Playoff Issue

[DCbullets14]

I was hopeing someone could possibly clarify the AIHL Southeast playoff schedule for me. I was told tonight that the first round would be the weekend of June 6 and 7 and the division finals would be the following weekend June 13 and 14.

Can anyone tell me when this was determined? Was this scheduled at the begining of the season or recently?

Im very frustrated at this point because my team (Maryland) will most likely have to forfit our playoff games because we will have a max of about 5 skaters. I do not understand why the league scheduled playoffs and provided us with basically no notice and why there is still no information on the website.

In addition to the lack of notice we are expected to travel over 5 hours as the first place team to the home of the 4th place team....Playoff travel is in addition to having one of the most intense travel schedules in the entire league....

At this point our team feels like we killed ourselves all season to get no reward.

Sorry just had to get that off my chest...

Brad Pryor
Maryland Knights

[J88]

This is one issue I have with both leagues. The higher seed team should receive home floor advantage no matter what. It is a reward for your regular season record. If your rink is unavailable you should first have the chance to obtain time at another closer rink. If this is not an option the game should be moved to a neutral site that is as close to half way between the two competing clubs as possible. Now this is not a shot a one specific league because both of them have been guilty of this before.

Rick Jackson

[tommy]

Okay I didn't want to mention this or anything like that, but this thread seems just about too perfect for me to pass that up...

There has definitely been some shady business happening in the southwest division of the AIHL. The play-offs for this division were originally scheduled for the weekend of May 16-17. This worked out perfectly because this was scheduled right after the youth state championships at the same rink. As has been discussed before on this board, this would be great for the sport of roller hockey in Arizona because it would give the opportunity to the developing players in the state to watch some of the best players in the region play against each other in a high stakes play-off atmosphere. Just to clarify, there would have been no rink time issues as the block schedule by the in-state tournament series was done to accommodate this.

Suddenly, to everyone's surprise, the entire division's playoffs were moved to two weeks later, May 30-31 with little to no communication. Basically, all the players in the division found out about the change of the playoff date through hearsay from other players on different teams. Allegedly, the playoffs were moved because the previously agreed upon weekend conflicted with Team USA tryouts for a couple of the players on the Phoenix team. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about Team USA roller hockey, but the tryouts for this were announced much longer than a week ago, so if the playoffs were to have been moved, it should have been done so a lot sooner than the week before they were scheduled.

To make matters worse, the new weekend that the playoff series were scheduled to is the weekend of the Escondido NARCh qualifier. This happens to be the last qualifier for NARCh on the west coast this year and many players were planning on attending this before the last minute schedule change. For sure, five players from the Tucson Desperados elite team were planning on qualifying for juniors and PRO as well as some coaching younger teams participating in the tournament. Additionally, a couple of players from the El Paso Black Diamonds minor team were planning on playing in the youth divisions of the tournament. I know there are conflicts either way, but clearly there are way more conflicts now that the playoffs have been moved to this weekend. Who knows if the teams will retain all their players or if some will go to the NARCh qualifier instead. If so, the schedule change definitely affected the scope of the division finals...specifically since the players in question are talented enough to be playing in the platinum divisions at NARCh.

Keep in mind that this was all done, from what I have heard, between two of the coaches in the division without the consultation of the other half of the coaches that have been participating in the division all year.

So, without turning this into a NARCh vs. AAU debate (because believe me I've heard that one way too many times to count and it's getting a little repetitive), is this wrong? Should the division playoffs be moved away from the weekend that they were scheduled to be just weeks before the date? Should half of the coaches consult each other and make decisions for the entire division? Isn't that what AIHL was trying to get away from? If I'm wrong on this, then I guess I don't know what I'm talking about...someone provide insight here please.

