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So the girls tournament has been at the Xcel for a few years should it stay or should it go to another venue? Some have said the Xcel is to big and no energy is generated for the players or the fans. Has to be an expensive venue for only 3300 fans and cost this year is $15 a session.

Would moving it help the growth of girls hockey in the State? I think all the teams stay in Hotels in St. Paul so cost of staying in Twin Cities is only travel related. This question is raised in the spirit of where would the tournament be best held to build the game, give a great experience for the players and create an environment for the fans.

I think Mariucci would be a good alternative - as it would be nice to have some room for attendance to increase. Then consolation could be played at Ridder and not fall off the radar.

My vote is for a return to Ridder, where I think the atmosphere / excitement factor with a full house would be a big plus.

An addendum to my vote and comments, If the experience or "thrill" for the players is enhanced by playing at the X, then I'm okay with the tournament staying there. It's all about the players IMO. All player comments I've heard seem to indicate they like playing at the X...alot.

The crowds at the X have been disappointing I think. With fewer fans than I would expect...and hope to see, even with large metro area teams facing off. I know the weather was a factor on Thursday but I'm speaking of previous years also.

One aside from this fans point of view...Ridder concessions horrible...worst in the WCHA. The X Chow is spendy...but good.

I don't even recall what admission was for prior tournaments. I think $15.00 for a two game session is a bit much. Still worth it to me however.

Olympic sheet at Mariucci might not be the best for the high school game.

I think Ridder should be the location. Yes it is fun for the girls to play in the Xcel, but look at the stands, the lower section is not even half full. It would be a lot more fun in Ridder because the atmosphere would be electric.

At some point I'll find the link to the threads from years past re: this and post it here... I wrote to the MSHSL AGAINST moving to the X. Besides moving to "u14" by the USA H folks this (move to the X) was one of the worst things I've seen in G Hockey in the past 10 years...

Yes it's fun to play in the "X" but after you get over that, then, well, it's pretty empty and not a great atmosphere beyons a $100 million facility that's 75%+ empty

Attendance on Friday for the two sessions were as follows - would have easily fit in Ridder:

A Afternoon Session - 1,894 - 3 greater metro - Mahtomedi, Redwing, Blake - 1 very outstate Warroad

AA Evening Session - 2,127 - 4 greater metro teams Edina, Hopkins, Stillwater, Elk River

mnhkylvr wrote:I think Mariucci would be a good alternative - as it would be nice to have some room for attendance to increase. Then consolation could be played at Ridder and not fall off the radar.

Olympic size ice makes this the worst choice.

joehockey wrote:So the girls tournament has been at the Xcel for a few years should it stay or should it go to another venue? Some have said the Xcel is to big and no energy is generated for the players or the fans. Has to be an expensive venue for only 3300 fans and cost this year is $15 a session.

Would moving it help the growth of girls hockey in the State? I think all the teams stay in Hotels in St. Paul so cost of staying in Twin Cities is only travel related. This question is raised in the spirit of where would the tournament be best held to build the game, give a great experience for the players and create an environment for the fans.

I personally think that if the girls are really thrilled about playing the X Cell energy center, fine. However, I do not think it a bad thing for them to play in one of the top if not the top venue for Women's hockey in the country.

Wasn't Ridder supposed to be one of the top facilities for womens hockey in the country? It may be nice to play in the X but the atmosphere isnt much for a championship. Besides what are the costs for getting the x ready for a game that 2500 folks will attend? I like the Ridder/Marriucci combo. Maybe switch it to Duluth or St Cloud Every couple years so their economies get a taste.

Ridder is my pick. I would pay double for the atmosphere it would create. Put up some big screen TV's in the corners and let's play hockey. If it sells out. Great. It'll make for a must have ticket. You could possibly have the championship game somewhere else (xcel) as it grows.

