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Post by mlh01 on May 3, 2024 10:16:50 GMT -5
Now continuing on that:
1) Yes promotion could have been better. Advertise all season. Issue was they couldn't. The tournament and participants (or lack thereof) was not finalized until new year.
2) Stoney Creek does not have a good fan base like Dundas. They did not bring in the crowds like say Cambridge or Brantford did for road games.
Next year should be much better attended. Tournament is already announced. Innisfail has 12 full months to advertise and put bums in seats.
I guarantee when it comes back to Ontario in 3-4 years, and Senior hockey is on better footing the crowds will be better
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Post by mlh01 on May 3, 2024 10:12:53 GMT -5
Where were all the fans, only game with a crowd was the Champiomship game ? If Dundas was not in the Champ game, would there still be a crowd ? The hockey was great,,playoffs did not help. All tournaments are like that. Home team or home country gets larger crowds. Watch the Mens World championship next week. Or any World Junior tournament. If in Canada and Latvia is playing Austria, how many fans will be there? Very few It was same here in Dundas. When Southern Shore plays Innisfail, there weren't as many in the seats as the Dundas games.
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Post by mlh01 on Apr 27, 2024 18:37:52 GMT -5
Dundas wins second consecutive Allan Cup. First team to win back to back in 30 years !
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Post by mlh01 on Apr 25, 2024 15:18:44 GMT -5
Wednesday Southern Shore Breakers 2 Innisfail Eagles 0
Dundas Real McCoys 3 Stoney Creek Tigers 2
Thursday is day off for tournament
Dundas finishes first and receives bye to Allan Cup Championship on Saturday
Southern Shore vs Stoney Creek Tigers play in Semifinals on Friday
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Post by mlh01 on Apr 22, 2024 16:48:28 GMT -5
Yep, agree, anything can happen. Looking forward to tonight. McCoys haven't played a team that hits like Innisfail since....well...last year when they played Innisfail LOL
Ontario ACH needs to find a way to increase intensity during the season.
If all games were like last night, or even close, crowds would return in droves. Non-contact hockey just doesn't sell
Should be a good one tonight
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Post by mlh01 on Apr 22, 2024 8:51:31 GMT -5
After watching both opening games live:
Stoney Creek looks to be strongest team all around. Good goaltending. Good positional play. Roll their lines well. Likely my pick.
Innisfail plays physical game. Most hitting we have seen all year in Ontario. But like previous Alberta teams they lack top-end talent. Bentley would win on heart. I can say, imo, Innisfail has the heart for sure. But I feel will fall short.
Newfoundland struggled positionally and on special teams. Had tough time setting up on PP. But same as Innisfail, those guys want to win.
Last, host Dundas. Have the best high end talent (as they always do). Issue is icing a full team with the better players coming out. MVP Goalie Mike Mole out for year as is his backup Davies. Missing Mackenzie Wood is huge. Chris Campoli, Brad Bonello, Darren Haydar, etc and the supporting cast need to play perfect games if they want to advance. Hearing Campoli may not play next 2 games. As mentioned this years MVP Wood is stuck in the States. And Haydar has only played a handful of games this year.
My pick is Stoney
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Post by mlh01 on Apr 3, 2024 20:21:55 GMT -5
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Post by mlh01 on Mar 24, 2024 18:59:52 GMT -5
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Post by mlh01 on Mar 13, 2024 16:42:03 GMT -5
Only centres I heard that could potentially look at 2025 are the 2 Alberta teams. Would be great to get the tournament out West again
Also, I am curious if AA teams will be allowed to enter in their regions. I am thinking they would need to meet certain criteria- ie financial commitment, elevated roster talent that can compete at the AAA level, etc
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Post by mlh01 on Mar 12, 2024 18:18:54 GMT -5
Is it actually this years Newfoundland champion not last years champion Last years champion…. This is how Newfoundland, in the modern era, has always handled it. Gives the team ample time to raise expenses. North Shore Breakers is what I have heard.
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Post by mlh01 on Mar 12, 2024 9:05:44 GMT -5
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Post by mlh01 on Mar 9, 2024 17:59:46 GMT -5
Tournament confirmed now to be full week long. Original plan was start on weekend and have a mid week championship.
Will be 4 team tournament starting either Fri Apr 19 or Sat Apr 20. Championship game following Saturday Apr 27
Teams that I heard are confirmed:
NFLD - South Shore Breakers
ON - Dundas Real McCoys (Host)
ON - Winner or highest seed between Stoney Creek and Wentworth (currently both teams with 2 wins in round robin. If they finish 1-2 they will play best of 5 championship. Otherwise if either team finishes 3rd, then other team gains auto entry. Championship against Dundas wouldnt mean anything
ALB - Winner of Innisfail vs Stony Plain. Innisfail leading 1 game to 0 in best of 5
Looking forward to a great week of Allan Cup AAA hockey !!
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Post by mlh01 on Mar 5, 2024 20:16:45 GMT -5
I will reply on a few of these posts:
1). Years ago teams did chip in a nominal amount to declare AAA. The difference is there were 20+ teams each year. Everyone wanted to declare AAA. Costs were no where near where they are today. Inflation on airfair, accommodations, not to mention even the crazy cost of sticks and skates (which back in the day most teams bought for the players) has meant that the cost of running a AAA team has skyrocketed. Asking for more money now is a deterrent. To me, sponsorship is the only way to allow the Allan Cup to return to where it should be. Not talking huge cash. But a few major sponsors to pay the way to the Cup. If travel and hotels are paid, I honestly feel the floodgates would open for teams to move from AA to AAA
2) Golden Horseshoe general area is about 8 mil now. Yes. However within an hour of Toronto you have about 12 mil. So even more of an advantage for Ontario. Newfoundland MUST add players or they cannot compete. It always has been the case.
3). Announcement. I expect an announcement this week. I think they are just finalizing participation.
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Post by mlh01 on Feb 25, 2024 10:54:02 GMT -5
Ironic thing is Clarenville knocked out South Shore last night in the Avalon League 2024 playoffs.
Reason Newfoundland always sent the previous years winner was it gives the team a full year to fund raise. Travelling from the Rock to anywhere for a full team is quite expensive. And we all know how little support Hockey Canada provides financially to Senior hockey. Not sure when this was decided but hoping moving forward they permanently go back to sending the previous years champion.
The yearly hope is that Hockey Canada recognizes the importance of Senior hockey. Senior AAA Allows players to continue playing at a very high level. It should be supported in the same manor that Major Junior is supported !!
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Post by mlh01 on Feb 25, 2024 10:48:05 GMT -5
Hearing Clarenville will not be representing Newfoundland. Going back to the old formula. Rumour is the South Shore Breakers, winner of the 2023 Herder Cup (Newfoundland’s famous and long running Senior hockey championship) will be making the trip down to Allan Cup in Dundas.
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