Satisfaction waning for ticket buyers in two of Badgers' biggest sports

s/t Sioux Volley... There was an interesting article that was posted in the Madison Newspaper on June 11, 2013, that was written by Todd Milewski.

I think that you will find some of the points of the article to be very interesting to why Wisconsin Badgers "might" have experienced a drop off in attendance and ticket sales last season.

That comes after a season in which the Badgers did not lead the nation in men's hockey attendance for the first time since 1998.

"I think hockey's in a little bit of what will ultimately be a positive transitional phase in the scheduling in that you're going to have all the games against the Big Ten schools plus the games against nonconference opponents that people are familiar with," Doherty said.

Athletics officials received no shortage of comments from hockey fans. Among them:

• "Take steps to improve game-day atmosphere such as increased marketing to increase attendance, allow signs, etc., in student section."

• "Allow signs, noisemakers, other items to enhance the environment."

• "Allow beer sales at the Kohl Center."

• "The value is severely diminished when you do not get Minnesota and/or North Dakota at home."

Last season, the Badgers sold one of their home games against archrival Minnesota to a company that staged it outdoors at Chicago's Soldier Field.

"Sending your premier rivalry game to Chicago shows disrespect to your fan base," one comment read.

Despite the dip in game-day satisfaction with men's basketball, the report indicates that the athletic department should not expect a decline in renewal rate next season.

Read more: 

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Here we are, the regular season has ended and we begin the WCHA playoffs. Congratulations to the Gophers, who captured their 12th WCHA regular season title by beating their arch-rival, the Badgers, on Saturday night. The Bulldogs fell just a little short of a fourth league title and will have to settle for second this year. However, this weekend starts a new season for everyone, now it's do or do not, win two move on, lose two and your playoff season is over (for most teams).

Let’s look back at last year and compare it to this season. This year it took 28pts go get home ice and last year it also took 28 points to get home ice. Last year CC finished in 6th place with an even record too, 13-13-2, very similar to SCSU record of 12-12-4 this year. Both this year and last the 2nd place team had 37 points, and 3rd place had 36 points. It is funny how some things seem to stay the same.


WCHA FINAL STANDINGS 2011-2012

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Minnesota………………20-8-0…..…….40
2. Minnesota-Duluth……..16-7-5….……..37
3. Denver…………..………16-8-4………...36
4. North Dakota.……….….16-11-1….……33
5. Colorado College ……..15-12-1……….31
6. St. Cloud St……………. 12-12-4………28

7. Nebraska-Omaha………11-12-5……....27
8. Michigan Tech………….11-13-4………26
9. Bemidji State……..……..11-14-3.……...25
10. Wisconsin…....……….11-15-2...…..…24
11. Minnesota State……..…8-18-2...……..18
12. Alaska-Anchorage…....5-22-1………..11


(#’s are current Pair Wise Rankings)

Michigan Tech @ #19 Colorado College
(season series - CC wins 2-0)

Last weekend these teams played each other with the Tigers sweeping the Huskies in Colorado Springs, 5-2 and 2-0.

With the sweep last weekend the Tigers improved their home record to 11-5-2 this season. The Huskies fell to 5-10-2 on the road last weekend in Colorado Springs. This series should be a tough fought one. It is hard to sweep the same team back to back weekends, and I don’t think it is going to happen. MTU has fought to hard this season to let it end on a four game losing skid to the same team. The Huskies need to score first in these games to take the crowd out of the equation. Also that will allow MTU to dictate the pace of the game. In the end, I think the Tigers will prevail, but it won’t be easy. TIGERS IN 3


Nebraska-Omaha @ #25 St. Cloud State
(season series - UNO wins 1-0-1)

Last weekend the UNO Mavericks were swept by the Pioneers in Omaha and the Huskies took three points from the Bulldogs in St. Cloud.

These teams met back in late November in Omaha with the Mavericks winning the opener 4-3 and tying in the Saturday rematch, 2-2. The Huskies are heating up at the right time. SCSU is 3-1-1 in their last five and are 5-2-1 in their last eight. The Mavericks have been doing the opposite, they have cooled down, and you might say they have even gone cold. Their losses last weekend cost them home ice and now they hit the road. UNO has now hit a season worst four game losing streak, and have been reeling, going 2-8-1 over their last eleven games. The Mavericks have not swept anybody on the road this season, they closest they came was taking three points from BSU in November. The Mavericks might take a game from the Huskies at the National Hockey Center, but I don’t think they will make it to St. Paul. HUSKIES SWEEP


Alaska-Anchorage @ #6t Minnesota
(season series - UM wins 2-0)

Last weekend the Seawolves were swept by the Beavers in Anchorage and the Gophers split with the Badgers in Minneapolis.

