The International Hockey League (IHL) announced that the Board of Governors completed the second part of the Semi-Annual Meeting via conference call Tuesday afternoon.
The IHL announced that the 2010-2011 regular season will consist of a 70-game schedule with each member club playing 35 home games and 35 road games. The 2010-2011 season will be 24 weeks long, beginning on October 15th, 2010 and concluding on March 27t, 2011.
``We believe by reducing the schedule to 70 games allows us to complete the regular season and playoffs in a timely manner.” stated Dennis Hextall, IHL President/Commissioner. “After talking with fans, we believe it is in our best interest to achieve this goal to help improve our product.”
The 2011 Turner Cup Playoffs will be beginning on April 1st, 2011 and plan on concluding no later than April 30th, 2011.
Comments
They still make you pay for your tickets eventhough you're doing the GOW broadcasts, Wendy? Do you have to buy your tickets too, Blake? I just assumed you media people got in for free. Wendy, I thought you went to the Komets party last year when you posted pictures up from it? Maybe I'm getting my years mixed up.
I agree with JM and he pretty much hit why I have bought season tickets up to this point. I HATE standing in that line and I really enjoy everyone I sit around. As for the stuff on the back of the tickets, I can think of about one of those I actually use, but that coupon is a great one. I think our seats are a little cheaper if you go the STH route too. Am I wrong on that one?
I guess other than that, I'm in the same boat wondering what we get that other people don't. I'll admit though, I don't go to the games for the little freebies. In fact, if I ever end up catching one of those white light bulbs that are worthless, you may see it making a return visit to the Broaster Boys.
You guys miss the fact that while the number of games are shortened, they also shortened the number of weeks and will start the playoffs earlier.
Theoretically yes, they've shortened the number of times each team has to pay for rent, and may travel expenses slightly... but it's not going to make much of a difference on-ice because they're still trying to jam as many games into those weeks as possible... so things like 3 games in 3 nights are still going to be very common.
Basically, they didn't help their schedule at all, nor do I think the "savings" will really make any difference to teams' bottom lines because the losses teams are taking are huge compared to what "savings" might occur from the change.
Oh, just remembered one more STH perk... Walking in, having some non-STH sitting in your seats, and making them move. The added bonus of course is when they look at their tickets and swear those are THEIR seats... Classic!
Especially ScarfGuy, I love kicking him out of my seats!... I wonder if he reads this blog?
Have to agree with everything said so far on STH. To me one major benefit is not waiting in line for playoff tickets, that line can get really long, even back in the day of multiple ticket outlets like LS Ayers.
Back in my days of being single I even had two season tickets because if the playoffs came along and I was dating someone I wouldn't have to wait in line to get her a ticket.
It seems to me there were a lot of the McDonalds tickets this year. I have a few of them sitting here but we almost never go there so they generally don't get used.
I use the Chili's coupons=until they got rid of the philly sandwich./MMA FIGHTS in Findlay Ohio, April 10th.
Wow, great post, Jungle Monkey. You never kicked ME out of your seats....you even were nice enough to let me sit there for a bit to film the kid when he carried the flag. Thanks!! The other times, we really did get those seats....I think they are open sometimes.
I wouldn't dream of kicking you out, BLB.. You're always welcome.. Just don't bring any dudes wearing scarfs...
Steve, no one was turning their negative thoughts to bashing other posters. Just made me laugh, Burgee throws out the bait calling everyone names, being essentially negative, and someone calls him on it. It was funnt to me. I gave that poster 2 pluses and a Cha Ching for good measure.
I still would love to know where this league is headed....is that a crime??? I am not worked up about it, curious though.
Sorry to all.
LOL....Jungle Monkey, if I ever show up with some dude wearing a scarf, please, kick the dude out, then take me to an AA meeting. Please!!
When it comes to where this league is heading, Hit, I think we and probably most everyone on this blog are in the same camp and justifiably so. One thing for sure, we won't know about things until the league is ready to tell us but that's the way it's always been in any sport at any level. It's something fans have to live with as frustrating as it can be at times.
At this point it looks reasonably safe to bet on the IHL being around for another season. After that who knows but that can apply to other leagues besides the IHL. I'm sure the ECHL will be around too but how large and in what areas could change drastically.
I think the model the IHL is trying to follow is sound, smart, and the way for minor league hockey to go. Will it work? Many varibles can affect it. I'd like to see the attendence growing for the teams but the economy has a lot to do with that and until there is recovery I think a lot of teams will struggle and hold on by a tooth and a nail and many will fail in all leagues.
I really do want to see the IHL to grow and succeed. I really think it's not going to happen overnight or in a couple of years, it is going to take longer. I'd rather see more teams competing but not at the expense of losing the league because of rapid expansion. That also makes me wonder about some of the moves we've already seen, right?
The NHL was six team for ions. The ECHL started out with five teams, three of them owned by the same person. I can live with a six or seven team league for awhile if there is competiveness and a future. Otherwise lets just scrap the thing and join another league at greater cost and risk of failure.
Wow, Steve....I never knew that about the ECHL. That's pretty cool to hear. I did know that the NHL was a 6 team league for a while, but of course, look at them now. When did the ECHL start with 5? (well, I could just go to their website, I suppose...)
For the record, I get a ticket that gets me in the building. That's it. And it's for a seat so good that unless it's a packed house, I'm by myself. No discounts on anything whatsoever. No free parking. No free food. No free parties, if I'm even allowed to attend. And no special access to the building or team.