Cup Finals

[tommy]

Pay attention to the question; not what you think will happen, or even WANT to happen; what will be best for the game? In terms of ratings, good hockey, exciting series, etc.

[Stormbringer]

Gotta go with Ottawa vs. Anaheim...though IMO, Ottawa vs. Minnesota could be helpful too. Either one would of course have a Canadian team versus an American team, and it would definitely help viewership to have both American and Canadian viewers. But, I think where Anaheim would have Minnesota beat is quite possibly having more fans...plus the range between Anaheim and Ottawa is considerably larger than Minnesota.

[tommy]

I put New Jersey vs. Anaheim. Here are four of my reasons.

1) Cross-country series could play a role.
2) New Jersey's familiar faces and style will keep casual fans interested.
3) Anaheim's Cinderalla story will bring in new fans, and renew the interest of longtime NHL followers.
4) Can you say goalie-battle?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Great poll tommy but I'm not voting and here's why....as far as good hockey, exciting series and good for the game I think any of them would be great! They are all (except NJ) underdogs (or in Ottawa's case teams who usually blow up in the playoffs) who were not expected to be there and I'll even throw Jersey in that a little because no matter what that poor team does they can't seem to get any fans. I think any of those matchups SHOULD be good for the game and great hockey but probably NONE of them will be good for ratings.

The masses have their idiotic (IMO) views that they don't care now that their team is out, that defensive hockey sucks, that low scoring games suck. I've seen people say that they considered the 3 and 4 OT games to be a complete bore because that is like a whole other game with no scoring. The NJ/Wild would be an amazing defensive spectacle, which the masses do not consider good hockey. I think that's ridiculous because that IS hockey! Scoring is not all there is to the game. What happens between the goals is the game itself.

So, what I'm basically saying is I think that a SCF with two underdog teams is great for the game and great hockey but the majority of the rest of the world doesn't seem to feel that way.

/rant

[Kat]

I am saying Ottawa vs. Minnesota because of the cross-country thing (been mentioned), and because Minnesota a) is only a few years old and this is good for an expansion team, b) definitely has a bigger fan base, and c) is probably a better hockey market than Anaheim or NJ and might get better ratings because of that.

Stats to back this up: Minnesota has perfect home attendance (sells out every game). NJ was 25th in attendance in the NHL in 2002-2003, with an average almost 5,000 below capacity. Anaheim was right below them. So Anaheim and NJ are in the bottom ten, Minnesota is in the top ten (#1 on percent filled with 102.4), and Ottawa is right in the middle. Add the cross country plus attendance numbers, and you get Ottawa vs. Minnesota.

Now, one might argue that it should be Anaheim vs. NJ to *help* their attendance next year, but I would still argue against NJ since they have been in the finals and won cups over the past 5-10 years and it hasn't helped them much. Anyhow, both those teams lose out over the other teams in their general area (Rangers, Islanders, Phillies, Sharks, Kings).

Just my $.02.

-Kat

[nccanes]

The masses have their idiotic (IMO) views that they don't care now that their team is out, that defensive hockey sucks, that low scoring games suck. I've seen people say that they considered the 3 and 4 OT games to be a complete bore because that is like a whole other game with no scoring. The NJ/Wild would be an amazing defensive spectacle, which the masses do not consider good hockey. I think that's ridiculous because that IS hockey! Scoring is not all there is to the game. What happens between the goals is the game itself.

So, what I'm basically saying is I think that a SCF with two underdog teams is great for the game and great hockey but the majority of the rest of the world doesn't seem to feel that way.

/rant

Funny SHC. Just this morning we were at a donut store and the man in front of us had a Canes Tshirt on. The guy behind the counter said something like "well the Canes didn't make the playoffs, but are you watching the games?". The man was quick to respond "nope, if the Canes aren't in it - I'm not watching".

I think that illustrates what the underdog/nonunderdog issue is. Having underdogs go far in the playoffs is great for their local market and bottom line, but not necessarily great from the big dollar TV market. Both are important, but in different ways.

So I included NJ in my matchup for the Nat'l audience stuff and Anahiem as the underdog. There's a better story there I suppose, and since Disney/ABC owns them, it'll make ABC/ESPN happy....

On a personal note, while I love hockey and will withstand some multi-overtime games, I really don't think 3 add'l periods w/o scoring is good for the game with the frequency they seem to have occured this season.

[tommy]

First of all, that's unfortunate that people aren't watching if the Canes aren't in it. Watching these games increases your overall hockey knowledge, lets you see the opponents that the Canes face regularly, learn about different players, and gain more enthusiasm for the games overall.

About the multi-OT games, I admit, sometimes they can be boring, but tons of the OT games have been fast-paced, even in OT. If you leave the room for 30 seconds to get a drink, you could miss back and forth odd-man rushes. And you're guaranteed to see a goal if you watch the OT! The last shot wins! At least I enjoy them a lot, not sure what your opinions are here.

[nccanes]

At least I enjoy them a lot, not sure what your opinions are here.