These teams met in Minneapolis back at the end of October, with the Gophers winning 5-0 in the opener and 3-1 in the finale. And I’m sure most everyone remembers what happened a year ago with the Gophers hosted the Seawolves in the first round, UAA swept them at Mariucci, 4-3 and 2-0. Since last year, these teams have changed significantly, the Gophers are much better than they were last year. The Seawolves have dropped off some since last season. I can’t recall the top seed in the WCHA losing the first round playoff series to the bottom team. On paper this should be a pair of slaughters, but you still have to play the games. I don’t think the Gophers will be over looking UAA this time around. GOPHERS SWEEP


Minnesota State @ #2t Minnesota-Duluth
(season series - UMD wins 3-0-1)

Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by the Sioux in Grand Forks and the Bulldogs got a point from the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.

These teams first played back in mid November in Duluth with the Bulldogs sweeping the games by scores of 5-2 and 7-3. They just played in three weeks ago in Mankato, with UMD winning Friday night 4-2 and then tying Saturday night 4-4. It is fairly obvious that the Mavericks need to hold the Bulldogs to less than four goals a game, if they want to make some noise in the post season. The Mavericks are 6-12-0 away from Mankato this year and the Bulldogs are 12-5-1 in Duluth this year. MSUM has their work cut out for them this weekend, but if they can clamp down defensively and get some timely saves they could make a series out of it. In the end, UMD just has to much fire power up front and the Mavericks cannot stymie them forever. BULLDOGS SWEEP


Bemidji State @ #13 North Dakota
(season series - UND wins 2-0)

Last weekend the Beavers swept the Seawolves in Anchorage and the Sioux swept the MSUM Mavericks in Grand Forks

Edit: These teams split in Bemidji, back in November, with UND winning the first game of the series 5-2 and Bemidji winning the second game 1-0. The Sioux are heating up late in the season they are 8-2-1 in their last eleven games. The Beavers snapped out of four game losing streak by sweeping the Seawolves last weekend. With those pair of wins BSU improved their road record to 6-10-2, meanwhile UND in 14-4-3 in Grand Forks this season. The Beavers need to play some solid defense in front of their net minder, if they hope to extend their season. UND just needs to play their up tempo game style and stay out of the penalty box, in order to prevail this weekend. The Sioux are heating up and that doesn’t bode well for the Beavers. SIOUX SWEEP


Wisconsin @ #11 Denver
(season series - CC wins 2-0)

Last weekend the Badgers split with the Gophers and the Pioneers swept the UNO Mavericks in Omaha.

These teams just played three weeks ago in Madison with the Pioneers winning on Friday 3-0 and the Badgers taking Saturday’s game 5-2. The Pioneers are 12-5-2 at Magness Arena and the Badgers are 4-9-1 away from the Kohl Center. The Badgers just had their four game winning streak snapped on Saturday night, but going 4-1-0 over their last five is a good sign for cardinal and white fans. The Pioneers have won three in a row and six of their last eight games, with the loses to UW and UND. DU was the pre-season favorite to win the league, and as of late they are looking like the team everyone was expecting. UW is playing with a lot of confidence right now and will give DU all they can handle and then some in this series. However, DU has some of the best top end talent in their forwards, which will be the difference maker in this series. PIONEERS IN 3

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: March 8, 2012 (insidehockey.com)
• Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 3/04/2012 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 2/28/12 (insidehockey.com)
• Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 2/26/2012 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 2/19/2012 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 2/12/2012 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - February 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - February 13 (insidehockey.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

This week we have a full schedule of six WCHA series. Every team is now down to six games left in the regular season, except MSUM and UAA which are down to four. This means teams have a maximum of twelve points left on the table to grab in an effort to move up the WCHA rankings. Taking that into account, it is looking the MSUM Mavericks, the Badgers will be on the road in the first round, and the Seawolves are already assured of first round trip. It also appears to be down to a three team, UM, UMD, and DU, race for the coveted McNaughton Cup.

Also we wish the young Mr. Zucker a quick and full recovery from the illegal hit he received from the UM’s Kyle Rau.


WCHA STANDINGS

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Minnesota………………15-7-0…..……30
2. Minnesota-Duluth……..13-6-3….…….29
3. Denver…………..………12-6-4………..27
4. Colorado College ……..12-9-1………..25
5. Nebraska-Omaha………10-7-5………..25
6. North Dakota……….….12-10-0….…….24
7. Michigan Tech………….10-9-3………..23
8. St. Cloud St……………. 9-10-3……….21
8. Bemidji State….…………9-10-3…….…21
10. Minnesota State………8-15-1………..17
11. Wisconsin……………..7-13-2…..……16
12. Alaska-Anchorage…...4-19-1…………9


WCHA Games
Note - the #'s are now the PairWise Ranking (PWR)

Nebraska-Omaha @ Colorado College
Last weekend Mavericks took 3-points from the MTU Huskies in Houghton and the Tigers were swept by the Beavers in Bemidji.