[General28]

Brad, I would suggest talking to your coach/owner about this issue. We (Virginia Generals) have had the playoff dates listed on our website since the beginning of the season, so I know that this is not a last minute decision. I do agree with you that the playoff should be played in the higher seed's home rink, or like said before, played in a neutral site that is equal for both teams. I'm not sure if this would help with your issues of not having many players or not. If you do have 5 skaters, then i would say you should go anyway and see what happens. At least you wont be forfeiting at that point.

Just my two cents.

[southcyclone]

Everyone,

The playoffs for the southeast were set back in January. It was agreed at what site they would be at by the owners. The divisonal playoffs for the southeast are June 6th and 7th at Raleigh. The conference finals are June 13 and 14 at Feasterville.

If you asked your owner first they would have informed you when these dates were set. Now the only reason they are this way is your divison chose to have it then and also have games at the end of may for their last festival. I would recomened that you email me at [email protected] since I have been in charge of your division since March when your coordinator resigned.

I will gladly elaborate further but this is not something that a player should complain at the league about when they were not informed.

[DCbullets14]

I appoligize if you felt that I was blameing this on you. I feel that you have done a great job as division cordinator and and I am very grateful that you were willing to step in and help our division.

I understand that this may not be entirely the leagues fault but it is the league that failed to have any playoffs information on their website. My father is the coach of our team and had no knowledge of the playoff schedule until last night also but I guess that is poor communication within our organization.

Since the playoffs were scheduled in January why was this information never posted online, where it would be easily accessible to both players and fans?

It is a very frustrating situation that we are in but I still feel that the league is fantastic. I have had no complaints up until this point and have had one of the most enjoyable seasons of hockey that I can remember.

Although I hate the possibility of being unable to play our playoff games I am faithful that the league will take a look at the structure of the playoffs and possibly review the setup.

[InlineMBA]

I admit, I haven't been paying to close attention to the AIHL this season, but I thought the AIHL Championship series was supposed to be held at Disney during their Memorial Day Weekend tournament.

When did this change?

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8

[calihockey]

I recognize that it's AIHL's first season, so one must expect growing pains, but it is also bad form for many reasons not to post the playoff schedule on the website. For one, we have seen in the past where in the long season may cause owners/players/coaches to forget about things and its pro roller, there are no high salaried GMs and/or a big management team around to keep things in order. I think this would just be good sense moving forward to do so for the benefit of the players who still do pay for the league from what I have heard. Secondly, how can a league promote itself without promoting the playoffs? Have you been to the NHL's website? Granted the marketing budget between the two leagues in night and day, but I think the point comes across. The website is part of your overhead both in cost and man hours. Might as well get the most out of your resources. I don't mean this to bash the league. In fact, I am really hopefully that the AIHL with continued efforts to improve can take pro roller to where I don't see any of the other leagues being able to. Good luck to everyone in the playoffs.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

I admit, I haven't been paying to close attention to the AIHL this season, but I thought the AIHL Championship series was supposed to be held at Disney during their Memorial Day Weekend tournament.

When did this change?

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8

Hi Steve,

That was the original plan but there were things that prevented it from happening. The finals being played at Junior Olympics has been in place for quite some time.

Ruppy Hailey

[southcyclone]

I appoligize if you felt that I was blameing this on you. I feel that you have done a great job as division cordinator and and I am very grateful that you were willing to step in and help our division.

I understand that this may not be entirely the leagues fault but it is the league that failed to have any playoffs information on their website. My father is the coach of our team and had no knowledge of the playoff schedule until last night also but I guess that is poor communication within our organization.

Since the playoffs were scheduled in January why was this information never posted online, where it would be easily accessible to both players and fans?

It is a very frustrating situation that we are in but I still feel that the league is fantastic. I have had no complaints up until this point and have had one of the most enjoyable seasons of hockey that I can remember.

Although I hate the possibility of being unable to play our playoff games I am faithful that the league will take a look at the structure of the playoffs and possibly review the setup.

All I have to say is your owner summarized the situation to me extremely well on a phone call. I would rather not get into it and blast you since you were nice enough to at least appreciate my efforts for your division.

