My only contention with this is I don't think the Komets are running roughshod over the league. That's too simplistic, unless you haven't watched the actual games. When you're down 3-1 in a series and 2-0 in a game and need to stop a breakaway from it being 3-0, that's not running roughshod. Especially when you win Game 6 despite 8-2 power plays against.
Same thing two years ago, too, plus they've had very compelling playoff series against Muskegon two years ago and Kalamazoo last year which could have gone either way. Flint could very easily have won these last two finals gamese gone either way.
Look at all the one-goal games they won two years ago and the 350-man games they lost to injuries last year. This run by the Komets is actually a freak of nature type thing, the best run in the franchise's history.
Could you say the Komets are running roughshod simply because they were smart and lucky enough to sign Nick Boucher? That is actually more logical.
Comments
Ignorance at its finest
And being close minded is any better?
In other news, talks to keep the Coyotes in Arizona have broken off....AGAIN! I really hope the NHL moves that franchise back to Winnipeg.... Resurrect the Jets!!!
I had the same reaction. Heck, in the Port Huron series this year, Al was getting out-coached by Stan, and the key to the win was Larry getting hurt. The K's are winning playing under the same rules as everyone else, and haven't eased through the past two cups by any means. Anybody claim a roughshod running by the Montreal Canadiens when they won four in a row? Or, were they just better? Did the NHL decide to 'die' because Montreal won four in a row? It always cycles.
He is one of the reasons Muskegon is running away from the IHL. His reporting is very biased and very well uninformed. He can't hold a candle to Blake Sebring. When Blake gives his oppinion it is always right on. When he reports it is only the facts as he knows them. Paul mostly chased more fans away than he ever brought in.
Right on Schebig!
I see a pattern... Nobody in Ft Wayne thinks anything is wrong, we're winning championships so it aint broke so why fix it????? Right????
Two of the cornerstones of this league are now gone (K-Zoo and Musky)... A third is rumored to be looking into the NAHL (Port Huron). How does the foundation stay up at this point? Ft Wayne cant hold up the league on its own, I think the Frankes are gonna have to face losing a lil profit for more stability. Us nutball, diehard fans will always be here and the show they put on during games will continue to pull in the casual fan.
I dont believe for a second that a writer has had anything to do with Muskegon leaving the IHL..... It all comes down to money lost thru the loopholes in the system... IMO
JR..Nothing personal, but the pattern you see is people ignoring your posts. Not everyone after all I didn't.
That's not your opinion JR, that's the freakin truth.
Dschebig Says: "He is one of the reasons Muskegon is running away from the IHL."
What a poor statement, talk about uneducated. Even IF he had the power to influence a city with 50 years of pro hockey to go the way of juniors, why didn't they choose another pro league like the K-Wings?
I've read Paul quite a lot this year, I'd guarantee 99.9% more then you have and he has NEVER, NEVER mentioned this before.
Believe what you will Komet fans, but outside the MC, the league and the Komet's are viewed this way. Sorry and I know you won't "get it", but it's the truth. Just read another article from the AHL Hershey Bear's that state that this league is Single A. Talent wise, there's no way it is, but that's perception throughout the real hockey world. I'd like to be part of that relevance someday, you guys let me know what your on to be so closed minded, I'd also like to live life that way. Maybe I wouldn't of noticed this sub-par league years ago and continue to have my seats next to my friends, paint my face orange and black every night, and kiss my wife Pamela Anderson goodnight while Rachel Ray makes me breakfast.
This is why this blog is unreadable Blake, like reading your stuff Blake, but there is no control through the glasses that these people peer out of.
Ex-Season Ticket holder, Section 205, row 18, seats 1-2.
Chaulker..I am not offended by your post. All I will say is a I am an almost old man. (Well maybe not almost)You can believe whatever you want. Doesn't bother me in the least. The best part of your post was the last sentence. "Ex-Season Ticket Holder" I am pretty sure no one has missed you. But than I could be wrong about that also. Sure wouldn't bet that was my first mistake and I can also tell you it will not be my last. I am cool you see it's those little pills Burgee gives me.
