I noticed Evansville put out a press release calling the Komets their archrival.
OK, that's just hype because there's been nothing happening to consider calling it a rivalry. The regular-season games haven't been that good or memorable and the teams haven't met in the playoffs. The IceMen have two things going for them in this case: 1. Fic who has the passion; 2. More players than any other CHL team that Fort Wayne fans probably recognize.
Other than that, so what? What makes you want to (or not) watch those games more than any other games on the schedule? Now, there's probably more potential there for a rivalry, especially with the whole same state thing going on, but it's certainly not a rivalry yet. Dayton is much closer and easier to get to, but that's not one either, even though Fort Wayne-native Brian Gratz's presence helps.
If the Komets played Rapid City more, I could see that becoming a rivalry, but they don't. No amount of marketing can force a rivalry to blossom, either.
Here's the rivalry recipe:
* Competition: The closer the teams in terms of quality, the better.
* Proximity: Never hurts to have fans traveling to both teams' arenas.
* Characters: Somebody needs to stir the pot and focus the fans' ire.
* Tension: Either bragging or outrage over an incident between games.
* Familiarity: It's much more fun if fans recognize opposing players.
* Consistency: One of the teams can't have another rivalry with another team.
* Dislike: There can't be any fraternization between players or fans.
* Crossover: It adds to the intrigue if one or two key players switch sides.
* Playoffs: Real rivalries are nurtured when it's win-or-go-home.
* History: You can't have a rivalry that's been around less than five years.
That last point rules out every current opponent except two: Bloomington and Quad City.
As for Bloomington, is Indiana football a rival ro Ohio State? Does Indiana State threaten Purdue? Formerly having cool jerseys does not make you an opponent to respect.
Is Quad City a rival? No, there has to be a certain amount of respect on both sides for a rivalry. Or at least a credible threat. Quad City has to pull a few more Ball States before that happens. There are certain Mallards players to respect, but not necessarily the team overall.
Not sure about that? OK, quick who's coaching the Mallards this year? Who owns them? Who's the GM? Rightfully so, their beat writer, Craig DeVrieze, has more name recognition than anyone on the ice. If they Mallards were a rival, you'd be interested enough to know all of that information.
The Komets don't have a rival, and you certainly can't make a rivalry after one year as the IceMen may like. That said, the Komets are also not the primary rivals for anyone else right now. They have to earn that spot again with someone.
Shoot, there's a stronger rivalry between some teams' bloggers than there is between the actual teams. Then you've got QC fans whose bloggers are so desperate for attention they'll do and say almost anything to get a reaction. Pulling stuff like that ruins credibility, and means they are the kid jumping up and down and waving their hand in the air that the teacher ignores to call on someone else.
Must be horribly sad to be so insecure. Oops, sorry, didn't mean to rub it in. Here's a tissue and a sucker.
Comments
Its been a couple years and I still hate anything Kalamazoo
Evansville is kind of a rival if you count the Muskegon part of the franchise.
Kalamazoo is one.
Larry Sterling is one.
I could see Martinson and Chicago being one.
I could see Toledo being one.
Evansville will develop into one because they have signed some jerks.
Is this really a question? I can't believe it got this much space on the Komets' blog, sponsored by the Fort Wayne News Sentinel. Since when do we care what Evansville says? Are they trying to ride our rivalry coattails too? Or is this a destraction story from an unpopular camp invite?
Blah. I hated Rapid City and their obnoxious fan after one series last year more than I've ever even thought about E-Ville.
Interesting topic but why do we care about what Evansville says. Does it build interest in their on-ice product? Sure. Does it really matter to the Komets? No.
However, it was interesting to see the term rivaly broken down like it was.
I must have missed who that un-named camp invitee was...hmmm?
You pegged the QC fan. They rule the into the boards board and they make their tiny fan base bigger because they are louder.
When Sgroi runs Boucher on opening night or beats A-Pod to a bloody pulp, you will see what they mean.
Anyone that remembers Rich Kromm and the Muskegon goons will look at Eville as evil. The signing of Sgroi leads me to believe Rich has not changed his ways.
Hit, I never said he was un-named, but rather "unpopular". I didn't want to say his name because his biggest fan on here would go nuts and defend him until Hell or high water. He is discussed on a previous thread from a couple days ago.
why change. it works for him and his teams. rival? prolly not...yet anyways. who knows. we all may be surprised at our toughness. maybe not our wins or scoring with all the familiar faces... cough... but hopefully we have something going for us.
PM'ed you over in the land of the free, Hit.
* Dislike: There can
Evansville stinks.
Nobody outside of their 1500 fans care about them.
They'll be gone in 2 seasons.
That is all.
Never heard of him RK....
Was he ever hurt or injured??? LOL
Yours truly,
Hurt Somebody!!!
PS: JM is a poopy head!
I don't see Evansville as a great rivalry. Maybe it will become one, who knows?
If I had to pick a team as a rival it would be Rapid City. Last year, on opening night, the game was billed as a clash of the Champions. They came in, endured a terribly long pre-game ceremony, and then throttled the Komets 4-0. Kind of an embarrassing start to a very forgetable season. Rapid City then went on to win each regular season game and took the first two of the playoffs. The Komets won the next two at home forcing a game 5. The Komets got killed in the deciding game 5. Something to work on.
