Massachusetts about taking the girls finals to the Garden, and everyone said "Why, when you can play before a full house at Harvard's Bright Hockey Center?"

I'm sure with the players there is a certain cache that goes with playing at the X, given the esteem playing there is held on the boys side. However, I would think that if you can play at Ridder, and get good sized crowds and create an "atmosphere" you will also create a buzz about playing and watching a game there. It then wouldn't take long to make the demand such that the place would sell out in advance. And as mentioned, after four or five years there would be demand enough to warrant going over to Mariucci, and you could build it out from there.

[xwildfan]

I'm assuming all of you guys complaining about filling the X are all parents...have you ever thought of what it means for the players to play there...personally when i'm playing, i don't hear the fans i don't even look at the fans...i'm focused on the game...but it really means a lot to play in the X and it's very well deserved

Personally, if I'm playing, I'd rather be in front of a raucous crowd in a building that is pretty much filled, than playing in an empty building because it is where the boys or Wild play. Big whoop. Give me atmosphere, but that is me. I know there was talk in Massachusetts about taking the girls finals to the Garden, and everyone said "Why, when you can play before a full house at Harvard's Bright Hockey Center?"

I'm sure with the players there is a certain cache that goes with playing at the X, given the esteem playing there is held on the boys side. However, I would think that if you can play at Ridder, and get good sized crowds and create an "atmosphere" you will also create a buzz about playing and watching a game there. It then wouldn't take long to make the demand such that the place would sell out in advance. And as mentioned, after four or five years there would be demand enough to warrant going over to Mariucci, and you could build it out from there.

Hux, this makes way too much sense to fly with the powers at be in Minnesota.

[MNHockeyFan]

Hux, this makes way too much sense to fly with the powers at be in Minnesota.

I know that many of the girls are just thrilled to be able to play at the X. Not only does this involve the pure magic of the place, where the Wild play, etc,. they say they are treated to make them feel really special, which apparently isn't the case at Ridder, where it seems they are made to feel like they're playing just another scheduled game.

But speaking on behalf of what's in the best interest of the girl's high school game at large, I think a move back to Ridder would be the wise choice. Make it a hard ticket to get, and this creates buzz and excitement for the fans. Once the demand overwhelms the supply of available tickets, then move it to Mariucci, where there are plenty of great seats that should be plenty adequate for the foreseeable future.

[chickendance]

The boys tournament should move to Marriuci as well. If Ridder and Marriuci were the venue, and the expectation was for that venue, none of the girls or boys would complain about going there. Remember most of them will not have ever played at the X either and won't know the difference. You will not convince me that my daughter will care one bit that she was hoisting the Championship trophey at Marriucci or Ridder.

If your there to watch your team the atmosphere at the X is fine because you don't care. However, most don't stay to watch the next game. If your team aint in the fight the atmosphere is poor at best. I sat there and at Ridder most of the weekend. I have done it several years. I just plain disagree that a mostly empty X has the excitement of a highschool hockey rink the rest of the year.

The reason they feel special at the X, is because thats where all the vendors are, the Nike Bauer booth, etc... If the Carnival atmosphere switches to Ridder they would feel special too. (Did I really use the word feel?)

Lastly, this argument is about cost. The X is plain not affordable for the MSHSL to continue with these numbers. If the X wants to do it for 1/3 the price, or free, maybe this argument goes away.

Oh by the way, remember half the kids will be playing at Ridder multiple times a year in the future as either visiting teams or regulars from the looks of the recruiting pages.

[boblee]

Last year I was there all day Thursday and then at Ridder Friday morning.

This year I was at the X all day Thursday and I went to the title game Saturday (AA).

Both years I watched the rest on TV. I love it at the X and I know the girls do too, it is just impossible to get a rowdy atmosphere there. I saw move it to Mariucci or even Aldrich. I would rather have the overflowing crowds than the dismal ones at the X. With that said, the X isn't a bad alternative.

[Cabela10]

I saw move it to Mariucci or even Aldrich.