Per Brendan Savage's article:
Fort Wayne is averaging 6,857 for six home playoff games. The other three teams
Dschebig, I'm not trying to offend you, but love the backhanded comment of "no one misses me" crap. Nice one. I don't care how old you are, how long you've been a K's fan, where you sit, how many years you've been at games, etc. You're obviously oblivious to the situation, don't worry, you're not alone. In fact, you fit right in.
It's called common sense, wikipedia it.
wow.... leave it to some on this blog to find reasons to be angry at the Frankes or the league when you are up 2-0 in a very very competitive finals that I don't believe are close to being done.
Isn't Costanzo in PH? How did he run fans off in Muskegon? I'm confused....
Chaulker, I miss you. I can't speak for the other 8136 people, but I wanted to cancel out the other vote.
Chaulker, I have just posted this on another thread. Why should the Frankes apologize for putting together a winning team on the ice and marketing it well? It is the towns that had ownership that didn't "get it" who should be up in arms. There is a lot of hard work that goes into this. The Frankes have the smarts and work ethic to accomplish something and the others choose to sit on their butts think they should have it too. Not ever going to happen in hockey or tiddly winks.
The only disparity is the effort from the owners.
You sure can't say the Flint hockey players aren't trying. Tough as nails those guys.
Thanx JM, I creep around, but your vote is def. counted.
Been angry for years Mr S, probably back when Muskegon couldn't charter a bus down here 3 years ago for a playoff game because the owner was so crooked and in debt.
Angry? The fans should be angry, remember when it was an "awesome" idea to get the pizza guys to put a team in Dayton? And this league was based on finding "solid, financial owners"? They seriously lasted 2 months.
I here ya Mike, zero ill will towards the Frankes, in fact, I don't think I posted that they are doing anything wrong, they are doing everything financially right for themselves. I get it, trust me, I get it. I just won't support it w/ my money.
I love the finals match-up, this fun league has me rooting for the Generals and all of the crap that they've been through.
But I won't use the "I" word like a famous broadcaster used are here to tell the Frankes how to run their business. They've never run a sports franchise by themselves but have all the answers here. Hey Chauker where were you sitting I like to get my tickets closer to center ice next year.
I already stated it in a previous post.....I come to this board prepared.
Mr Schebig, most people dont ignore my posts because I post my opinion and the facts that I gather on other sites and talking with people who have insights into the business... I dont attack other posters or resort to name calling towards those who happen to have a differing opinion than mine. If you dont like my open minded approach to posting, so be it. If you are trying to suck me into a name calling battle so I can get banned, its not gonna happen.
There are obviously two schools of thought on the subject. I see both sides of it.
I make good money, (I'm not rich, but I get by.) but I drive an old car with a lot of miles, that doesn't look that good, and quite frankly smells a little odd... I think the Komets in the IHL is a lot like that. I could drive a really nice four wheel drive truck, but I have reliable transportation that gets me where I need to go. I like to look at my money in my savings account. I think the Franke's are similar in thier approach. The IHL is good enough. Could they be in a better league? Yes. Do they have to be? So far, no.
So until my wife, kid, or dog decided to boycott my car, or it blows up... Thats what I drive.
And until we as fans boycott the IHL or it "blows up".....the Franke's will continue to "drive it".
Business is business.
People get emotional about this issue. Just remember at the end of the day we've all invested a lot of time and money in being fans. We might not agree, but making it personal doesn't do any good.
JR...Hold on, you missed the the satire, I am sorry about that. I am really sorry you took it as an attack! WOW I have no idea how you got that. NONE was intended. I agree you are generally right on with almost everything. Not 100% but close. I never try to suck anyone in. I have no idea how you got all that out of two little sentences. Peace my blogger friend!
Mile, I'm glad to see you and Ron had a safe trip home. It was great meeting you and discussing the importance of Canadian-USA relationships, especially with those universal common denominators, beer and hockey! :-)
Seriously, had a good time and hope we can repeat it again.
As far as the rest of what's being said in this thread, it will probably go on until the league folds or succeeds. I'm going to try to stay out of it, at least until some facts are presented instead of rumor and innuendo being put forward by a few losers and people who were against the IHL and/or the Frankes from day one.
Dschebig, please answer how a Port Huron beat writer (not only that, but one that very rarely writes opinion pieces) is responsible for the Muskegon Lumberjacks pro team folding.
We're all ears/eyes. If you're going to get personal, you better at least know what you're talking about before you go there...