The next closest rival would be Wichita. The games played here were spirited and were made up of all the ingredients that makes a rivalry.
Sorry, but I can't help this next thought. I've had twenty-four hours to digest the news of no new snipers being signed and the impending inclusion of Brandon Warner attending training camp. I can accept Warner being asked as he can always get cut. The harm I see in it is he was left off the playoff roster to make room for another defenseman (Krug), wasn't protected by the Komets earlier in the season, and thus will be taking a roster spot from someone else when camp opens. It just makes no sense to me as I can't follow the Franke's logic on this one.
I have reviewed the Komets roster up front, and even with giving the benefit of the doubt to a few players, just don't see where the goals are going to come from. They are at their limit with vets, have a lot of kids to look at, and it seems to me that they are weak up front. They need at least one more sniper.
Am I the only one who sees it this way? If others see things differently or knows something that I don't, please post your thoughts. I'd appreciate it.
Watch out Alan.....don't question BWs. LOL
You might get the meaning of words debate!!!
Wait, Hit is always right. I forgot.
Some players don't require the salary that others do. Some have jobs or parents that slide a little cash their way. So sometimes a cheaper product is signed over a quality product. Just something to think about.
I don't think he could come cheap enough for me.
And I thought the object of this roster this year was to get younger, faster, and score more goals. They pretty much have recycled the same crew.
Alan, I share your concerns. At the end of last season, the talk was that the Komets needed scoring and they needed someone big and beefy enough to play in front of the net. Those needs seemed to be agreed upon by everyone up to and including Komet management. We now have 28 of 30 players signed and BW hanging in the wings, and we still don't seem to have the necessary snipers nor a big guy for in front of the net. Maybe some of the young rookies are going to step up, but that is asking for a lot from a rookie. I am very confused about what was said was going to happen and what has actually happened so far.
Any team that has Rich Kromm coaching it....well, maybe not the biggest rival, but one of the biggest issues for me. I'll always sit behind the glass and harrass his ugly self until he turns around and glares at me and tries to get security to throw me out. And fails. Again. He is just a mob lieutenant posing as a hockey coach, and I can say that without being offensive. I'm Irish mob myself :)
And I agree with JB....so far, I have not see a power forward anywhere. Maybe someone will adopt that role, or it's there and no one has mentioned it so far. You never know, I suppose...? If nothing else, Schrock will at least stand in front of the net and take the abuse and wait for someone to feed him the puck. Great....that covers one line. Now we need 2-3 other guys to do the same thing. Preferably big dudes. Who's the big Swede? He'd work for me. He'd be hard to move, wouldn't he? Plant his butt there. A goaltender might have some obstructed vision, we could get a little muscle where we need it, and hey, garbage goals do still count the same as pretty ones, last I checked.
Camp will be interesting, for sure.
Hope no one gets hurt BLB....LOL
Do you mean no one "else" gets hurt...? LOL. Just kidding. It has not helped or hurt me yet, just some interesting stuff in my family. Wish I could have used that all back in my dating days, that's for sure...LOL....
Maybe the dental plan rumors are true and it saves the Ks money to give him a roster spot, Alan. Much beyond that, I cant figure out his inclusion either.
Alan I agree with You the K'S do need one more sniper and He may be a little high priced after getting a hat trick in the Finals but David Rutherford be a Perfect Fit.
Patrick, thanks and you are correct. I had thought that Rutherford had signed somewhere but I can't remember for sure. His thirty-five goals sure would look nice on the Komets roster right about now.
I've been thinking about what Blake reported earlier. You know, the article in which he reported that the Franke's had contacted all of the top scorers. I thought he stated that all were contacted and all wanted to stay where they were.
That kind of puts a big whole in the theory that everyone wants to play in Fort Wayne, doesn't it?
I'm not sure I buy the argument that these players just want too much money and will not fit the budget. This league has a cap. The fact is, and remains, that other teams seem to have room in their budgets, why not the K's. Not many forwards excelled last season for the K's ( maybe Lardner, but he isn't with the team). If I had a chance to pick up a special player, I'd do it in a heartbeat. How would I pay for him? I'd cut two of my disappointing veterans and combine their money together.
I read and appreciated everyone's comment to my question. Thanks.
Look out for Missouri. If they have any defense at all they are going to go very far this season.
You all saw Mighty is reporting a Sniper and a Tough Guy have been signed??? Mighty knows these things. And Blake did ask Mighty to check his email....lol.
Wonder what time the spaceman will be put out tomorrow...I all ready know the location.
There is a salary cap. And unless the Komets are willing to cut loose the captain, PC or some of the other high priced "talent", it is going to be tough for them to sign a high profile name and fit it under the cap.
Exactly, Snuff. I don't want to see them cut Chaulk or am even suggesting it.
Some others? I wouldn't hesitate. If you could arrange a high salary along with a low salary the average would be close to having two above average salaries and not affect the cap. We know that rookies play for less and the Komets sure have a lot of them coming to camp. You'd think it would be very possible.
I wish that mightbite would confirm that the K's have a tough guy or sniper signed. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm confused as I feel that all my signals have been switched and have no idea if "big Komet news" means they have some guys signed, that the Komets have stopped signing and recruiting, or was a tongue-in-cheek reference about Warner being invited to camp.
He has confirmed it.