I don't understand why everybody likes Aldrich Arena. The place is a dump and the seating sucks.

Mariucci wouldn't be the answer either because that is an Olympic sized rink. That would not help out the slow paced game that the girls bring. Ridder would be the right place. I think it would be cool to head up to Thief River Falls once in a while to host a State Tournament. Never been in the rink, but heard it's awesome.

[BCGHockey]

Mariucci I agree is not the answer. I don't like the idea of playing on such a big sheet of ice. Just to many teams not used to that size of ice. Besides I think the size would also slow the game down.

[Cabela10]

Is Ridder standard or Olympic size?

[hockey_rocker]

I think Ridder with some reserved seating available like they have for the gopher games is the answer. It was tough getting there early all the time to get a good seat in the past. I still don't like the sitelines there but the atmosphere is great. I was there after the Miss Hockey Banquet on Sunday adimission was $1 and the place was packed. It was awesome. Even the suites had people in them. One other issue I became aware of. Since there is not a replay screen available there, that means they cannot show any replays at the boys tournament because of the equality issue.

[hockey_rocker]

Is Ridder standard or Olympic size?

Standard

[boblee]

I know this sounds silly, but I don't think Ridder is the answer because it's too small. The fan base continues to grow and that rink can't hold many. I would like it for now. Maybe just play it at the State Fairgrounds.

[pondhockey]

Since there is not a replay screen available there, that means they cannot show any replays at the boys tournament because of the equality issue.

I hope I am misunderstanding your point. You're not saying that the girls should have all their games at the Ridder and not have any replay opportunities, so the boys would have replays at all their games, are you?

[hockeywild7]

The fairgrounds coliseum is a dump. I couldn't think of a worse place to have it. I have seen alot of boys sectional finals games there and the seating sucks as well as the building itself. I would rather have it at Mariucci arena. I don't think the rink size is that critical. I have seen many games on olympic size ice and it isn't a big difference.

[MNHockeyFan]

The fairgrounds coliseum is a dump. I couldn't think of a worse place to have it. I have seen alot of boys sectional finals games there and the seating sucks as well as the building itself. I would rather have it at Mariucci arena. I don't think the rink size is that critical. I have seen many games on olympic size ice and it isn't a big difference.

Agreed, plus almost all of the girls get plenty of experience on Olympic sized sheets growing up, playing in the summer, etc. Most everyone has played at the Super Rink on numerous occasions, plus other rinks like Plymouth, EP, etc. I've seen plenty of great girls games on these sheets.

My vote would be to have all of the Championship round games at Mariucci and the Consolation games next door at Ridder. If they wanted to people could just walk back and forth and easily attend whichever sessions they want to see.

[hockey_rocker]

Since there is not a replay screen available there, that means they cannot show any replays at the boys tournament because of the equality issue.

I hope I am misunderstanding your point. You're not saying that the girls should have all their games at the Ridder and not have any replay opportunities, so the boys would have replays at all their games, are you?

Oh no. Not at all. I love the replays. It's just one of those silly High School League equity rules that may have some bearing on why they keep it at the X. When it was at Ridder the boys lost the privelage. God knows the boys fans don't want us girls fans messing with their replays again. I say put a screen in at Ridder then.

[gopher25]

You could do what they did for soccer and football. They now make all quarterfinal state tournament games to be played on Artificial turf. So when teams get to the dome the playing field is equal.

So why not have all section tournaments on Olympic Sheets of ice. Plymouth, SSR, Warroad, National Hockey Center (is olympic right) St. Mary's in Winnoa is a wider sheet of ice than most. see what i am getting at. You could also achieve what others on this board have been saying by consolidating the section finals so 4a,4AA,5a,5AA could be at SSR, 2a,2AA,3a,3AA could be at BIG 3. ect...

They have to get the tournament out of the X, too expensive and for little atmosphere. The tickets shouldn't be 7.00 to get into a game. or 10 for adults they are trying to grow the game. A family of 4 is never going to go to a game if it is too expensive.

