Big Arena versus Packed Atmosphere

[HockeyHigh]

You guys looked like you needed more topics to discuss. Arising from a topic on another forum (here, topic starts up around 1/2 the way down), I was wondering how you guys view a tournament. Would you rather have a large, incredible rink (Like the XCel) with a half-capacity crowd or a sold out arena in a smaller rink (like a USHL rink).

This came up because the ND state hockey tournament generally doesn't fill more than half of the Engelstad arena, and because the new Urban Plains Center in Fargo was built, whether it'd make more sense to move it (or at least rotate it) to the UPC arena for the atmosphere.

The average attendance for a title game in ND is likely around 4,500, but I don't have the true statistics on this, and it varies year by year based on who's in the title game.

Basically it's Arena versus Environment. Is the loss of intrinsic value of the Engelstad arena (D1 Hockey plays there, NHL games have been played there, $105 million dollar rink, seats near 12,000) versus a smaller but a packed arena ($15-20 million dollar arena, seats 5,000-5,500).

[EHSHack]

East vs Cloquet in the sections, or Cloquet, Rapids, East vs each other in a Final game you get the best of both worlds. A full to capacity D-1 arena, the DECC with a genuinly electric hockey atmosphere.

[karl(east)]

East vs Cloquet in the sections, or Cloquet, Rapids, East vs each other in a Final game you get the best of both worlds. A full to capacity D-1 arena, the DECC with a genuinly electric hockey atmosphere.

You took the words right out my mouth...why not have both?

Forced to choose, though, give me a small arena with atmosphere over a ton of empty seats.

[Lucia4President]

This is just like the girls hockey tournament. They play in front of 4,000 at the X, when they could be playing at a packed Ridder. I've been to the tourney at both venues, and Ridder was an unbelievable experience because the atmosphere was electric.

[JV State Champs]

Definetly a small arena. Going to the Schwans cup games at Excel is just depressing to watch and to play in, even though it is cool at first to play on the pro rink it just seems so empty. I would much rather have those games be played at somewhere like Aldrich where you can still get a fairly big crowd but also have it seem packed. It gives a different sort of life to the game.

[ImissMYhockey]

Definetly a small arena. Going to the Schwans cup games at Excel is just depressing to watch and to play in, even though it is cool at first to play on the pro rink it just seems so empty. I would much rather have those games be played at somewhere like Aldrich where you can still get a fairly big crowd but also have it seem packed. It gives a different sort of life to the game.

I loved playing at aldrich. But I agree with everyone so far. The game is much more exciting to watch and to play in with a smaller packed arena. However, I think anyone would love to play in the X, packed or empty, come march.

[komada77]

Yeah no doubt a smaller, packed arena. This is the reason that consolation games at Mariucci are so much more fun than first and second round games at the X.

[fivehole628]

The section finals games at Marriucci are crazy! 9-10,000 people watching the games.

Personally, I'd rather have a smaller arena thats packed.

[hshckfan08]

East vs Cloquet in the sections, or Cloquet, Rapids, East vs each other in a Final game you get the best of both worlds. A full to capacity D-1 arena, the DECC with a genuinly electric hockey atmosphere.

I wouldnt exactly call the decc a large arena as it only holds 5300 people, but it is definitely a great environment when playoffs roll around. When the expansion gets here though, it will be incredible.

[DHMN]

If you never experienced the "old" Cloquet arena, the Barn when East or Denfeld came in (and we waited outside after school in line for 2 hours to get in).. you never experienced real atmosphere. People packed into an arena the fire marshal rated for something like 1500 (and obviously more than that many IN the arena) and being right on top of the game.

The Cloquet/East packed DECC atmosphere for a section final is electric.. but hard to think about this year.. the game tonight in the CARC didn't come close to filling the building.

[pioneers]

A packed house is always better

[east hockey]

If you never experienced the "old" Cloquet arena, the Barn when East or Denfeld came in (and we waited outside after school in line for 2 hours to get in).. you never experienced real atmosphere. People packed into an arena the fire marshal rated for something like 1500 (and obviously more than that many IN the arena) and being right on top of the game.

The Cloquet/East packed DECC atmosphere for a section final is electric.. but hard to think about this year.. the game tonight in the CARC didn't come close to filling the building.

It was pretty full on the East side.

Lee

[stmartin123]

The section finals games at Marriucci are crazy! 9-10,000 people watching the games.

Personally, I'd rather have a smaller arena thats packed.

