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.
