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hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
 Posted - 09/10/2009 : 05:43:32 AM
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A quick rundown of the (current) Cyclones home schedule for the upcoming season revealed 17 games which will be played on Friday or Saturday. This has got to be the most horrible schedule in the ECHL and probably all of minor league hockey. It is probably the worst mix in the 20+ year history of the ECHL.
Not only are a majority of Cyclone home games NOT on Friday and Saturday, but no Sunday games are played either.
I figured that Las Vegas may have a schedule as bad as ours is, but it's not even close. Despite playing in the extremely busy Orleans Arena (far busier than USBA) the Wranglers managed to wrangle 22 or 23 Friday or Saturday night contests.
I understand that at concert is worth far, far more than a weekend Cyclones game to Nederlander. However, the USBA will be sitting dormant for most of the weekend dates the Cyclones aren't using.
The previous two seasons had a 20-16 weekend (Fri/Sat) to other days mix. These were the league's worst as well. Reducing the mix to an NHL-like 17-21 borders on suicide.
I predict that the Cyclones will not average much more than 2500 per game this season. I hope that I'm wrong, but I don't know how they can do much better given their pitiful self-induced lack of weekend dates, the economy and the 20% price increase.
My gut tells me that Weber has convinced Harris to not play home Sunday games (I could be wrong), but why else would the team opt for the almost certain sub 1500 crowds that Wednesday and Thursday nights will bring?
Robinson had best keep his ice plant in good shape. It appears that Nederlander wants to get out of the hockey business. How could anyone come to any other conclusion? |
"The only way David Desharnais will see an NHL game is if he buys a ticket".
--donnie hockey
"David Desharnais will be invisible during 5 on 5 hockey. IN THE AHL"
--donnie hockey
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Edited by - hrc666 on 09/10/2009 05:50:33 AM |
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BP2011
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
531 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 10:55:43 AM
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| Thats been my argument ever since they came back in the league, they have too many weeknigt games |
08, 10 Kelly Cup Champions
08, 10, 14 American Conference Champions
08, 09, 13 North Division Champions
08 Brabham Cup Champions |
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Woodrow
(The Next Level!)
119 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 2:55:04 PM
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I didn't realize it was that bad. That's a ridiculous schedule, probably nowhere close to the next worst one. I guess those record crowds in the Finals weren't enough to convince the management that hockey can draw an audience.
All 36 of Wheeling's games have a potential weekend crowd. 33 of them are on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The others are the night before Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. The third is a school day game in February. The last chance for the Wheeling faithful to save the team, and I'm sure we have the best schedule in the league. |
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CincinnatiFan
(The Next Level!)
USA
288 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 3:45:07 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by hrc666
A quick rundown of the (current) Cyclones home schedule for the upcoming season revealed 17 games which will be played on Friday or Saturday. This has got to be the most horrible schedule in the ECHL and probably all of minor league hockey. It is probably the worst mix in the 20+ year history of the ECHL.
Not only are a majority of Cyclone home games NOT on Friday and Saturday, but no Sunday games are played either.
I figured that Las Vegas may have a schedule as bad as ours is, but it's not even close. Despite playing in the extremely busy Orleans Arena (far busier than USBA) the Wranglers managed to wrangle 22 or 23 Friday or Saturday night contests.
I understand that at concert is worth far, far more than a weekend Cyclones game to Nederlander. However, the USBA will be sitting dormant for most of the weekend dates the Cyclones aren't using.
The previous two seasons had a 20-16 weekend (Fri/Sat) to other days mix. These were the league's worst as well. Reducing the mix to an NHL-like 17-21 borders on suicide.
I predict that the Cyclones will not average much more than 2500 per game this season. I hope that I'm wrong, but I don't know how they can do much better given their pitiful self-induced lack of weekend dates, the economy and the 20% price increase.
My gut tells me that Weber has convinced Harris to not play home Sunday games (I could be wrong), but why else would the team opt for the almost certain sub 1500 crowds that Wednesday and Thursday nights will bring?
Robinson had best keep his ice plant in good shape. It appears that Nederlander wants to get out of the hockey business. How could anyone come to any other conclusion?
