WINTER Nationals??

[GoRangrHky]

Any word on this? Back to Key West? With some more advance notice, perhaps more teams could get in this year...

[MBurke]

http://www.ncrha.org/article.php?article_id=51851

No formal date announced, but they're in Key West for sure and it IS happening.

[Army Defense]

ive decided that everyone should poke rob on facebook until he releases the information.. word on the street is games start either jan 3 or 4th and run to the 6th or 7th, but the sooner they actually release the info, the cheaper it is for everyone

[WCRHL]

The NCRHA Winterfest 2008 is on! Rob is working on an article as we speak. The invoice has been updated on the NCRHA Documents section. Cost is $550 per team, due by December 15th. The event dates are January 3-5, 2008. Keep in mind that is a Thursday through Saturday. Actual schedule will depend on the number of teams registered. Once again this event is open to all interested NCRHA Member Teams. To register, contact Rob at [email protected] and download the invoice at www.ncrha.org/documents.php, the invoice is the last item at the bottom of the page.

Look for more information to follow at www.ncrha.org!

--
Brennan Edwards
Executive Director, NCRHA
www.ncrha.org
League Director, WCRHL
www.wcrhl.com

[boring]

how many teams showed up for this last year...4? what a joke, if i went all the way to key west i would hope for a little more competition.

[WCRHL]

From what I heard, the 4 teams loved playing in this event. It is an open competition, playing hockey while on a vacation. What better place to be than Key West in early January?

[obtrice45]

I reccomend all teams to go to Winternationals. Our team did it and it was the funnest and most laid back tournament of the season. We are fortunate to live just west of Miami only 2 1/2- 3 hour drive to key west. If your team has the funds for it you should definitely sign up. Rob did a great job last year putting it together. Hope to see more teams there this time.

[William Bourque]

The biggest issue most teams face is this...

Key West = $$$$ X 10

Nationals = $$$$ X 5

Should teams risk nationals funding for funding to go to Key West...Flights into Miami, Rental Vans and Hotels for multiple days is extremely expensive....

So teams that are out of driving range...(85% of the teams)...are at a loss on how to afford the trip, even if its planned 2 months ahead of time.

[GoRangrHky]

Yeah, what seemed to be the big reason for teams not going last year was the late notice and not enough time to get the cheap flights booked. With plenty of lead time this year, I'd expect to see quite a few more.

[William Bourque]

Yeah, what seemed to be the big reason for teams not going last year was the late notice and not enough time to get the cheap flights booked. With plenty of lead time this year, I'd expect to see quite a few more.

Even with the additional days to book, flights are still extremely expensive, rental vans and multiple hotel days in Key West is still out of most teams price range...

[cfern023]

Having 4 people per hotel room is expensive....cramming everybody into three rooms is cheaper.

20 bucks a head for hotel for a weekend worked out wonderfully for us. It was indeed a great trip. Nice town, and hotels are litterally a mile from the rink.

If you really had to, you can rent one van, take two trips, and have the entire there in 15 mins.

Even better is invading Key West as a team and seeing other teams "Roller Blading" through the main streets....

Was it Missouri-Rolla who did that?

Chris

[William Bourque]

How much where hotels when you went there...

[William Bourque]

If you really had to, you can rent one van, take two trips, and have the entire there in 15 mins.


Also, i can get the entire team in Hotels, Rental Cars, and Flights to Miami then flying directly into Key West and having one rental car...

[Army Defense]

[quote=cfern023;39986
Even better is invading Key West as a team and seeing other teams "Roller Blading" through the main streets....

Was it Missouri-Rolla who did that?

[/quote]


yea, and about 6 total from army and CU

as far as money goes, 4 rooms for 4 nights, flights for 15, and 2 vans cost about 9 grand last year. all the teams stayed at the days inn, but there are 3-4 other hotels right next door

[WCRHL]

The announcement has been made on www.ncrha.org. Check it out!

Please email Rob Coggin, NCRHA Director of League Operations and Officiating at [email protected] to register or to answer any questions you may have.

[GodBless]

The biggest issue most teams face is this...

