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NM
More likely that with a game Saturday at 3:30, it affords more rest time. If they wanted the work to game crowd, 7:00 is the wheelhouse for that. Work -> dinner -> game. That formula has been working for years for basketball. Eventually, these start times in Hartford are going to be a major impairment for the program with hockey being fourth on the scheduling totem pole being both BB teams and the Wolf Pack.I read it's 5:30 so those working in Hartford can go straight from work to the game opposed to having to drive home than drive back.
More likely that with a game Saturday at 3:30, it affords more rest time. If they wanted the work to game crowd, 7:00 is the wheelhouse for that. Work -> dinner -> game. That formula has been working for years for basketball. Eventually, these start times in Hartford are going to be a major impairment for the program with hockey being fourth on the scheduling totem pole being both BB teams and the Wolf Pack.
Here's to hoping they announce the on-campus barn/team facility plans ASAP!!!More likely that with a game Saturday at 3:30, it affords more rest time. If they wanted the work to game crowd, 7:00 is the wheelhouse for that. Work -> dinner -> game. That formula has been working for years for basketball. Eventually, these start times in Hartford are going to be a major impairment for the program with hockey being fourth on the scheduling totem pole being both BB teams and the Wolf Pack.
The college game is not a lot better per se, but the Wolfpack do not compete at the highest level of their sport. They are a farm team competing against players no one's ever heard of and the media coverage is commensurate with the minor leagues. There's no reason to pour all your focus into a team that could be completely different in April than it was in November. NHL franchises gut their farm system when the playoffs start (See: Zuccarello, Mats. See also: Krug, Torrey and Bartkowski, Matt). There's no risk of that in College hockey. It'd be interesting to see how often the Calder Cup is won by an affiliate who did not make or go very far in the Stanley Cup playoffs.If the arena at Storrs is delayed or not approved, the Wolfpack will be toast anyway. They can't compete with the Huskies. THe college game is a lot better and lets face it, UConn is Connecticut's team!
The on-campus barn was a term of HE membership, it has to get done no matter what. There is a time frame on when they need to have concrete plans and when it needs to be done....they need to get this thing done and done right. Brassbonanzaa is right in that they should replicate what ND built capacity wise.If the arena at Storrs is delayed or not approved, the Wolfpack will be toast anyway. They can't compete with the Huskies. THe college game is a lot better and lets face it, UConn is Connecticut's team!
UConn hockey should be given higher precedent over the Hartford Wolfpack.
It will be interesting to find out at the end of the season who averaged a larger crowd at XL
The college game is not a lot better per se, but the Wolfpack do not compete at the highest level of their sport. They are a farm team competing against players no one's ever heard of and the media coverage is commensurate with the minor leagues. There's no reason to pour all your focus into a team that could be completely different in April than it was in November. NHL franchises gut their farm system when the playoffs start (See: Zuccarello, Mats. See also: Krug, Torrey and Bartkowski, Matt). There's no risk of that in College hockey. It'd be interesting to see how often the Calder Cup is won by an affiliate who did not make or go very far in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
So why are the Rock Cats popular/better attended? Because baseball is like a picnic and there is more for families to do in New Britain Stadium. Plus, concessions are cheaper. For hockey games, it's the game or nothing. There's no distractions, which is good if you want to focus on the game, not so good if your child does not.
A second factor is the Wolfpack's affiliation. It's not that there are a lot of non-Ranger fans in this state, rather than they are vehemently anti-Rangers and would forcibly root against them if they had to go. So they don't. My guess is an affiliation with a franchise other than the Rangers, Bruins, or Hurricanes would benefit the Wolfpack by at least a factor of two.