I have no explanation why the playoff dates were not posted online. It was up to each individual division to schedule them. Probably why they were not posted. Division coordinators are also team owners and coaches as well at times.

I would be very weary of posting relating to your coach not knowing since he is your father. It does not help your organization and put it in a good light. All I can say from all of my dealings with the Maryland organization is nothing but first class and one of the most organized teams in the league.

Listening is a skill that is sometimes missed by people. I am not going to blast you as I do not want to cast a negative light on you or your team but from what I have been told when the vote was made by the division your team was informed by your owner.

John

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

I recognize that it's AIHL's first season, so one must expect growing pains, but it is also bad form for many reasons not to post the playoff schedule on the website. For one, we have seen in the past where in the long season may cause owners/players/coaches to forget about things and its pro roller, there are no high salaried GMs and/or a big management team around to keep things in order. I think this would just be good sense moving forward to do so for the benefit of the players who still do pay for the league from what I have heard. Secondly, how can a league promote itself without promoting the playoffs? Have you been to the NHL's website? Granted the marketing budget between the two leagues in night and day, but I think the point comes across. The website is part of your overhead both in cost and man hours. Might as well get the most out of your resources. I don't mean this to bash the league. In fact, I am really hopefully that the AIHL with continued efforts to improve can take pro roller to where I don't see any of the other leagues being able to. Good luck to everyone in the playoffs.

Hey calihockey,

You make some good points regarding the playoff schedule. However, I feel that it's necessary to shoulder the burden of correspondence and communication equally between the league and the team owners. I have found that if there is a league related question, the Division Coordinators can either answer or get an answer to those questions in a timely manner. We have been very fortunate here in the New England Division as Jim Miller has been easily accessible and has always resolved any issue that may have come up.

You also make some valid points directed at the website and it's content...or lack thereof. It is widely accepted and understood that the league's website is the largest form of mass media that the AIHL has at it's disposal. I too feel that although the website has certainly raised the bar for a similar type of elite but not professional sport, it has without a doubt not fully been used to it's potential. But as you mentioned, it is the league's inaugural season and there were bound to be some growing pains. I want to make it clear that by stating this I am not trying to allow the AIHL to use a built in excuse. However, if you choose to acknowledge any problems, you must also acknowledge the fact that it is year #1.

Here is what I can tell you. There are a number people who are very passionate about elite level inline hockey that currently do not hold a position within the league. These people, for one reason or another, have been prevented from doing so this season and I would expect most if not all of them to make their presence known within the league the moment that they are able to once again be involved. The people in question will no doubt have an immediate positive impact on the league which will further enhance everyone's involvement with the AIHL.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people associated with the AIHL who played a part in making this inaugural season such a great one. Yeah...there were a few bumps in the road, but all in all I think this year was fantastic. For those teams who are still playing, good luck with the remainder of your season. And for those of you who have either completed your season or plan on joining the league next year, I honestly can not wait to see how great 2009-2010 is going to be.

Ruppy Hailey

[growl89]

Rupp

Some great points! This season has been one of the best in a while, at least out east (mid-atlantic division and northeast) I single those out because those are the teams that we played against. The longer games and competition made for some very good atmosphere.

As for the dates being posted on the website. It was a bit disappointing to not see any previews on all the series. But I think that is up to the teams right? I know regular season stories are. Does playoffs work the same way? Or should a nuetral person right them to avoid bias? In any event, I think for next season that at the very least, the high seeds (home teams) should be required to post something on the playoff series happening. Seems like a good idea, no? Even though we lost, it would still be great to read about the other teams and players in the league during the playoffs. I know i'm still interested in who wins what from here on out.

[kevinsmithAZ]

Okay I didn't want to mention this or anything like that, but this thread seems just about too perfect for me to pass that up...

