by Dryden29 » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:15 am
As a member of the media, the two rink tournament not on the same site was very difficult. As a hockey fan it was even worse, and if I was still a player, it was a tourney that lost all of its atmosphere that it used to have. The players used to be part of the aura and the atmosphere of the tourney, even if they won their first game or lost it. Now they are packing their bags and heading over to Purpur to "never be seen again" From the penthouse to the outhouse. The Ralph has been said to be the only place to play the state, and not too many disagree. SO PLAY IT THERE. Use the olympic rink.
The tourney also forced the girls to play their title game at 11 in the morning. Who wants to play for a title at that time????? And the championship was done hours before they even played for 3rd and 5th.
One previous post said that the Sioux in town was a bonus for the tourney fans, that we should go and see them. Well, we can't when our team is playing at the same time at Purpur. If that bonus game is in town, let everyone have a chance to go to it then.
As a media member, the lack of wireless internet and lack of counter space in the press box was horid. For someone that has to cover games at both rinks, and send stories in every two hours or so, I had to drive over the bridge to a motel parking lot to get a signal to send, or drive all the way to the Ralph to do it. 12 0f 22 games were played at Purpur, so you better have the accomodations that are needed.