So what else is new? It seems to be a requirement in Cincinnati that you must do everything possible to run a team into the ground and run away fans. To me it would make more sense to schedule a lot of weekend games and move a couple if necessary but what do I know? |
Get Clones instead of Clunkers.
Cincinnati Cyclones
League Champs 2008 and 2010.
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the bear
(Finally Got A Star!)
USA
77 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 10:38:11 AM
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I thought the exact same thing. I don't think that the Cyclones are not intended to be a cash cow, but are intended to be a full time tenant that can boost the value of US Bank Arena. Afterall, even 1,500 people on a Wednesday night is better than an empty arena. I am curious to see what non-hockey weekend events are planned at USBA this hockey season. All I can think of is that they are talking with a lot of promoters to bring in a lot of acts. I tried looking through USBA website to see their archives, but it is so disorganized, it is difficult to see what was happening on Friday and Saturday nights or previous years. And they only have one event planned so far that would conflict with the Cyclones Schedule.
I also noticed that Cincinnati is one of only 2 teams in the ECHL that play in a 10,000 seat arena and is in a major market (Utah being the other). That means the Cyclones are a lot more likely to be bumped for a concert or a college basketball game. My only thought is that they keep the open weekend to attract the big names and use the Cyclones to fill in the gaps of the week. It may suck for attendance, but I think it is also assurance that the team can survive more easily. |
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hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 12:53:01 PM
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the bear-
I agree with your overall assessment. The Cyclones primary economic purpose is to maintain value in USBA. An arena with tenants is probably viewed as a more valuable asset than an arena without tenants.
My chief concern is that the schedule mix is so bad that it almost insures a drop-off in attendance this season, mitigating the momentum that has been so painstakingly built over the past three seasons. If more events had been scheduled at USBA, then I would take the "that's life in the big city" attitude. It's hard for me to do that when I'm staring at what essentially amounts to an empty schedule at USBA. I know some dates will be filled. I just can't understand the philosophy behind keeping so many dates open. Shifting the dates of a few games which might be "bumped" by concerts (or whatever)would seem to be more economically rational to me.
Charlotte would also fit the major market, 10k+ facility category. Perhaps even Charleston if one broadens one's definition of large market. |
"The only way David Desharnais will see an NHL game is if he buys a ticket".
--donnie hockey
"David Desharnais will be invisible during 5 on 5 hockey. IN THE AHL"
--donnie hockey
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 3:24:18 PM
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| Another way of looking at: If you consider weekends to be Friday, Saturday, Sunday, the Cyclones have 19 weekend games and 17 weekday games at home. Away they play 30 weekend games !!! ( including 7 on Sundays) and only SIX games during the week on the road. Fans more likely to bring kids to a 7:30 Wednesday game at USBA ( we have 10 of them) or a 4/5PM game Sunday night ( we have zero). The AHL plays lots of 3 game weekends. |
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somebeach
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1224 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 6:58:48 PM
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http://www.cycloneshockey.com/blogs/todays-argument-schedule-better-you-think
This is on the Cyclones website. |
What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
ZINGER!!!!! |
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hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 11:14:21 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by somebeach
http://www.cycloneshockey.com/blogs/todays-argument-schedule-better-you-think
This is on the Cyclones website.
Damn. This thread evidently hit a nerve.
The schedule still sucks. Perhaps Charlotte's is worse. However, they're competing with an NBA franchise-the building's primary tenant. Apples and oranges relative to the Clones. Trenton and Reading's schedules were a surprise to me. I'll admit to not looking them up. Also, the points made in the blog about the casual fan and number of games which they will attend has validity although I would think that the more weekend choices these fans would have the higher the likelihood of these fans attending more games.
If Nederlander ever hopes to break even (or make a few bucks) on the team, then they'll have to arrange a more weekend-oriented schedule. Otherwise they'll lose money every year more than likely. If that's ok with them, then it's fine by me. Ain't my dinero going down the drain. I happen to prefer weekday games to weekend games; they feel like a bonus to me and I'm not a fan of large crowds.
