The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

I went to the game. Really hard to comment as I didn't have a very good view from my seat.

One end had some lively boards which help created two of Miami's goals

WMU scored as the clock ran out the end of the second, but was .05 seconds after time expired.

I thought the Broncos played a more intense third period and I wished they had played this way from the start.

All in all, two one goal losses and a tie to a very good Miami team that really could of went either way. If we see them again come conference tournament time, I like our chances.

Are these outdoor hockey events a dying breed or permanent fixture?

Admittedly I'm not a die hard. But the electricity inside a packed closer-knit arena seems more appealing than these awkward makeshifts in the middle of big stadiums.

I liked this comment thread on the Mlive article.

Outdoor game at Waldo could be sweet if done correctly. Another great opportunity to tie into a weekend event with all the awesome local Kalamazoo breweries and businesses.

Quote:beastydog
How great would it be to schedule an outdoor game or tournament at Waldo?

>> Rob Wetterholt Jr. | rwetterh@mlive.com
>> @beastydog, I think that would be great. I'd push for a tournament instead of a single game, like they'll be playing in Chicago this weekend.

>> Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State and Western?

>>>> RawTruthForYou
>>>> @Rob Wetterholt Jr. | rwetterh@mlive.com @beastydog Ferris State, Michigan, Michigan State and Western?

>>>>>> 81GRRBRONCO
>>>>>> Anything with the bigger schools is going to be at a larger facility than Waldo. Nice to dream but ain't gonna happen.

>>>>>>>> beastydog
>>>>>>>> @81GRRBRONCO I don't know. Those big venues are far from sold out, especially for college hockey. A lot of sections of the stadiums are closed. Waldo can hold 30,000+, which is perfect for a college hockey tournament.

>>>>>>>>>> Rob Wetterholt Jr. | rwetterh@mlive.com
>>>>>>>>>> @81GRRBRONCO, it probably won't, but we can dream about selling out Waldo...for something, right?

>>>> beastydog
>>>> @Rob Wetterholt Jr. | rwetterh@mlive.com @beastydog Yes. Those were the four teams I was thinking of, mostly for attendance. Ferris would be a good one too. Is there a way to find out how much a temporary rink is to construct and maintain for a weekend?

>>>> If there was a national sponsorship or a number of local sponsors and a catchy name for the tournament, it would be hard to believe it wouldn't work. Waldo Stadium would be a great outdoor venue. I would think much better to see a hockey game at than larger stadiums like Soldier field or the Big House.

>>>>>> Rob Wetterholt Jr. | rwetterh@mlive.com
>>>>>> @beastydog & @RawTruthForYou, I was debating between Notre Dame or Ferris State. I went with Notre Dame because there is far more fan appeal (for or against) with Notre Dame than there is with Ferris.

>>>>>> That being said, if you were looking for hockey "quality" at an event at Waldo then you'd have to have something along the lines of Western, Ferris, University of North Dakota and Boston College.

>>>>>> Definitely a pipe dream, but it sure is fun to dream for a minute.

http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2...m_e_2.html

(02-09-2015 02:57 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Are these outdoor hockey events a dying breed or permanent fixture?

Hopefully they are dying. The ice was a joke Saturday. There was nobody there for BOTH games (have to imagine attendance for Miami-WMU was even worse than scUM-MSU). We gave up a home game.

The NHL and corporations have bled outdoor hockey for every last penny. Good riddance.

The uniqueness for today's youth has worn off.

Back in the day, many hockey games at all levels were played outdoors. It was a treat back then to get to play indoors. Not talking about the NHL.

I wouldn't pay to watch an outdoor game in an enormous stadium. Wasted money for a seat far from the action.

(02-09-2015 08:54 PM)MileHighBronco Wrote:  The uniqueness for today's youth has worn off.

Back in the day, many hockey games at all levels were played outdoors. It was a treat back then to get to play indoors. Not talking about the NHL.

I wouldn't pay to watch an outdoor game in an enormous stadium. Wasted money for a seat far from the action.

My feelings exactly.

(02-09-2015 08:54 PM)MileHighBronco Wrote:  I wouldn't pay to watch an outdoor game in an enormous stadium. Wasted money for a seat far from the action.

I'm of the opposite opinion. If they are going to have these outdoor games, have them in football stadiums rather than baseball stadiums, where many to most of the seats are crap. At least football stadiums have decent vantage points, even if you might be far away.

