Looks like the league did a good job with the schedule, at least the Komets' part of it which is the only thing I've had a chance to look at so far. Putting together a league schedule is the most thankless job of any in sports.
For the first time in a couple of years, the Komets do not play someone from another division more times at home than they play one of their division foes. It also looks like the travel schedule is easier than last year. Even in some of the longer trips, they are staying for more than one game in the same place.
Things that stand out: They still only play three games at Toledo, which makes no sense whatsoever since the Walleye are only 90 minutes away. The Komets also play 27 home games against North Division goes compared to 24 on the road. Nine games at Kalamazoo: They couldn't have traded one or two of those for games at Toledo? They don't play Cincinnati at home until March 15 -- So much for building up that rivalry. They play only three games at Evansville -- all within two weeks.
Only five Wednesday home games.
Comments
Vey few things in the ECHL make sense to me. Regarding the North division schedule and pairings, I would submit that it would be hard for us to conclude much about it as some team (probably Cincinnati) needs to move to the other division to make it a four team division (replacing the Trenton franchise). I understand the article, however. Its hard to put stuff down as facts when the league hasn't made some decisions. Just another thing about the ECHL that doesn't "fly" with me!
9 away games in K-zoo is how the Wings finance their season. Gotta figure with their avg. attendance only around 3100, that extra 200 or so that make the trip on average is quite the boost in their pocket. $20 x 200 x 9= $36,000 extra, which in the ECHL, is the salary for 3 weeks.