This incarnation of the Cyclones has been, by far, the most enjoyable sports entertainment experience of my lifetime. The management has done a tremendous job in virtually every area of importance as far as I'm concerned. I am amazed at the value that I have gotten for my money. My hat is off to them for everything that they have done.
Except for this stupid schedule
And I'm not changing my signature either 
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"The only way David Desharnais will see an NHL game is if he buys a ticket".
--donnie hockey
"David Desharnais will be invisible during 5 on 5 hockey. IN THE AHL"
--donnie hockey
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Edited by - hrc666 on 09/23/2009 01:20:41 AM |
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cloneinator
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
597 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 09:18:59 AM
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Well, for my two cents worth, if ownership is content than so am I. All I care about is keeping this team in Cincinnati. The only fear I have ever had is if ownership says the attendance does not justify the teams continued existence. I'm sure they know if there are more week night games, the attendance could drop. Optimistically, I think attendance could be the same or better than last year. This city is STARVED for a winner, and on a professional level this is a close as it will ever get.
I'm sure most of us can agree ownership has committed to winning, and have given Coach Weber a ton of latitude in doing what he needs to do to win, unlike the other two "Pro" teams in Cincinnati.
Most of us have been through one folded team and don't want to go through that again.
Okay, I'm off the soap box now... |
...And on the eighth day, GOD created the Cyclones! |
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HOCKEYgod
(The Next Level!)
207 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 11:19:22 AM
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I realize that the schedule is dictated by other events, but I can tell you now, the reason that I don't have season tickets is because of the number of weekday games. I'm not a 'casual fan'... but this season, because of the amount of weekday games, I can't justify buying season tickets.
I live 40/45 minutes away...and by the time my wife gets home from work during the day, because she works 'in town', there isn't enough time to get to the arena by game time from our house during the week. |
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BP2011
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
531 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 11:20:51 AM
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| I think that the team would get more weeknight attendance if the media would stop covering losers mention winners everyday. I think they did have more weeknight attendance last year then 06-07/07-08 minus of course the two games with snow emergencies |
08, 10 Kelly Cup Champions
08, 10, 14 American Conference Champions
08, 09, 13 North Division Champions
08 Brabham Cup Champions |
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CincinnatiFan
(The Next Level!)
USA
288 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 8:12:07 PM
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 Yes I think we hit a nerve. I understand the logic but I am with HOCKEYgod in saying that I would love to have season tickets but there is no way I can do that many weekday games.
There is something to be said for change what you can and don't sweat the things you can't change. I will continue to see as many games as reasonably possible and listen when possible on the days I can't attend. Hopefully USBA will agree that the attendance is sufficient to keep this team in place for many years to come.
LETS GO CY-CLONES! |
Get Clones instead of Clunkers.
Cincinnati Cyclones
League Champs 2008 and 2010.
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somebeach
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1224 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2009 : 5:18:56 PM
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If interested, the promotional schedule is out...
http://www.cycloneshockey.com/team-news/cyclones-announce-09-10-promotional-schedule |
What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
ZINGER!!!!! |
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Buckeye011
(The Next Level!)
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2009 : 4:37:17 PM
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| I agree with you HockeyGod...I was hopeful that this year would be the year I could finally be a STH, however, Im doing 18 (the max) credit hours at UC, and most of my class are are at night, cuz I work during the day. I guess I'll just find a way to get down, do the usual walk-up on my ticket purchase, and hope some of these cool dates like the throwback jersey night arent on school nights :( |
Loyal Cyclones fan since 1993 |
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Randy
(The Next Level!)
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2009 : 10:49:02 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Buckeye011
I agree with you HockeyGod...I was hopeful that this year would be the year I could finally be a STH, however, Im doing 18 (the max) credit hours at UC, and most of my class are are at night, cuz I work during the day. I guess I'll just find a way to get down, do the usual walk-up on my ticket purchase, and hope some of these cool dates like the throwback jersey night arent on school nights :(
It's college... if there is a special game that you cannot miss just tell the professor you won't be able to attend the class.
I don't mind the schedule. Just come to as many games as you can, it's not going to end your life if you have to miss one of the games. |
Cyclones Fan, Win or Lose
Bengals Fan - Never! |
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