There has definitely been some shady business happening in the southwest division of the AIHL. The play-offs for this division were originally scheduled for the weekend of May 16-17. This worked out perfectly because this was scheduled right after the youth state championships at the same rink. As has been discussed before on this board, this would be great for the sport of roller hockey in Arizona because it would give the opportunity to the developing players in the state to watch some of the best players in the region play against each other in a high stakes play-off atmosphere. Just to clarify, there would have been no rink time issues as the block schedule by the in-state tournament series was done to accommodate this.

Suddenly, to everyone's surprise, the entire division's playoffs were moved to two weeks later, May 30-31 with little to no communication. Basically, all the players in the division found out about the change of the playoff date through hearsay from other players on different teams. Allegedly, the playoffs were moved because the previously agreed upon weekend conflicted with Team USA tryouts for a couple of the players on the Phoenix team. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about Team USA roller hockey, but the tryouts for this were announced much longer than a week ago, so if the playoffs were to have been moved, it should have been done so a lot sooner than the week before they were scheduled.

To make matters worse, the new weekend that the playoff series were scheduled to is the weekend of the Escondido NARCh qualifier. This happens to be the last qualifier for NARCh on the west coast this year and many players were planning on attending this before the last minute schedule change. For sure, five players from the Tucson Desperados elite team were planning on qualifying for juniors and PRO as well as some coaching younger teams participating in the tournament. Additionally, a couple of players from the El Paso Black Diamonds minor team were planning on playing in the youth divisions of the tournament. I know there are conflicts either way, but clearly there are way more conflicts now that the playoffs have been moved to this weekend. Who knows if the teams will retain all their players or if some will go to the NARCh qualifier instead. If so, the schedule change definitely affected the scope of the division finals...specifically since the players in question are talented enough to be playing in the platinum divisions at NARCh.

Keep in mind that this was all done, from what I have heard, between two of the coaches in the division without the consultation of the other half of the coaches that have been participating in the division all year.

So, without turning this into a NARCh vs. AAU debate (because believe me I've heard that one way too many times to count and it's getting a little repetitive), is this wrong? Should the division playoffs be moved away from the weekend that they were scheduled to be just weeks before the date? Should half of the coaches consult each other and make decisions for the entire division? Isn't that what AIHL was trying to get away from? If I'm wrong on this, then I guess I don't know what I'm talking about...someone provide insight here please.

Tommy writes the longest and probably the most on topic post in the thread and nobody replies to it..? I'd like to see some other opinions on this before I add my 2 cents.

[rhhof]

Kevin -- I dont ever come on here and bash with my opinion

I would like to state certain unhappiness out west but I have kept it to myself in these past few months...I PM'd tommy and if you would like to continue the discussion I would be happy to offline

[email protected]

[Downz39]

I wrote lengthly responses twice, and couldn't post either time. Chances are my computer goes out the window any moment. Anyway, I agree with a majority of what Tommy said. However in his first paragraph he's a bit misinformed. The playoffs site was decided only two weeks ago. It could have been in Vegas if we would have won-out vs. El Paso. We didn't and now they are in Phoenix.

The change of dates sucks. The Team USA tryout was the 3rd reason I have heard of to cause the change. The first being the two possible host's rinks being booked that original weekend, the other that El Paso would have a lot of travel on consecutive weekends. Don't know if either are true, that is what I was told. Not only is the date change bad, but I just looked at the AIHL site, and our 1st game is at 11:30 am. That is brutal. We usually travel on that Saturday morning because some guys work late Fridays, myself included I don't get off until 6am. The communication between the owners, then back to the players needs to be worked on, to keep everyone in the loop.

I have some other commments/thoughts but I think it's better to not put them up. One thing that I think everyone has to remember. It's the first year for the league, first year for some teams, and I think/hope it gets better with time. I've had a lot of fun playing this year, even though our travel in the Southwest sucks, and I look forward to playing again next year. Good luck to everyone in the playoffs.