The rest, looks like Chaulker already took care of...
Hawks score!!.....let me very clear, I am sorry if I am offending people, I really don't mean to, but, when someone is told they are being ignored because their opinion doesn't mesh w/ someone else's, then yes, I'm going to be abrasive.
I miss K's game, but I don't go....I still follow a lot of minor league hockey, specifically the IHL, but it's difficult for me knowing all that goes into it.
HAWKS SCORE AGAIN!!
I didn't spread any rumors, I stated facts. I called someone uneducated because the comment on Costanzo was completely way off base and unnecessary. Almost sickening really if you think about such an accusation.
JM, I miss shootin the snot w/ him about the games in the hallway. I understand that you guys are excited about the finals and the opportunity to win another Turner Cup, but I'm just not w/ you. I have a closet full of K's gear and they go unused. This isn't what I want out of my local team and as much right as you guys have to cheer for them, I have and others have the same rights to not and want better.
My biggest issue with minor league hockey, and I believe the reason that the Franke's won't/don't want to join another league is the creative control over the roster. If we were to join another league, we wouldn't have guys like Chaulk, Hukalo, Bertram, Boucher etc. because whoever our big league affiliate is decides who is on the team and who isn't. There really is no such thing as a GM in the EC/AHL because at the snap of fingers above them, a player is gone.
I truly believe minor league hockey's only way to survive is to get rid of this stupid baseball style feeder league system. Put all the talent into a single pool and let GM's at the minor league level decide who they want and who they don't. Then if an NHL team decides it wants a player, it can simply buy there contracts, very similar to the way Europe's soccer system works.
I know its a pipe dream but its the only way a team like Dayton can survive.
Before I start making my point....Let me say one thing....I am not directing this at anyone, I don't have anything against anyone here, the Frankes are awesome at their jobs....they give us a great product that works here in Fort Wayne. So I have nothing against them, period. Nor do I have anything against any of the writers. This is just my opinion coming.
Please hear me out....
Day one, I supported this IHL, I went overboard at times fighting for it, supporting it financially by going to other cities in the league, encouraging co-workers, friends, family, strangers, neighbors, you name it, to lock into the IHL and the Komets. I maintained that we should give the IHL a fair chance and I was confident that this thing would work out and that more markets would jump aboard....heck, I even waged war on K-Zoo and K-Zoo fans that they were idiots for jumping ship....I think you all know this. I lost my mind over the summer. I was Pro-IHL totally.
I have to say. I have changed my tune. I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears that this thing just isn't working in the IHL. There are lots of reasons why. Bottomline is that there is little or no stability left in this IHL. You can't keep losing teams like K-Zoo, Musky, and maybe now Port Huron. And I will guarantee one thing guys, if PH goes, Lachenski and Co. will dump Quad City like a bad habit and this IHL will be doomed whether you like to hear that or not. That will be the facts. Nothing personal about that, it is just how it is.
The league is running out of options. Where else can this league expand to??? You lose 2 good franchises, maybe 1 or 2 more....where do you find another arena within this geographic footprint that makes financial sense? Chicago, they don't want in, they will be in the ECHL 2011, 2012. Evansville, they are building a new arena, they are not even in the picture until 2011 or 2012....and it sounds like there is going to be serious competition as to what league winds up there (ECHL, CHL, USHL). It has been heard in places that Evansville doesn't trust the IHL's stability. How can you argue that? I can't.
There are other reasons that others have mentioned as to why the IHL isn't working out totally, finances, ownerships or lack there of, building problems, etc. I won't go there as I don't have all night...LOL
The article that Paul "don't call me George" Costanza wrote....if he had left out the part about Komet dominance or whatever he called it....then no one could really argue with his points...it was his opinion, he made good points....I happen to agree.
Places like Port Huron and Flint, well to be as nice as I can be, should have lower level hockey for their size arenas, sized fanbases, and sized economy. I am not trying to be mean, but that is just how it is these days. It makes more sense for them to be in single A or juniors, and call it what it is, and enjoy that hockey with no reason to feel bad about it.
