Coliseum

[Hockey922]

As we all know, the State Fair Coliseum is closing after this season. But my question is have they decided where the section games next year (that would usually be played at the coliseum) be played instead?

[almostashappy]

As we all know, the State Fair Coliseum is closing after this season. But my question is have they decided where the section games next year (that would usually be played at the coliseum) be played instead?

No, they haven't decided. Or if they have, they haven't announced their decision. So maybe here's your chance to cast a vote for where you'd like to see them played. Although there was a thread on this topic when the news broke, so maybe it's time for the mods to swoop in?

For what it's worth, I'd think that Aldrich would be great neutral ice for 3AA to have their semi's and final.

[Hockey922]

I certainly wouldn't mind seeing some games at mariucci, or even ridder for that matter.

[almostashappy]

I certainly wouldn't mind seeing some games at mariucci, or even ridder for that matter.

Mariucci is obviously a nice rink, and 3AA had finals there couple of years ago. But 6AA and 2AA hold their games there so scheduling might be a bit of an issue, and after watching (through the fogged glass) a game at TCF with acres of empty seats, I'd much rather see them play at Ridder. Fabulous rink, and (speaking of acres of empty seats) it's a real shame that the girls don't play their State Tourney there.

[inthetwine]

As we all know, the State Fair Coliseum is closing after this season. But my question is have they decided where the section games next year (that would usually be played at the coliseum) be played instead?

No, they haven't decided. Or if they have, they haven't announced their decision. So maybe here's your chance to cast a vote for where you'd like to see them played. Although there was a thread on this topic when the news broke, so maybe it's time for the mods to swoop in?

For what it's worth, I'd think that Aldrich would be great neutral ice for 3AA to have their semi's and final.

Aldrich is a great arena, but not big enough for 4AA. Final.

[TheHockeyDJ]

As we all know, the State Fair Coliseum is closing after this season. But my question is have they decided where the section games next year (that would usually be played at the coliseum) be played instead?

No, they haven't decided. Or if they have, they haven't announced their decision. So maybe here's your chance to cast a vote for where you'd like to see them played. Although there was a thread on this topic when the news broke, so maybe it's time for the mods to swoop in?

For what it's worth, I'd think that Aldrich would be great neutral ice for 3AA to have their semi's and final.

Aldrich is a great arena, but not big enough for 4AA. Final.

I wish they'd be open to travel to Amsoil Arena, by far the best arena for section playoffs.

[elliott70]

No, they haven't decided. Or if they have, they haven't announced their decision. So maybe here's your chance to cast a vote for where you'd like to see them played. Although there was a thread on this topic when the news broke, so maybe it's time for the mods to swoop in?

For what it's worth, I'd think that Aldrich would be great neutral ice for 3AA to have their semi's and final.

Aldrich is a great arena, but not big enough for 4AA. Final.

I wish they'd be open to travel to Amsoil Arena, by far the best arena for section playoffs.

debatable

[TheHockeyDJ]

Aldrich is a great arena, but not big enough for 4AA. Final.

I wish they'd be open to travel to Amsoil Arena, by far the best arena for section playoffs.

debatable

WRONG!

Voted best stadium experience in North America by Stadium Journey. http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/ ... rena-s1513

[Hockey922]

Why don't they have it at vadnais!

[slacsap]

I see in the Pioneer Press today that it appears Aldrich is the likely site for many of the section games currently played at the Coliseum, although there would not be any doubleheaders played there due to the smaller seating capacity. What I found interesting was Sager's comment that Aldrich would be an acceptable location as long as they take down Hill-Murray's championship banners. What difference do the banners make? Do Jefferson or Edina take down banners when they play section games at BIG or Braemar? It seems kind of petty if that is a condition for playing at Aldrich, which is a great place for both players and fans.

[hockeydad]

That is not what Sager said. He said he would prefer it to be at Aldrich. Here is the quote:

"We used to play there, so we have no problems with it," he said. "Hill-Murray doesn't even have their own locker room there. Take down their banners in the place, and it becomes a neutral site."

Nowhere did he say the banners should be taken down. He just made the comment that the banners were the only thing that made it a Hill-Murray arena.

[slacsap]

Hockeydad:
You are correct, I misread his quote. My apologies to Coach
Sager.