I enjoy them. I just don't know if it's good for the game. People end up leaving the games early (I'm sure mostly for logistical reasons) when they've paid good money attend, so I'm certain the non-paying TV people can't or don't always hang in there. Or like me, are unable to keep their eyes open that long some nights.

[tommy]

That's true... just look in the stands during that 5OT game... they replayed it the other day, and at the end of the game, the arena was at about 40 percent capacity. TONS of empty seats. And I'm sure lots of people tuned out while at home.

But that was extreme... the OT and 2OT games are thrilling... I'll admit that after 3, it gets old, and may not be best for new fans. (or even more experienced fans, at that.)

[talkingcanes]

That's true... just look in the stands during that 5OT game... they replayed it the other day, and at the end of the game, the arena was at about 40 percent capacity. TONS of empty seats. And I'm sure lots of people tuned out while at home.

But that was extreme... the OT and 2OT games are thrilling... I'll admit that after 3, it gets old, and may not be best for new fans. (or even more experienced fans, at that.)

Part of the problem IMO is if the games that go 3-5 OT's are not on Friday or Saturday, then "real life" comes into play. I am fortunate enough to have some flexibility in my work schedule, but not everyone does. And if you have children, even weekend games that go multiple OT's are hard.

That said, I wouldn't be able to drag myself away till it's over and I don't want playoff games decided by a shootout.

And all sports have things that make it difficult to care about if you're not already a fan such as the last 3 minutes of a basketball game taking 20 minutes because of all the timeouts even in a lost cause :roll:

[tommy]

Well the thing is, they can't start games at 4 on weekdays, "just in case" they go into quadruple overtime. Sometimes its just unlucky that the games stretch so long on school/work nights. Do they do 4-on-4 OT's in the playoffs? Believe it or not, I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure it's actually 5 on 5. Maybe 4-on-4 in the playoffs would end games quicker, like in the regular season.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

It's 5-on-5 in the playoffs. The way I see it.....they only do this OT thing for a few weeks every year during the playoffs and I can hack it just fine for that short of a period of time when things are that important. But I admit I have had a hard time staying awake for a couple games this week (even without the OT...just the West coast games). And I also admit I'm far more fanatical about it that the average person so the fact that I say I can hack it probably doesn't say much about the rest of the planet.

[talkingcanes]

Well the thing is, they can't start games at 4 on weekdays, "just in case" they go into quadruple overtime. Sometimes its just unlucky that the games stretch so long on school/work nights.

I'm not suggesting they should. Just my thoughts on why the arenas empty out during very long games. I know you can't plan on multi-OT games, except maybe during these playoffs since they seem to be the norm ;)

"It's 5-on-5 in the playoffs. The way I see it.....they only do this OT thing for a few weeks every year during the playoffs and I can hack it just fine for that short of a period of time when things are that important. But I admit I have had a hard time staying awake for a couple games this week (even without the OT...just the West coast games). And I also admit I'm far more fanatical about it that the average person so the fact that I say I can hack it probably doesn't say much about the rest of the planet."

I'm with you SHC. I didn't make it through some of the long late night games though so I could try to function at work. But I don't have children to get to school either. If it had been the Canes playing though, I wouldn't have missed a minute no matter how late it gets :spin:

[Turbulence]

I say Ottawa vs. Anaheim. First of all, while New Jersey plays a good brand of defensive hockey, it's like watching paint dry. New fans need to be exposed to fast skating teams like Anaheim and Ottawa (not exactlythe definition of a finesse team, but the only feasable option from the Eastern Conference)-they want to see scoring, not skating around. There'd be more of that in a ANA-OTT series. Though us hockey fans know a 1-0 game can be just as, if not more, exciting than a 9-8 game, a new fan will want to see the excitement of playoff scoring.
The Canada-US factor also plays a part in the reemergence of Canadian hockey power, and it could boost ratings here in the States with a Cinderella team with a chance of the championship, as well as the prospect of an Anaheim double.
Minnesota would give a good run at it as well...but I see Anaheim as being better as far as expanding the fan base...which is clearly what is needed after seeing the ratings playoff hockey has been getting this year.

[tommy]

Well the thing is, they can't start games at 4 on weekdays, "just in case" they go into quadruple overtime. Sometimes its just unlucky that the games stretch so long on school/work nights.

I'm not suggesting they should. Just my thoughts on why the arenas empty out during very long games. I know you can't plan on multi-OT games, except maybe during these playoffs since they seem to be the norm ;)

Oh I know that. :D I'm just kinda thinking out loud.

[Lady J]

I voted for NJ vs Anaheim, because the goalie battle that would ensue would absolutely rock.

I'll say no more.

[RIO]

I'm going to go with Jersey vs. Anaheim (though my trick fingers clicked NJ vs. Minn..... *facepalm* ) :D

[CaniacKikiBB13]

I went with Anaheim and New Jersey...though I'd rather have ottawa play in the finals than jersey