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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
 Posted - 02/21/2012 : 12:17:02 PM
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The Alaska Aces are the 1st team to clinch a Kelly Cup Playoff berth. It must be nice to play in an 8 team conference where 7 teams make the playoffs and 3 of the teams have records below .500.
The ECHL needs to take a serious look at how they can either expand the West or allow more Eastern teams to make the Playoffs. Perhaps a 3 game "play in" series between the 8th and 9th place Eastern Conference teams to determine the 8th overall seed. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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cloneinator
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
597 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2012 : 12:38:01 PM
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Well, IMHO, there doesn't need to be any more teams making the playoffs. You hit the nail on the head E-Man with three below .500 teams making the playoffs as it is. It seems to be so watered down as it is, and virtually, as long as a team is "The best of the worse" they qualify.
I am sure I am in the minority, but I don't know if it should be a format of only six teams from each conference that should qualify, with the top two getting a first round bye. Make all playoffs a best of seven series.
Just my two cents worth... :<) |
...And on the eighth day, GOD created the Cyclones! |
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deleted
149 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2012 : 1:39:51 PM
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| Last 8 Kelly Cups evenly divided between west and east conf. |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2012 : 2:29:51 PM
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The Kelly Cup playoff format has also changed 3 times due to contraction and conference/division realignment since the Cyclones rejoined the league.
The issue is 2 fold. For one, it's far too easy to get in out west and two, it's far too easy for the team that wins the Western Conference regular season title to make the finals. Under the current format the team that won the Western Conference regular season title made the finals which isn't that surprising given the top Western Conference team only has to win 8 games to make it to the finals whereas in the East all teams must win 11 games. That 3 games doesn't sound like much but when you factor in the week off the top Western team gets it equals rest and recovery which is quite the advantage.
The obvious solution would be to expand the Western Conference, preferably to two 5 or 6 team divisions and then take the top 8 teams. It shouldn't too difficult to pilfer a few of the more western teams from the CHL, Arizona and Rapid City perhaps. However, under no circumstances should more teams be added to the East until the there is viable western expansion. There is steady talk of adding Fort Wayne, Evansville, the return of Dayton, Myrtle Beach, and Atlantic City and the Solar Bears are set to join the League. Without Eastern Conference contraction (which is likely) the Eastern Conference could easily swell to 18 teams, which is a healthy minor hockey league unto itself.
I'm not a fan of contracting the number of teams getting in to 6 in each conference. While it would make competition a little tighter in the West, it would basically make the Eastern Conference hyper competitive when it doesn't need to be; under the current format the top Eastern Conference team hasn't made the finals. While I'm not a fan of a system that "let's everyone play" I do like the idea of leveling the field in regards to making the playoffs which is why I'd prefer adding a best of 3 "play in" series for the 8th and 9th place teams. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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cloneinator
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
597 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2012 : 3:11:51 PM
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| Totally agree Elvis, but the reality is, I just don't see much in the line of expansion in the west. It is a double edge sword...allow those in who aren't worthy of being in the playoffs (like the west is now) or make it where only the better teams qualify. I was just throwing the six team format out as a matter of discussion. It is an interesting dilemma. And if the east expands, then there is a real problem. |
...And on the eighth day, GOD created the Cyclones! |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2012 : 3:24:05 PM
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| @Cloneinator - I was sitting at the bar awhile back talking to a friend about this when it was announced that Orlando would rejoin the League. We came up with a viable 20 team Eastern Conference made up of a 10 team North Division and a 10 team South Division. If this were to happen I think the League would almost be forced to drop the 8 Western teams. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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cloneinator
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
597 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2012 : 3:41:52 PM
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| And that would be a great solution. But then, is the league willing to part with the almighty $$$ they would lose from dropping eight teams? We all know when it comes right down to it, money will be the driving force behind any big changes. |
...And on the eighth day, GOD created the Cyclones! |
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Cyclonesdiehard
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2012 : 4:39:02 PM
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| I doubt they will ever just drop eight teams. That is kind of stupid in my opinion. The ECHL would lose its coast to coast appeal, and a lot of good markets. I like the idea of 6 teams making it. Makes winning night in and night out a lot more important. |
http://cyclonesopinionpage.blogspot.com/ |
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n/a
deleted
149 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2012 : 02:40:27 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by elvis77
@Cloneinator - I was sitting at the bar awhile back talking to a friend about this when it was announced that Orlando would rejoin the League. We came up with a viable 20 team Eastern Conference made up of a 10 team North Division and a 10 team South Division. If this were to happen I think the League would almost be forced to drop the 8 Western teams.
Dropping 8 teams for a better playoff system?
That's why you don't talk business at a bar. |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2012 : 05:25:41 AM
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Don't forget San Francisco is coming on board next year in the
West and Reno is still on the map as a possibility. |
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Obie
(Rookie)
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2012 : 09:11:52 AM
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How about this:
3 Conferences, each with their own playoff.
Then, the top 3 play a round robin tournament, along with a host team, like the canadian juniors do? :)
Not real feasible, but would be kinda neat. |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2012 : 09:59:34 AM
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| @Bags - I had forgotten about San Fran. If Reno, Arizona and Rapid City could be pilfered from the CHL (Colorado could be a big ally in that effort) it balance the Conferences more or less. Again, the emphasis needs to be on expanding the West not the East. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2012 : 12:40:14 PM
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Dropping 8 teams who have legal agreements with the league, their arenas, sponsors etc would mean years of lawsuits etc etc. let alone the fact that 7 of the 8 west coast teams are in the top 10 in attendance in the ECHL. I think the bigger problem is keeping the current teams active rather than worry about expansion and playoff formats. Wheeling has announced they will not continue next year under current ownership, the First Arena in Elmira has until Feb 29 to avoid foreclosure for unpaid taxes and utility bills, and the Chicago, Kalamazoo, Wheeling and Trenton the bottom four teams in attendance in the entire LEAGUE all averaging less than 3,000 per game.
Glad there is a game on the ice tonight to take me back to focusing on being a Cyclone Fan and not coaching the team, managing the front office, and running the league |
Edited by - dbc on 02/22/2012 1:08:20 PM |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2012 : 12:55:52 PM
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When is healthy discussion a bad thing. I guess no one should ever post anything or have a different view point from anyone else...
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"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2012 : 1:17:44 PM
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E--Thought I was adding to the healthy discussion on west coast conference by adding the legal issues involved and the strong attendance that conference has. Hard to justify kicking a whole conference out when 7 of the 8 teams are in the top 10 in the league.
Never meant to say any subjects are taboo or only some opinions should be heard. Its just I enjoy on the ice discussions more than I do off ice discussions about tickets, give aways etc. and glad there is a game tonight. Hope we all have good things to say about it tomorrow
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Edited by - dbc on 02/22/2012 1:18:38 PM |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2012 : 5:58:03 PM
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It's all in the spirit of the discussion. "Elvis" and I have issues
with Liambas, but that doesn't mean we can't disagree. Your last line
about "Glad there is a game..." was the only minor problem. I know
where your coming from and love a good disagreement. As you saw I chose
not to bring up the great win against Chicago w/out you-know-who ! By
the way, would love to see 8 teams from the west w/ the last spot going
to either the better 8th place team from the west or the better 9th
place team from the East ! |
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