[xwildfan]

Just got home from Mariucci Arena where there were two section final games. Two overtime games; Edina over Burnsville and BSM over Minnetonka.

What a dreadful experience. First, we actually had to search for a parking lot that wasn't full to park the car. Then we had to wait in line for tickets to the games; and we had to put up with enthusiastic fans from both schools who were taunting each other with good-natured chants, while we were in the Mariucci lobby.

It gets worse. To find a seat was like walking a gauntlet; so many people in one place; hard to avoid being jostled by these unruly fans from the opposing schools. Some of the fans even had painted faces with school colors.

And the noise! It was almost unbearable. Fans yelling and screaming. And get this: they were standing up; so, we had to stand up as well. And I can't even convey how disruptive the bands were. Made it very hard to concentrate on the game.

And when a goal was scored, the crowd really made a lot of noise. There was even cheering for saves and scoring chances. And then the fans were up on their feet again. It was like an aerobics class.

And we had to put up with people in front of us; and in back of us; and to the side of us. And they just would not stop making noise. And the students from the opposing schools would actually trade sarcastic cheers from the opposite side of the arena. It was really a bit much.

And the players seemed to enjoy the noise, and when a player would score a goal, he would head over to the fans and almost celebrate with them. It almost seemed like the fans enthusiasm would actually help the players skate faster and play harder. I must have been imagining this.

I am so glad that the people in charge of the Girls State Tourney (and the parents who initiated the move to the X) saved us girls hockey fans and players from ever experiencing anything remotely close to a boys section final game.

[MNHockeyFan]

I am so glad that the people in charge of the Girls State Tourney (and the parents who initiated the move to the X) saved us girls hockey fans and players from ever experiencing anything remotely close to a boys section final game.

x, I was there too, and your post (filled with hilarious sarcasm) says it all.

[fan4fun]

Well said

[keepitreal]

According to reports, last night a "crowd" of 574 fans watched the women Gophers defeat North Dakota in the first round of the WCHA playoffs at Ridder Arena...

...meanwhile up the road at the dump, er, Coliseum, 8,036 fans watched a boys high school section final between White Bear Lake and Hill Murray.

Not a direct point to be made in regards to girls HS hockey, but quite a contrast nonetheless.

It's hard to imagine the girls tourney ever needing a 9,000 seat arena like Mariucci, much less the X. Ridder's 3,400 seats would probably be ideal.

One idea, you could occupy both buildings at the U and allow people with a ticket to move between the two venues to see both the consolation and championship brackets. That would get more people watching more girls teams than their own and help build general interest.

[MNHockeyFan]

According to reports, last night a "crowd" of 574 fans watched the women Gophers defeat North Dakota in the first round of the WCHA playoffs at Ridder Arena...

...meanwhile up the road at the dump, er, Coliseum, 8,036 fans watched a boys high school section final between White Bear Lake and Hill Murray.

Not a direct point to be made in regards to girls HS hockey, but quite a contrast nonetheless.

It's hard to imagine the girls tourney ever needing a 9,000 seat arena like Mariucci, much less the X. Ridder's 3,400 seats would probably be ideal.

One idea, you could occupy both buildings at the U and allow people with a ticket to move between the two venues to see both the consolation and championship brackets. That would get more people watching more girls teams than their own and help build general interest.

One small correction, Mariucci actually holds a little over 10,000. I went to the very exciting section 2AA and 6AA boys final games, and it was barely big enough - both games were nearly full even after quite a few left when the first game finished.

Back to the girls, if the Championship round games were held at Mariucci, there would still be lots of empty seats but it would be only about half as empty than at the X. I like your last idea of holding the entire event at Mariucci and Ridder, allowing ticket holders to go back and forth between games. Sell an all-tournament "season ticket" pass and you wouldn't have to worry about standing in line to buy tickets for individual games. One obstacle that they would have to work around is scheduling because both the U of M mens and womens are still playing when the girls tournament is held, and they would have to schedule both teams away that weekend.