I disagree. The biggest issue teams really face is the possibility of not just spending the money to go down there to play **** teams at a **** facility, but also then having that interregional play hurt them when it comes to Nationals time. If teams were smart, they would stay away from anything that has to do with interregional play so their league leaders can continue to claim that each team is awesome and therefore a **** team below .500 can still make Nationals.

- Praise the Lord

[William Bourque]

I guess you're right.

[William Bourque]

There is also the other viewpoint. That teams should travel and play interregional games so that something like that doesn't happen. And tournaments like the one in Key West gives teams the opportunity to prevent such things.

However, most teams are contempt with letting seven people vote, who only see a small percentage (15%) of the teams and determine who is the superior team. Any team that is willing to let a committee determine where they stand, without attempting to prove where they stand deserves what they get.

Fair Enough?


Finally, if you play a ____ team and beat that _____ team, how could it possibly hurt you?

[Army Defense]

i'm guessing that he is referencing a ____ team being Army and a non- ___ team being FIU who fell to #9 after beating us in OT during the championship game.
well, it would help to point out that we took our 15 best players from a 27 man roster (the only time we would get this 15 all season for various restrictions that west point has for cadets "in danger of failing"). So, for us to play that competitive, we weren't really a _____ team all season like the records showed, we just happened to run into various restrictions over the year like we seem to always do. In my opinion, it isn't really going to matter how teams do in Key West, all that is going to matter is how teams finish their regular season and at regionals. I'm confident that the nationals board knows how enough of the big name teams are such as Lindenwood and StonyBrook, and that they will be able to make the right decisions for nationals based on team records and how they did against other "worthy" national contenders. playing in a cross-region event shouldn't be treated any different than a normal game, we all play for fun and we all play to win. if anyone truely believes that a below .500 team is "worthy" of nationals, then they seriously need a reality check, because that would require all the teams above them in the league to get bids as well, exponentually increasing the number of teams, games, and ultimately costs of the tournament, which goes back to the first arguement as to why teams aren't going to key west.
The bottom line is that teams who feel the need to avoid inter-region play prior to nationals for any reason other than costs probably shouldn't be going to nationals in the first place...

[GodBless]

I wasn't referencing anyone specifically. But, no offense, I'm not going to travel down to Key West to play you.

But the problem with interregional play isn't just about losing to teams you perhaps shouldn't have. But they can also take into consideration what the score was. So let's say the last bid is between you and x, and your records are the same. And you beat team y 3-2 while they beat them 8-2. They beat the team at Winternationals, and the other team couldn't bring all their guys down to Key West. But that's not taken into consideration.

It's not just about losing; it can be winning, too.

Like I said, if teams were smart, they would opt-out of Winternationals if they think getting in could be tight.

- God shines His light on thee.

[alawrence]

its not winter nationals - its winter fest. its supposed to be fun - less about winning and loosing and more about having a good time with your teammates on a beach and being able to play some hockey.

Also, These games aren't considered when it comes to the national bids either. that ended when we took away the invitational part of the event. The whole season isn't about nationals to every team in the league guys. This tourny is about everyone, not just the lucky few that are able make it to nationals every year.

Again its a tournament for FUN - you know, the whole reason we all picked up a stick in the first place.

[cfern023]

I just want to say to armydefense, that GodBless is not a part of FIU hockey.

Playing army was actually competitive last year for us. Not only did they work hard together, they knocked me out of the game twice... although I had the flu before.

It was competitive, and extremely fun.

It isn't meant as a Win-Loss type of tournament with a true champion...its a competive competition to enjoy yourselfs and have some fun. FIU may have won the Championship, but we really enjoyed the time we spent down there. The championship was a consolation prize.

Not only that, but it got some local press coverage, AND the locals showed up in the hundreds. I actually think ARMY was cheered for the loudest over us and we were the home team.

Seriously, I would recommend it.

Oh, and GodBless.... Praise the Lord ---> AND PASS THE AMMUNITION!!!

Chris

[GodBless]

Screw the ammo, I'll bite your head off with my lizard face.