The Tigers have started to slide, only get one win in their last five games, going 1-3-1. Over those games, they have not scored more than two goals in a game. CC needs their offense to start scoring some more, if they want to get claw their way back into the win column. The Mavericks also only have one win in their last five games too, going 1-2-2. However, they have been scoring more than CC, but have given up too many goals. UNO needs to get some solid goaltending in better defensive zone coverage to limit opponents scoring chances. The Mavericks play the Gophers and the Pioneers after this series. UNO will need to get points any way possible to stay in the mix for a home playoff spot. SPLIT


#3 Minnesota-Duluth @ Minnesota State
Last weekend Bulldogs split with North Dakota in Duluth and the Mavericks swept the Seawolves in Anchorage.

The Mavericks are hot right now, winning five of their last seven games, going 5-2-0. Also since 2012 they have not lost back to back games. The Bulldogs have been struggling lately going 2-3-1 in their last six games. UMD has a chance to win the WCHA again, thanks to DU sweeping UM. I’m sure they are fully aware of this fact and will step up to the challenge and try and win their first McNaughton Cup this millennium. SPLIT


Alaska-Anchorage @ St. Cloud State
Last weekend the Seawolves were swept by the MSUM Mavericks in Anchorage and the SCSU Huskies enjoyed a free weekend at home.

The Huskies still have a chance to get home ice, but they need points and some help. They can help themselves this weekend by taking four points from the woeful Seawolves. UAA is playing for pride now and can play the spoiler role, if they can get a win here or there. Huskies 3-pts


Bemidji State @ #14 Minnesota
Last weekend the Beavers swept the Tigers in Bemidji and the Gophers were swept by the Pioneers in Denver.

The Beavers are on a four game unbeaten streak going 3-0-1 their last four games. The Gophers saw their grip on the top spot dwindle down to a single point last weekend. UM’s struggles on Friday nights continues on, and if it happens again this weekend they could slip down the standings a spot. These are the only games they play this year, last season the Gophers won one game and tied the other, in Bemidji. This year BSU has struggled on the road, going 4-8-2, and the Gophers are 12-5-0 at Mariucci Arena this season. SPLIT


Michigan Tech @ #15 North Dakota
Last weekend the Huskies earned one point against the UNO Mavericks in Houghton and North Dakota split with the Bulldogs in Duluth.

This will be the first meeting for these long time rivals this year. Last year UND beat MTU the last two games of the regular season (6-1, 11-2) and then twice again the next weekend in the first round of the playoffs (8-0, 3-1). The Sioux…North Dakota has won four of their last five games and looking to be finding their scoring touch again. The Huskies have been sliding their last seven games, going 2-3-2 over that span. Tech is 5-7-1 on the road this season. The last time they won in Grand Forks was March 15th of 2008 in overtime, in a first round WCHA playoff game, UND won the three game series. North Dakota is fighting for home, just like the Huskies are and every point now is critical. North Dakota Sweep


#7 Denver @ Wisconsin
Last weekend the Pioneers swept the Gophers in Denver and the Badgers had a weekend of in Madison.

The Pioneers pulled themselves within three points of the top spot in the WCHA last weekend. In case you forgot DU was the preseason favorite to win the league this year. The Pioneers are heating up going 7-1-1 in their last nine games. The Badgers are just playing for pride now, they best they could do we be to end the season with an even record. The Badgers are winless in their last four games. In the end, the Pioneers just have too much talent for the Badgers to handle this season. Pioneers Sweep

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - February 13 (insidehockey.com)
• Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 2/12/2012 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Goon's WCHA Power Rankings for 11/13/2011 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 20 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Michael Mersch penalty.

At the .50 second mark on [this video] above you will see the check that the Wisconsin Badgers forward Michael Mersch put on Minnesota Gophers forward Kyle Rau.

This check in question would end the night for the Badgers Mersch as he was given a five minute major for contact to the head and a game misconduct. In watching the video, I honestly don't understand how that hit could be a five and a game. To me it looked like a legal check. Here is what Jess Meyers had to say on the hit.

The score was tied 1-1 in the second when the Badgers missed a golden opportunity to take the lead, misfiring with two white jerseys alone in front of Patterson. Just seconds later, Wisconsin's Michael Mersch leveled Kyle Rau along the boards and drew an iffy call for contact to the head. Mersch was tossed from the game, and the Gophers got a five-minute power play. While they did not score on the extended man-advantage, the Gophers captured momentum that they would not relinquish.

The Gophers were unable to score on the five minute power play. The Badgers head coach Mike Eaves looked highly agitated with the Todd Anderson call and gave Anderson an earful at the Wisconsin Badgers players bench.