And I do sort of support having the outdoor games for smaller programs and lesser known teams. They had one in Toledo recently that Robert Morris and BG played in at a minor league stadium (probably where the Mud Hens play). I endorse those. Smaller stadiums, lesser known teams, much more manageable and enjoyable (if the weather holds and they get the ice right). Why not? That sounds like a manageable event.

What upsets me most about these "mega stadium" outdoor games is that they always involve the same teams (scUM and MSU, for instance), they play in ginormous stadiums, and they can't even consistently get the ice right. It's a joke. WMU better have made money hand over fist from last weekend because it's a slap in the face to fans, season ticket holders and the TEAM that we give up a home game for this.

They couldn't even get their souvenirs right last weekend




All i can think is imagine if we were "Michigan University West" or if they had used "university of miami"

(02-10-2015 09:59 AM)SilentStryk09 Wrote:  They couldn't even get their souvenirs right last weekend




All i can think is imagine if we were "Michigan University West" or if they had used "university of miami"

Ha! That's perfect.

I was able to watch the game on my DVR. Man, what a difference in what I thought I saw live. WMU played a pretty dam good game and out played Miami for the most part of all three periods.

The Miami power play (6 opportunities) really tilted their shot SOG total. The frustrating part after watching the game on video is I don't think the refs got any of these calls right against WMU. Yes I'm a homer, but come on. Miss 1 call, sure, miss 2 calls, it could easily happen, miss 3 ok, refs are human. But 6 of 6 ??????? And Miami was so clean and the Broncos could only draw 2 pen the whole game?? I saw a bunch, far worse than any of the WMU pen that were called against them.

I had 39-32 SOG and WMU certainly had more scoring chances.

Really liked some of the line changes that took place during the game and thought the revised line of Novak/Nong Lambert/Muir was the most dangerous line the Broncos had. Hope to see that pairing in the future and give them some time to gel.

I also really like the Tiffels/Kessel/Kovacs combo.

Hope we get one more shot at Miami, as I really see the out come of this game being different.

(02-10-2015 02:34 PM)BroncoFever Wrote:  I was able to watch the game on my DVR. Man, what a difference in what I thought I saw live. WMU played a pretty dam good game and out played Miami for the most part of all three periods.

The Miami power play (6 opportunities) really tilted their shot SOG total. The frustrating part after watching the game on video is I don't think the refs got any of these calls right against WMU. Yes I'm a homer, but come on. Miss 1 call, sure, miss 2 calls, it could easily happen, miss 3 ok, refs are human. But 6 of 6 ??????? And Miami was so clean and the Broncos could only draw 2 pen the whole game?? I saw a bunch, far worse than any of the WMU pen that were called against them.

I had 39-32 SOG and WMU certainly had more scoring chances.

Really liked some of the line changes that took place during the game and thought the revised line of Novak/Nong Lambert/Muir was the most dangerous line the Broncos had. Hope to see that pairing in the future and give them some time to gel.

I also really like the Tiffels/Kessel/Kovacs combo.

Hope we get one more shot at Miami, as I really see the out come of this game being different.

I agree with you completely today Fever,I would add the ice was crap and Miami had some luck with the bouncing boards.

(02-10-2015 09:59 AM)SilentStryk09 Wrote:  They couldn't even get their souvenirs right last weekend




All i can think is imagine if we were "Michigan University West" or if they had used "university of miami"

Shows what respect the state of Illinois has for UofM.

I actually thought it looked like a better run event then the GLI.

PJ Fleck and kickoff vs MSU can't come fast enough. . . . . ..

----------

I think there's 2 problems with outdoor games:
1) Inviting the same teams over and over
2) Hockey just doesn't belong in an MLB/NFL stadium.

-----------

Is it time to put a fork in the WMU hockey and basketball seasons?

(02-10-2015 08:41 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 09:59 AM)SilentStryk09 Wrote:  They couldn't even get their souvenirs right last weekend




All i can think is imagine if we were "Michigan University West" or if they had used "university of miami"

Is it time to put a fork in the WMU hockey seasons?

Nope, not even close. Broncos will do very well come conference tournament time. None of the NCHC teams will want to face them, even if those NCHC teams with home ice.