[UMRminer12]

I would highly recommend goin down to Key West if you have the means to do so. I've been around for 5 seasons and it was the most fun I've ever had at a college hockey tournament. We're already signed up to go back and are plannin to either go down a few days early or stay late cause we had such a good time last year. The rink owner is like the chief of Police, got his cell number the first day we were down there, so it was smooth sailing. And yes, skating in the streets is a good time...

[Army Defense]

I would highly recommend goin down to Key West if you have the means to do so. I've been around for 5 seasons and it was the most fun I've ever had at a college hockey tournament. We're already signed up to go back and are plannin to either go down a few days early or stay late cause we had such a good time last year. The rink owner is like the chief of Police, got his cell number the first day we were down there, so it was smooth sailing. And yes, skating in the streets is a good time...

As are we, question is, is the cowboy hat going to make its return to the rink?

[cfern023]

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4367/mizmt3.jpg

Woot Woot, I have the original larger and uncropped pics of those two photos if you guys from Colorado and Missouri want it. PM me your email address.

Chris (Yellow Snow Angel)

[hockeymonkey44]

we went to key west last year and it was a BLAST!!! it was the highlight of our year and college for most of us. we are going back this year (colorado). i recomend if u can go!!!!!

[cfern023]

Will you guys be bringing those beautiful beach bunnies who also check with you?

Those girls were cute!!!

Wait a second, I think one of them wore 44, lol.

Chris

[hockeymonkey44]

haha yea the girls say they are coming. yea ashley wears 44 it has always been my number but she wanted it and me being th gentleman i am i gave it to her. 66 is growin on me though.

[obtrice45]

Any news on what teams are going to Winterfest? Or any news on hotel discounts like last year?

[WCRHL]

So far, the teams registered are Missouri Rolla, Army and Colorado. We have received interest from several other schools as well. The registration deadline is December 10th, so we still have a week for teams to figure out if they would like to participate. Registration is open to as many teams as wish to play in this event.

Once again, for the info posted last month:
http://ncrha.org/article.php?article_id=52009

[Army Defense]

i think that this year there should be some kind of coconut shaped trophy

[obtrice45]

Who is the contact person? I sent an email to the one listed on the article and never got a response. I told him FIU would be playing again this year. Looks like its gonna be a rematch from last year.

I think the trophy should be a conch not a coconut. A conch is more "Key West", while a coconut represents any tropical location (the beach, Hawaii, the Carribean, etc).

[WCRHL]

The contact is Rob Coggin (and myself). Email us at [email protected] and [email protected] Also you can contact Rob via phone at 719 331 7344 or myself at 310 753 7285.

The invoice is online at www.ncrha.org under the NCRHA Docs section. There is a paypal option available as well.

I think Rob knew you guys were interested, but said he had not heard from you lately. My previous post only reflected teams whose payment had been received.

Thanks!!!

Brennan

[Army Defense]

I think the trophy should be a conch not a coconut. A conch is more "Key West", while a coconut represents any tropical location (the beach, Hawaii, the Carribean, etc).


fair enough, the only reason i said a coconut was because of CU's little friend Pat..

[WCRHL]

Today, December 10th, is listed as the final day for registration for the NCRHA Winterfest!!! Please act quickly to get registered for the event! Email both Rob Coggin and Brennan Edwards at [email protected] and [email protected] immediately to reserve your spot. Spots are still available.

There is a paypal option available to expedite your payment and confirm your participation that much faster. It is available in the NCRHA Docs section of www.ncrha.org, click on NCRHA Docs and click on the Pay Via Paypal link just under the invoice.

Thanks!

[hockeymonkey44]

so who all registered? who is actually going?

[hockeymonkey44]

looks like we got 5 teams this year!

[WCRHL]

Yes, 5 teams this year. All 4 from last year's event are returning, and the 5th team is actually a group of people from Key West, not necessarily college players, that will be playing in non-tournament games. So the tournament itself will be held with the same 4 teams as last year, and each team will play one game against the Key West team.

The schedule is posted online at www.ncrha.org.

The teams have plenty of time to have fun while out there!!!

[hockeymonkey44]

yes we will have plenty of time! colorado will be down there on the 1st and not leaving til the 7th!

