2018 U Sports Playoffs/University Cup (Fredericton, NB)

[RED ARMY EAST]

If Lethbridge host 2019 Nationals.
They would most likely open against an AUS opponent, in which would be 1 of the two teams that will play for the AUS championship. That's reality, so they will need to improve to have a legitimate shot at advancing to Saturdays semi's. Can't see them in next years CanadaWest final, which will put them in the 7-8 seeding position. Opening Friday night vs Thursday would be wise!

 

[hockeyinsiderusports]

If Lethbridge host 2019 Nationals.
They would most likely open against an AUS opponent, in which would be 1 of the two teams that will play for the AUS championship. That's reality, so they will need to improve to have a legitimate shot at advancing to Saturdays semi's. Can't see them in next years CanadaWest final, which will put them in the 7-8 seeding position. Opening Friday night vs Thursday would be wise![/QUOT

 

[hockeyinsiderusports]

Agree with you, therefore Jan 19 buffer is key for Leithbridge to host nationals however I’ve been told notification email went out And it’s down to Acadia/Leithbridge which make sense and doesn’t at same time. (Financial makes sense for Leithbridge/doesn’t make sense as team not competitive enough)

Would Leithbridge even rank in top 20 Teams in Men’s Usport Hockey this year

However, potential growth of Usports Hockey might benefit Leithbridge bid

 

[AUS Fan]

4 games to start the 2nd half are against UofS and MRU. They lost to these teams in the 1st half. I don't need to see these games to know they are not very good. I realize that the hosting is a year from now and that may help recruiting.

 

[AUS Fan]

If I had vote, I go with Acadia in 2019 and 2020 for Leithbridge- reasons for Leithbridge in 2020 is two year buffer to recruit elite student athletes

I think push back till Jan 19 is to see what Leithbridge does on ice

As previously mentioned, there is the possibility of Halifax getting Memorial Cup in 2019 which would severely impact sponsorship money for U-Cup.

 

[Hollywood3]

I don't mind seeing a weak team host the nationals. IMO the host is an illegitimate participant anyhow. If they get whipped by the #1 seed from outside their conference, fine.

Fact is, the AUS, Thunder Bay, Edmonton, and Saskatoon are the only places that could guarantee crowds. The rest are a gamble.

So why not try to spread the U brand?

 

[hockeyinsiderusports]

I understand your logic however weak team that is rank 4 or 5th in their own conference will only hurt UCup from USport/Hockey standpoint.

I agree 100% with crowd comment

If it’s financial only decision choose highest bidder and move on regardless of team record

 

[Rob]

I don't mind seeing a weak team host the nationals. IMO the host is an illegitimate participant anyhow. If they get whipped by the #1 seed from outside their conference, fine.

Fact is, the AUS, Thunder Bay, Edmonton, and Saskatoon are the only places that could guarantee crowds. The rest are a gamble.

So why not try to spread the U brand?

I'm okay if they chose a weaker host as long as it is just for one year.

 

[Hollywood3]

I'm okay if they chose a weaker host as long as it is just for one year.

I don't like the 2-year hosting rule. Maybe host twice within 3-5 years.

 

[cishockeyfan]

I don't mind seeing a weak team host the nationals. IMO the host is an illegitimate participant anyhow. If they get whipped by the #1 seed from outside their conference, fine.

Fact is, the AUS, Thunder Bay, Edmonton, and Saskatoon are the only places that could guarantee crowds. The rest are a gamble.

So why not try to spread the U brand?

I 100% agree with Hollywood, The Host doesn't have to be a superior team. If they are bad, the 1st round isnt broadcast on National TV so no harm done. On the Other hand I would argue that a team such as Lethbridge, Regina, Dalhousie and Moncton would give one of the OUA division winners a very competitive game.

Of course the Canada West Conference would also feature 3 teams in total, so good draws could come from as close as Alberta, Calgary, MRU.

I feel that making an effort to spread this tournament around once in a while strengthens the league, not weakens it. its a chance to possibly make Lethbridges program stronger and attract much needed new CIS Hockey fans. I find hockey fans who have never seen a CIS game live, usually downplay it as a beer league or irrelevant. Once they see it live they understand its not like that. I still have friends in Fredericton, that have never been to a UNB game, but are huge hockey fans and dont give it a chance. they'd rather travel to see the Wildcats or Sea Dogs.

 

[cishockeyfan]

The Only Bad scenario that can happen, would be a empty looking crowd for a National Final on TV, but that could happen to other host as well not just Lethbridge. Their arena seats 5,479 that wont be hard to make it look at least fairly full. at worst case if its an all OUA and/or AUS final, donate the game tickets to local, schools, minor hockey teams

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

Indeed. Sask had two one-goal wins over Regina last weekend, and Regina are last. Whomever advances to the semi-finals will be much tougher.

Holly, has there been any talk or interest in Manitoba hosting this event. If Sask and Edmonton can host, why not the Bisons, in the peg??

 

[Hollywood3]

Holly, has there been any talk or interest in Manitoba hosting this event. If Sask and Edmonton can host, why not the Bisons, in the peg??

None. It could happen if the University and Jets get together on it. Maybe as a trial for a World Junior.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

On the Other hand I would argue that a team such as Lethbridge, Regina, Dalhousie and Moncton would give one of the OUA division winners a very competitive game.

I think you are underrating the top OUA teams here. I think the top OUA teams can compete with the other top programs, but unfortunately we don't always get to see the truly best OUA teams at the UCup due to the nature of their conference playoffs (2 out of 3) producing upsets.

The OUA-west leading Ryerson - with Dupuis in net - just showed that they can hang with UNB for long stretches. I don't think I would put them on the same level as UNB/St. FX, but they are closer to those two than UPEI/Moncton/Dalhousie IMO. They are probably pretty comparable to SMU/Acadia.

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

Where will it go??
Acadia or Lethbridge, we will find out friday.
UNB to open U Cup on Thursday night.

 

[hockeyinsiderusports]

I expect Acadia 2019 & Leithbridge 2020

 

[Rob]

I expect Acadia 2019 & Leithbridge 2020

That would make the most sense. Give Lethbridge another year to build up.

 

[Drummer]

That would make the most sense. Give Lethbridge another year to build up.

Yup

 

[Drummer]

Yesterday's announcement from UQTR hopefully won't put a damper on USPORTS bid announcement scheduled for today.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Sounds like the announcement isn’t coming today either. Get it together U Sports, jeez....

 

[AUS Fan]

Those who propose Acadia 2019 are forgetting the possibility of the Memorial Cup in Halifax. That would be a blow to sponsorship for the U-Cup.

 

[AUS Fan]

Sounds like the announcement isn’t coming today either. Get it together U Sports, jeez....

It's other sports that are the hold up, not Hockey. But, I agree with your sentiment.....

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

I am sure all the schools involved would appreciate knowing ASAP. At this point the school that gets it won’t have much more than a year to put everything together.

 

[Rob]

So its going to be Lethbridge hosting in 2019 and Acadia in 2020. Best of luck to Lethbridge in their recruiting effort this offseason.

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

They will need it, just got waxed 8-1 by Alberta last night.
They would have been better suited to host in 2020.