Yeah, last years section games were a great atmosphere. Benilde vs. Tonka and then Edina vs. Burnsville. Both games go into OT in front of 10,000. Both of those games had a better atmosphere than some of the state games at the X.

Id much rather have a packed house than an empty. Although playing at the X empty or full (obviuosly full is more fun) is still pretty cool.

[Indians forever]

A packed house by far is the best atmosphere!!

[Dit Clapper]

hshckfan08....the DECC can definitely be considered a large arena even in the state of hockey, you could probably count on your fingers how many 5000+ arenas there are....DECC, Xcel, St. Coud, Alltel (benefit of the doubt), Mariucci

A packed arena is always by far better, although I will say the DECC isnt too terribly bad to play in when its empty.

I was a fan of Ely, the Bree Cuppoletti, and the Hippodrome when they were packed

[starmvp]

Games should be played in the Mariucci. Last year is a great example; the two overtime section final games were amazing with the electric atmosphere.

[SEMNHOCKEYFAN]

id hate 2 play in a big arena thats empty........say the excel u look up to the upper deck n u c all those empty seats........thatd get me dizzy

but if the X was full.......thats just one hell of a rush!

[HockeyHigh]

Thanks for the input, and I agree with the basically unanimous posts saying that it's better to play in a packed smaller arena than a huge half empty one. It makes you feel so much more into the game when all you see is people rather than empty seats.

[defense]

You guys looked like you needed more topics to discuss. Arising from a topic on another forum (here, topic starts up around 1/2 the way down), I was wondering how you guys view a tournament. Would you rather have a large, incredible rink (Like the XCel) with a half-capacity crowd or a sold out arena in a smaller rink (like a USHL rink).

This came up because the ND state hockey tournament generally doesn't fill more than half of the Engelstad arena, and because the new Urban Plains Center in Fargo was built, whether it'd make more sense to move it (or at least rotate it) to the UPC arena for the atmosphere.

The average attendance for a title game in ND is likely around 4,500, but I don't have the true statistics on this, and it varies year by year based on who's in the title game.

Basically it's Arena versus Environment. Is the loss of intrinsic value of the Engelstad arena (D1 Hockey plays there, NHL games have been played there, $105 million dollar rink, seats near 12,000) versus a smaller but a packed arena ($15-20 million dollar arena, seats 5,000-5,500).

This was debated I think when UP Center was going up. At least the EDC should be in Fargo. I think the big reason Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks always hosted the tournement was that it was the best sheet of ice in the state. Nothing in ND could probably handle the state tournement untill now with the UP center. Problem is if you had a big draw you would get all kinds of complaints saying how absurd it is that they couldn't get into the game(s) because it was sold out when Grand Forks always had enough room. This is a possible issue for Minnesota state tournements. That said, I do think that the Class A tournement could do well at Marriucci or National Hockey Center, problem is Olympic ice sheet. Definitely the Girls should go back to the top girls arena in the country...not sarcasm...just a fact. Why wouldn't a girl want to play in an arena like Ridder??? built for women and home to a women's hockey team.

[Dit Clapper]

hshckfan08...even the state of hockey, the DECC is probably considered a large arena...there really isnt too many arenas that hold 5000+....Xcel, Mariucci, Decc, National Hockey Center, Alltel Center (benefit of the doubt there)

anyways you gotta always take the packed arena...i loved Ely, the Hippodrome, and the Bree Cuppoletti, along with Bronco Arena

playing in a large empty arena tho...the DECC really wasnt that bad, love the small ice sheet

[pipes3030]

how about a packed little ralph for a Moorhead-Roseau section final??
Gotta love that energy.

[pondhockey04]

the mini ralph is definetly sick to play in, and the staff takes care of you for sure, same with SCSU, great rinks and all but nothin beats the echos of the hometown chants and taunts towards the other squad

[joycer10]

How bout a packed state fair collesium for a Hill-Murray vs. White Bear final
the rink may suck but that makes it all the more fun!

[TheHockeyDJ]

East vs Cloquet in the sections, or Cloquet, Rapids, East vs each other in a Final game you get the best of both worlds. A full to capacity D-1 arena, the DECC with a genuinly electric hockey atmosphere.

I've been to the Stanley Cup playoffs, Frozen Four, State Tourney, and a Section final at the DECC is the best!!!

[riverman]

yea the sec 8A and sec 8AA at the mini ralph a great atmosphere just imagine if they were on the same day for finals! can pack in about 4500 to 5000. and great hockey to boot!