If the regular season was to end today, the Broncos would go on the road vs the no names. Nothing would give me greater pleasure to sweep them in two in Grand Forks (like they did vs UMD last year) and then off to Minneapolis to tie up the conference tournament title and earn a trip to the NCAA regionals

South Bend, here we come. Lunatics, book your calendar now and get ready to pack the Irish arena. Talk about a potential home rink advantage

(02-10-2015 10:28 PM)BroncoFever Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 08:41 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 09:59 AM)SilentStryk09 Wrote:  They couldn't even get their souvenirs right last weekend




All i can think is imagine if we were "Michigan University West" or if they had used "university of miami"

Is it time to put a fork in the WMU hockey seasons?

Nope, not even close. Broncos will do very well come conference tournament time. None of the NCHC teams will want to face them, even if those NCHC teams with home ice.

If the regular season was to end today, the Broncos would go on the road vs the no names. Nothing would give me greater pleasure to sweep them in two in Grand Forks (like they did vs UMD last year) and then off to Minneapolis to tie up the conference tournament title and earn a trip to the NCAA regionals

South Bend, here we come. Lunatics, book your calendar now and get ready to pack the Irish arena. Talk about a potential home rink advantage

Yep, hockey is a different beast. You are NEVER out of it if you are in a good conference. WMU could still go on a run and shoot up the rankings or win the conference tournament.

(02-10-2015 10:28 PM)BroncoFever Wrote:  South Bend, here we come. Lunatics, book your calendar now and get ready to pack the Irish arena. Talk about a potential home rink advantage

I just noticed this myself. Is the NCAA moving regional back on campus?

(02-11-2015 08:11 AM)Charm City Bronco Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 10:28 PM)BroncoFever Wrote:  South Bend, here we come. Lunatics, book your calendar now and get ready to pack the Irish arena. Talk about a potential home rink advantage

I just noticed this myself. Is the NCAA moving regional back on campus?

I think (not sure) no one bid on the Midwest regional, so the Irish put in a bid and got it.

The NCAA coaches still want "neutral sites" but finding a strong Midwest regional that can always draw fans has been a problem. It would not be a sure thing to see the Broncos placed in the Midwest either, but seeing the NCAA looks at this attendance issue, they could reshuffle the deck if they thought the Lunatic fan base could significantly increase attendance if the Broncos were placed in South Bend

(02-11-2015 10:24 AM)BroncoFever Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 08:11 AM)Charm City Bronco Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 10:28 PM)BroncoFever Wrote:  South Bend, here we come. Lunatics, book your calendar now and get ready to pack the Irish arena. Talk about a potential home rink advantage

I just noticed this myself. Is the NCAA moving regional back on campus?

I think (not sure) no one bid on the Midwest regional, so the Irish put in a bid and got it.

The NCAA coaches still want "neutral sites" but finding a strong Midwest regional that can always draw fans has been a problem. It would not be a sure thing to see the Broncos placed in the Midwest either, but seeing the NCAA looks at this attendance issue, they could reshuffle the deck if they thought the Lunatic fan base could significantly increase attendance if the Broncos were placed in South Bend

except for the part where tickets will be somewhere around $75 (hopefully this wouldn't be the case on campus sites) and 90% of students wouldn't pay near that much money for tickets to a game an hour away.

Stubhub, bro.

(02-11-2015 10:35 AM)SilentStryk09 Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 10:24 AM)BroncoFever Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 08:11 AM)Charm City Bronco Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 10:28 PM)BroncoFever Wrote:  South Bend, here we come. Lunatics, book your calendar now and get ready to pack the Irish arena. Talk about a potential home rink advantage

I just noticed this myself. Is the NCAA moving regional back on campus?

I think (not sure) no one bid on the Midwest regional, so the Irish put in a bid and got it.

The NCAA coaches still want "neutral sites" but finding a strong Midwest regional that can always draw fans has been a problem. It would not be a sure thing to see the Broncos placed in the Midwest either, but seeing the NCAA looks at this attendance issue, they could reshuffle the deck if they thought the Lunatic fan base could significantly increase attendance if the Broncos were placed in South Bend

except for the part where tickets will be somewhere around $75 (hopefully this wouldn't be the case on campus sites) and 90% of students wouldn't pay near that much money for tickets to a game an hour away.

Ha,ha. I just checked the site for prices and availability, searched for "best available" which had a price range of $36-90, requested 4 seats and there was none available. Tried it again, requesting only 1 seat, nothing available. I must be doing something wrong, because the NCAA web site doesn't say they are sold out, like the West Regional is in Fargo

I'm sure they are holding backing a certain amount of tickets for each of the four qualifying universities to sell tickets to their fan base. I don't know if they have student pricing.

I think those prices are for a two day package, which would be for all three games