Fort Wayne, well, come people.....we deserve ECHL or above and that is just how it is. No slight against anyone here or anywhere for that matter, what we pay, the way we support our team, the size of our arena, the quality of our team and ownership.....why in the h...e....double hockey sticks are we slumming with teams that can't pay players, can't energize more than 1500 people to watch the games, and can't hang with the big dog??? Seriously....why?
Ok.....I am sure I just ticked most of you negative nellies off....the foo foo fraternity of fabulous fellows....whatever you want to be called. But you have to remember, it was just 3 or 4 months ago I was on the otherside of the aisle.
And Steve, I am not a Franke hater, I am a lover of them, and I am not a loser for my opinion.
OK?
Have a good night folks. Bottomline, we are all diehard Komet fans, we all want the best for our orange and black.
Plus, Blake just agreed with what I say, what Costanza said....outside of the Komet Dominance part, just as I feel too. So all of you FFFFF's (see above)....you aren't far behind on the point of view of your fearless leader, SuperFan. Dennis said he supports everything that Blake says and writes no matter what.....so ther you go.
Peace....Go Komets!!!
Chaulker, JR, Zach, JM, hell, even Primis: You've all made very good points and you all have a lot more hockey knowledge than I do, so it's very interesting reading all you have to say and comparing that to what I've read/heard/seen throughout the season. Primis, I remember going a round or two with you over the summer, but at this point, I'm seriously considering swallowing most of my words.
I guess from my standpoint (and simply my opinion), it just gets old hearing the trump card of "but the Komets have won 2 straight Turner Cups" as a basis for how great the IHL is and that we should be happy about the state of things. The thing about the league that gets a little old is that the teams we are defeating each year in "close competetive games" are teams that have nowhere near the resources our team has. Maybe we aren't the great superpowers and successful Komets that the wins and Cups have told us we are? Would we still be winning the games and championships if the other teams had 7,000 fans rooting them on at their home games? What if the other teams all had the facilities and equipment our players are used to? What if other players could just concentrate on the game on the ice and not if their things are still going to be in their rented homes when they get back from practice? I'm not blaming the Frankes or the Komets or anyone else, I just wonder those questions sometimes. At times, I almost feel like a Yankees fan, rooting for a team who has the financial abilities to own the league. Do the Yankees lose games? Of course. Do they win championships? Yep. Are they on fair ground with all other teams in MLB? Nah. Maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges. Regardless, I enjoy watching the Komets over doing nothing in Fort Wayne during the winter months. My time in Indianapolis was fantastic, but it sure does make things seem a bit slower when I come back to the Fort. I'll wait patiently to be told "go back, you won't be missed."
Burgee has asked several times for what he calls the "nellies" to come out. Now that the observant concerned people have come out with some logical thinking, I haven't seen any of his responses. Come on, Burgee, address the issues brought up by several people. That's not a challenge, I just want to read some logical thinking from the other side of the line to see how it matches up. This is all very interesting to me and I think several people are making very good points and presenting them well.
I won't comment on the name-calling because I think those who are being attacked are doing a great job of showing up the attacker. They are right in what they are posting and how things are worded. There are two sets of standards depending on what side of the fence you're on it seems sometimes. A lot of good information from the majority of the bloggers on this one though, despite which side of the fence you are sitting on. It will be a very interesting summer seeing what ends up happening with it all.
Good points hit, could it be possible that we could be left without komet hockey next fall? We have one team leaving and two others being held together by a thread. I hope they dont mess around too long and these other leagues say sorry to late to join this year.
Wouldn't that be an absolute shame if that were true. If Port Huron goes NAHL as does Flint primarily, we go down to 4 teams folks....count them....4.
Quad City Ownership has been jumpy with the thought of only 6 teams.....could you imagine if we drop to 4, and his Mallards are one of the 4. If Quad City goes too......we have 3.....would Bloomington play without QC??? If they say no, then we have 2. How about 70 games next season against Dayton???
Would the FFFFF show up for those games? We could still play for another Turner Cup and maybe a 4-peat.
Obviously, we all hope this isn't the fate of our team.
But if the ECHL is playing hardball and isn't allowing the Komets in next year....
Where do we go? CHL? That would be insane.
AAHL? Oh my.....don't get me started.
This is desperate times in the IHL and I think Fort Wayne is desperate at this point...and swingman Hextall is out selling his goods and good fortunes to all that will listen.
I am worried.