[inthetwine]

As we all know, the State Fair Coliseum is closing after this season. But my question is have they decided where the section games next year (that would usually be played at the coliseum) be played instead?

No, they haven't decided. Or if they have, they haven't announced their decision. So maybe here's your chance to cast a vote for where you'd like to see them played. Although there was a thread on this topic when the news broke, so maybe it's time for the mods to swoop in?

For what it's worth, I'd think that Aldrich would be great neutral ice for 3AA to have their semi's and final.

Aldrich is a great arena, but not big enough for 4AA. Final.

[gitter]

I wish they'd be open to travel to Amsoil Arena, by far the best arena for section playoffs.

debatable

WRONG!

Voted best stadium experience in North America by Stadium Journey. http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/ ... rena-s1513

I found it on the internet it must be true!

[ZachHalverson]

We pretty much had the same discussion on a different thread, but I will reiterate my thoughts. Aldrich would be a great place to have the Section 4AA Final if it was bigger. The problem with Aldrich is that the Maplewood Fire Marshall would have guards at all the doors and turnstiles making sure that the capacity isn't exceeded. They would most likely turn away a couple thousand fans.

Not to mention the Hill-Murray logos on the ice. I don't really care, but it is noteworthy.

Ridder is about the same capacity of Aldrich, so while the NHL sized ice is more attractive than Mariucci, if you're gonna have it at Ridder you might as well have it at Aldrich. So Ridder should not be considered, especially since there is no free parking.

There are really only two arenas available if you want to fit the entire crowd. The first one is the most obvious: Mariucci. After attending the Section 2/6 finals last year, I learned to hate this arena for high school games. The place has zero atmosphere, and the players and coaches have to change their game plan for the Olympic sized ice, something many teams have complained about over the years. It would fit the Section 4AA/5AA crowd, but that crowd would only fill about a 1/2 to 3/4 of the building, and that once great atmosphere these finals had at the Coliseum will only be a memory.

The other option would be worse for the atmosphere, but the rink would be NHL sized. The NCHC will be inhabiting the Target Center in March each year for at least the next few years, so if you're Target Center management, you might want to consider persuading these sections into playing in your arena since the ice will already be there. As I said, the atmosphere would blow, but looking at this from a business perspective I think Target Center is at least an option.

This is all assuming there isn't some grassroots effort to "Save The Coliseum", which would be awesome and I would take part in. But sadly, it doesn't appear that will be the case. Someone else here commented about the Amsoil Arena being used and if the logistics were there, I would love that idea. If only they could move that building south for a weekend...

The bottom line is that this entire situation absolutely sucks, and I will most likely shed a few tears when I leave that building for the final time in late February. I don't even know if I want to go to the Minnesota State Fair anymore, it would just feel weird.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I believe that in general, the section finals would be three weeks before the NCHC tournament. I'm not sure how well that works for Target Center management as far as having non-ice events in between.

Also, if you think Mariucci has a lousy atmosphere for high school hockey, you must never have seen it in the Target Center. The building blows for hockey, just terrible sight lines. I was ther for the state tournament, then again a few hears ago when the section 2/6 finals were there due to a scheduling screw up at Mariucci.

There are years when Hill and WBL meet in the semis. Obviously the crowd isn't as big as when they meet in the finals, but even for a single semifinal game Aldrich seems in adequate. Even splitting the semifinals could be problematic, since that's two more nights that week when there are also class A section games there.

Back in the 80's when the section 3 semis were moved to the Coliseum, one game was held at 4 PM and the other at 8 PM. The building was cleared between games. That bis the only way Aldrich would work.

The reason these games ended up at the Coliseum was that the refrigeration at the (now) Roy Wilkins Auditorium went kaput in 1982 and wasn't repaired. Now that was the best venue for section hockey games. 8,000 seats, great sight lines. And it was the original home of the state tournament to boot.

[C-dad]

Ridder is about the same capacity of Aldrich, so while the NHL sized ice is more attractive than Mariucci, if you're gonna have it at Ridder you might as well have it at Aldrich. So Ridder should not be considered, especially since there is no free parking.

You are correct. Having watched games in both, I thought Ridder was bigger, but both are listed at 3,400. Surprised me when I looked them up.