[GodBless]

All 4 from last year's event are returning, and the 5th team is actually a group of people from Key West, not necessarily college players, that will be playing in non-tournament games.
Wow.. that's like Mighty Ducks and Cool Runnings put together.

[sh105]

Here is an article from the Key West News about the Winter Tournament.

http://keysnews.com/317015788312146.bsp.htm

[WCRHL]

Scores are up for last night's and this morning's games. Right now Army and Missouri-Rolla are facing off! Both teams are 1-0 at this point in the tournament standings, so this may be a matchup that repeats itself in the finals! (Games against the Key West team do not count towards tournament standings)

For schedule are results:
http://ncrha.org/schedule.php?event_id=774

[madfred]

i'm surprised they know the score of a game. I was expecting by the end of January they would tell us where winter nationals was going to be located last year.

[stopthetrain]

rule of thumb is to never trust anyone with 2 first names, i.e., a first name as a last name. usually is a cover up

[sh105]

Article in today's Key West paper.

http://keysnews.com/317477998975588.bsp.htm

[WCRHL]

Winterfest Update
Round Robin Complete - Playoff Round Begins Tonight!

Round Robin play is now complete and the results are a 3-way tie for the #1 seed heading into the semifinals. Army, Missouri-Rolla and Florida International all finished with a 2-1 record. It came down to goal differential and Missouri-Rolla finished 1st with +10, Army 2nd with +6, and FIU 3rd with -1. Colorado finished 0-3 but did win the exhibition game against Key West by a score of 7-5.

It is any team's game going into the semifinals, as 2 out of the 3 games between the 3 tied teams were won by one goal. Army hopes to avenge it's 6-5 round robin loss to FIU in the semifinals, and Colorado hopes to show Missouri-Rolla that they are taking this seriously and that the 8-3 loss was not indicative of their post-round robin intentions.

Army vs. FIU kicks off the semifinals at 6pm tonight, while Missouri-Rolla takes on Colorado at 7:30pm. FIU also has their exhibition game against Key West at 9pm.

The consolation game will be played on Saturday January 5th at 10:30am, and the championship game will take place on Saturday January 5th at Noon.

Below is a link to the tournament schedule:
http://ncrha.org/schedule.php?event_id=774

Below are featured news stories from the Key West Citizen:

Southernmost Hockey Club collegiate tourney begins today
http://www.keysnews.com /343359618679033.bsp.htm

Day One Wrap-up: Military Academy jumps to quick start, picks up 2 wins
http://www.keysnews.com /317477998975588.bsp.htm

[sh105]

Are the box scores going to be posted?

[WCRHL]

Yes they will be posted. I heard they are having trouble finding an internet connection in between/after games. Rob has called me with all scores so that I was able to put them up and put the article together.

[Army Defense]

Army beat FIU in OT 6-5 in the semi's and will play Rolla at noon in the finals. FIU and Colorado will square off at 1030 in the consolation game

[WCRHL]

Thanks Army Defense.

The scores are now posted at www.ncrha.org

FYI the Key West team finished 2-2 in the 4 exhibition games played in the tournament.

[WCRHL]

Army wins!!! A 4-3 score against top-seeded Missouri-Rolla gets Army the 2007-2008 Winterfest Championship.

Congratulations to Army, and to all teams, who played a great event.

The consolation game was won by Colorado, upsetting last year's Winterfest champion, Florida International University, by a score of 9-5.

More info to come at www.ncrha.org!

[WCRHL]

More Key West News Coverage

Army, Missouri-Rolla in title tilt
http://www.keysnews.com/372462015443012.bsp.htm

Army edges Missouri in championship game
http://www.keysnews.com/318412033510461.bsp.htm

[sh105]

When can we expect the Box Scores?

[sh105]

Re: WINTER Nationals??
Yes they will be posted. I heard they are having trouble finding an internet connection in between/after games. Rob has called me with all scores so that I was able to put them up and put the article together.

Any closer to this??

[NCRHA]

Closer, yes.

We had to focus all energy on getting the Nationals location finalized. I would love to tell you they'll be up today, but I can't promise you that (as they're not in my possession)