I'm all for the girls getting the whole title IX thing, but sooner or later I think common sense should play into the equation. I don't really think you need an 18,000 seat venue for generally less than 2,000 per session. You do hear an awful lot about schools, districts, mshsl trying to cut back on spending. Wouldn't it save alot money not renting the xcel for such sparse crowds? To me that would be common sense, use a size appropriate venue. I think it would be great at Marriucci and Ridder, maybe stagger the games a little so you can walk back and forth between rinks to catch certain games.
I remember going to the X to see #1 Eden Prairie vs. #2 Stillwater in a 1st or 2nd round game a few years back and it was too empty and too quiet at the X. It's much more fun when you can hear the crowd and feel the excitement, when your that spread out and empty you lose those feelings.
Let's face it the girls don't draw like the boys do. I am all for the equlity thing but, to me, they aren't ready for such a large arena.

There is a five year contract that was renewed last year. The link should take you to the MSHSL board minutes.
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:33 am Post subject:
http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/showstudent. ... inutes.htm

Item #15. Approved five-year state (2009-2013) tournament site contracts
Xcel Energy Center Girls Hockey
University of Minnesota Girls Hockey Consolation

There is thread titled 2008 State Tournament Attendance where a similar discussion was held last year for those interesting in reading previous information shared.....

http://www.ushsho.com/forums/viewtopic. ... highlight=

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps/15723287.html

The high school league pays a flat rental fee for each tournament, plus an additional amount (called a facility fee) for every ticket sold. The facility fee is $2 per ticket at Xcel, but may increase to $2.50 at Xcel beginning in 2011.

There was also an article in the Trib where the cost was listed but not itemized. Don't know if link still works.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps/15723277.html
Girls' hockey

2004 at Ridder Arena

2005 at Ridder Arena

2006 $95,178

2007 $130,043

2008 TBA

2009 $148,070

2010 $153,070

2011 $166,377

2012 $171,338

2013 $176, 338

Having all the games as Univ. Minnesota would be terrible..NO Parking and the venue just isn't that great. Plus the U doesn't need any help on the recuiriting end....they are simply not a STATE TOURNAMENT Venue

Ridder is NOT a state tournment venue..it is no better than playing at any local arena..pretty boring...Lets bring it out state to the Little Ralph in Thief River Falls and make all you city folks travel a bit.

Right, Ridder is not a state tourney venue, but is good enough for a Women's college Frozen Four? My understanding is that the X bid was less than Ridder this last time around. But I would be willing to pay extra to play at Ridder for the atmosphere. it makes the crowd a factor. Unfotunately the grils tourney cant even fill up the lower ring of the Excel. If they start selling out Ridder then move it to a larger venue.

I have to agree, I think playing at Ridder should be the choice. Granted, I am obviously not a womans hockey player, so I'm sure there is a huge wow factor playing at the X.

BUT, for crowds getting into the games, feeling the energy...i think it would be neat to play @ the new heritage center in Duluth. Granted, I know the state tournament would not move out of the cities, but that arena in Duluth is beautiful. The arena was packed and the crowd was really into the C-E-C vs. P-H-M game.

Bemidji Events Center
(Assuming it is ever actually built)

the x is a great venue overall, i have actually had the privilege to play in the state tourney and it was a great experience. i will never forget stepping on to the ice for the first period, it was amazing. even though there's not a lot of fans (there was for our games ) it still is a great place to play despite the atmosphere. i play at ridder arena all the time during the summer, its just not as special as playing at the x....

hockeychamp01 wrote:the x is a great venue overall, i have actually had the privilege to play in the state tourney and it was a great experience. i will never forget stepping on to the ice for the first period, it was amazing. even though there's not a lot of fans (there was for our games ) it still is a great place to play despite the atmosphere. i play at ridder arena all the time during the summer, its just not as special as playing at the x....

I think the only votes that should count are the kids, and although Ridder is a nice game atmosphere the X is the best arena, possibly in the country so seems like a logical choice.

I don't follow other sports, but do people complain that the dome is empty for state football games, and to move to a smaller venue, or Target Center is empty for HS b-ball? It just seems that state tourneys are played in the premier arena in the state for each sport, so it would make sense that hockey is played at the X.

thanks allhoc11.....mariucci and ridder are great arenas but just don't have that "special" quality that the x has. the state tourney really is your only chance to play at the x and the fact that you are playing for your own school makes it even more special!