10:00 AM too early for a playoff game?

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:12 am

The Section 7AA semi-finals at Amsoil Arena are scheduled for 10:00 AM and Noon. This is because UMD men are hosting Colorado College, and likely the UMD women will be hosting a WCHA first round playoff series. I guess it's nice if you want a full day of hockey, there is time afterwards, barring multiple OT's, to get to Bemidji or the Twin Cities for a 7PM start time. That said, is having players hit the ice at 9:30 AM for warm-ups too out of the ordinary? I personally don't have a concrete opinion on it. From a fan perspective I kinda like not having to wait all day for the game.

Post by **east hockey** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:31 am

It's not ideal, but given the circumstances, it's the best they can do, I suppose. But I'm wondering why they couldn't have it at the DECC instead?

I'd like to see the semis at Hibbing Memorial Arena, but I can already hear the shrieks of protest from our southern brethren; bad enough their dozens of fans have to drive "way up here" to Duluth.

. I rather miss the old tradition of driving to Hibbing to see East win a semifinal game, then heading over to Sammy's to pig out. Good times those were.

My only protest is it messes up my Saturday morning workout routine.

Guess I'll live.

Lee

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:38 am

I used to like the games at Hibbing, but Duluth is such a nicer city. I don't really get all the complaints from the southern schools. Amsoil Arena, the most scenic city in Minnesota. You drive for what, 3 hours in a warm car? It's not like it's a 4 day trek riding a donkey in -30 temps. Not to mention there are at least 3 hotels that are connected by skyway to the arena, so you don't have to step outside to get to the game if it's brutally cold. I know I'm looking forward to taking in the UMD/Colorado College game on Friday night.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:39 am

east hockey wrote:It's not ideal, but given the circumstances, it's the best they can do, I suppose. But I'm wondering why they couldn't have it at the DECC instead?

I'd like to see the semis at Hibbing Memorial Arena, but I can already hear the shrieks of protest from our southern brethren; bad enough their dozens of fans have to drive "way up here" to Duluth. . I rather miss the old tradition of driving to Hibbing to see East win a semifinal game, then heading over to Sammy's to pig out. Good times those were.

My only protest is it messes up my Saturday morning workout routine. Guess I'll live.

Lee

Its the semis, DEast will be done before that.

Gov78 · Post by **Gov78** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:40 am

HS Tournament has games that start at 10am and 11am so this could be good practice if one of the teams advances.

Post by **east hockey** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:59 am

elliott70 wrote:
east hockey wrote:It's not ideal, but given the circumstances, it's the best they can do, I suppose. But I'm wondering why they couldn't have it at the DECC instead?

I'd like to see the semis at Hibbing Memorial Arena, but I can already hear the shrieks of protest from our southern brethren; bad enough their dozens of fans have to drive "way up here" to Duluth. . I rather miss the old tradition of driving to Hibbing to see East win a semifinal game, then heading over to Sammy's to pig out. Good times those were.

My only protest is it messes up my Saturday morning workout routine. Guess I'll live.

Lee
Its the semis, DEast will be done before that.

Lee

goldy313 · Post by **goldy313** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:08 pm

A few years ago section 1 played their finals at Mariucci starting at 10 am, that was the last year they used Mariucci. It was awful, no fans and the U started trying to push out the AA people before the AA game even ended. Section now plays the games in Rochester on consecutive nights instead of using Mariucci on Saturday morning.

wogggieee · Post by **wogggieee** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:38 pm

TheHockeyDJ wrote:I used to like the games at Hibbing, but Duluth is such a nicer city. I don't really get all the complaints from the southern schools. Amsoil Arena, the most scenic city in Minnesota. You drive for what, 3 hours in a warm car? It's not like it's a 4 day trek riding a donkey in -30 temps. Not to mention there are at least 3 hotels that are connected by skyway to the arena, so you don't have to step outside to get to the game if it's brutally cold. I know I'm looking forward to taking in the UMD/Colorado College game on Friday night.

I would imagine their problem is the cost for fuel and lodging for having to go to duluth, even though duluth is easily enough an up and back trip in a day. If they used the DECC for the game at the same time as a UMD game it would cause parking and congestion issues I would imagine.