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Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:48 am**

Do you think that the Target Center will be standing room only if we have Minnetonka vs. Eden Prairie and Edina vs. Bloom. Jefferson???

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:55 am**

The big rivalry in 2AA is AHA/BJ. I remember seeing the X packed to watch them play in state 5 years ago. (I know all games sell out). If AHA wins out and gets the #1 seed, that game would have standing room only I would guess if it happened. As a semi-final, I don't know.

Tonka/EP should be packed. How much seating are they going to use? For hockey, the Target Center holds 19,500; think they'll open up the upper deck for the finals games?

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:16 pm**

I'm not sure what the hockey seating capacity is at Target Center. Another thing I forgot to add that maybe some don't know is the 2AA and 6AA finals are a double header, 6 PM and 8:30 PM on the first Wed. of March.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:21 pm**

rapidsrapids wrote:I'm not sure what the hockey seating capacity is at Target Center. Another thing I forgot to add that maybe some don't know is the 2AA and 6AA finals are a double header, 6 PM and 8:30 PM on the first Wed. of March.

Wikipedia lists the hockey capacity at 19,500, but that's including the upper deck. Do you think everything will be open?

In these double headers do they make you leave after the first game?

I wonder why they don't do more section double headers like this at the same venue. Once you get to the semi's you could easily have the the 4 games from two sections on a Saturday and the finals Tuesday after, or something like that.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:24 pm**

rapidsrapids wrote:Do you think that the Target Center will be standing room only if we have Minnetonka vs. Eden Prairie and Edina vs. Bloom. Jefferson???

No way. That is just too many people for one night. Even in the late 1980s heyday the Section V (Kennedy-Jefferson) and Section VI (Edina, Minnetonka finals couldn't come close to filling the Met Center. Lower bowl was full, but not the whole building.

HS sports aren't able to draw as much as they were 25 years ago.

As for the matchups, I don't think it matters which teams reach the final. Edina-Holy Angels-Jefferson-Burnsville and Tonka-Wayzata-Benilde-Eden Prairie...can't go wrong.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:33 pm**

O-townClown wrote:
rapidsrapids wrote:Do you think that the Target Center will be standing room only if we have Minnetonka vs. Eden Prairie and Edina vs. Bloom. Jefferson???
No way. That is just too many people for one night. Even in the late 1980s heyday the Section V (Kennedy-Jefferson) and Section VI (Edina, Minnetonka finals couldn't come close to filling the Met Center. Lower bowl was full, but not the whole building.

HS sports aren't able to draw as much as they were 25 years ago.

Why is this? Yearly, we can sell out the quarterfinal game of state when the 1AA team is supposed to get dominated, but if the 6AA final is Tonka-EP, the two best teams in the state will be meeting in the section finals and will get half the crowd, if that.

Are there really that many people who a) go to the state tourney simply because it's the state tourney and b) won't go to a good section final game but will go to a bad state game?

O-townClown wrote:
...I don't think it matters which teams reach the final. Edina-Holy Angels-Jefferson-Burnsville and Tonka-Wayzata-Benilde-Eden Prairie...can't go wrong.

I agree the finals in these sections will be good regardless of who is in them.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:11 pm**

O-townClown wrote:As for the matchups, I don't think it matters which teams reach the final. Edina-Holy Angels-Jefferson-Burnsville and Tonka-Wayzata-Benilde-Eden Prairie...can't go wrong.

I agree and would also add that no matter who makes the section final games, do everything you can to buy your tickets in advance because the lines at the ticket counters are going to be riduculous. The past few years at Mariucci was sheer mayhem trying to buy a ticket and get in.

If I had to guess, there will be 12,000-13,000 at the Target Center this year, and about half will be trying to buy their tickets at the gate.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:47 pm**

HShockeywatcher wrote:
rapidsrapids wrote: In these double headers do they make you leave after the first game?

I wonder why they don't do more section double headers like this at the same venue. Once you get to the semi's you could easily have the the 4 games from two sections on a Saturday and the finals Tuesday after, or something like that.
Have you ever heard of the Coliseum? They've been doing this for years. And no, you don't have to leave after the first game.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:06 pm**

BodyShots wrote:
HShockeywatcher wrote:
rapidsrapids wrote: In these double headers do they make you leave after the first game?

I wonder why they don't do more section double headers like this at the same venue. Once you get to the semi's you could easily have the the 4 games from two sections on a Saturday and the finals Tuesday after, or something like that.
Have you ever heard of the Coliseum? They've been doing this for years. And no, you don't have to leave after the first game.
I said more, not that it doesn't happen already. With the coliseum in the past and mariucci that makes 4 sections. Of the 16 in the state, that's only a quarter.

Last year 2AA and 6AA played at Mariucci. Does this mean no teams will be playing there this year or will it be different sections?

Think they'll ever play games at Target field? That would be a great atmosphere in the future.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:19 pm**

I recall a few seasons at the Met when the V/VI finals sold out at least half of upper deck before it was over.

As for what could happen this year, remember that Mariucci was beyond capacity for 2/6 last season (which holds 10,000 with STO) and many more were turned away. Plus if people know in advance that they don't have to worry about not getting a ticket it may draw a few more to the venue. I still don't think that night gets close to 19,000, but given the probable matchups, the history and the added capacity I wouldn't be shocked to see 12-14,000.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:44 pm**

Everyone start inviting/informing hockey fans of this awesome event and maybe it will sell out.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:47 pm**

HShockeywatcher wrote:Why is this? Yearly, we can sell out the quarterfinal game of state when the 1AA team is supposed to get dominated, but if the 6AA final is Tonka-EP, the two best teams in the state will be meeting in the section finals and will get half the crowd, if that.

Are there really that many people who a) go to the state tourney simply because it's the state tourney and b) won't go to a good section final game but will go to a bad state game?

Part of it's the mystique of the tourney, yes. Even if you know your team is going to get killed, it's still cool to see them play at the X on the state's biggest stage. Since participating schools practically shut down on tourney days, a lot more students are able to attend, or do so even if they have little interest in hockey just because everyone else is.

There's also a ticketing issue--many people buy season tickets for State; there's even a waiting list to get them. That avenue doesn't exist for section finals. It's also very easy to get tickets to state games through participating schools instead of having to go through the ticket window, which is the only option for some section finals.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:21 pm**

For those wondering, the reason they're playing these finals at the Target Center this year has absolutely nothing to do with it having more capacity or anything like that.

The U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships are being held at Mariucci that week. They've even managed to take priority over Gopher hockey, which is also playing at the Target Center that saturday.

http://www.tcfsa.org/2010%20Synchro%20N ... /Index.htm

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:30 pm**

are the semifinals there too? or are they at braemar and big as usual

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:47 pm**

Still Braemar and BIG.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:02 pm**

HShockeywatcher wrote:Why is this?

The section final is played during a time when other sections are still playing. Some may even be that night. This 2/6 doubleheader is on a Monday I believe, which is a school night.

There is no way to compare the State Tournament, where all the tickets are allocated already, to a game that literally needs 17,000+ walk-up and presale through schools.

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:19 pm**

The ghetto center is no plae for Hockey. The two years state was held there the boards were so loose and the ice was not good, that made the games not as fun. But I am sure I will be there anyway....

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:39 pm**

You can be the honorary Zamboni driver or Zamboni rider

Posted: **Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:07 am**

Someone will need to be a driver. Don't we have a basketball team that plays there?

Posted: **Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:57 am**

O-townClown wrote:
HShockeywatcher wrote:Why is this?
The section final is played during a time when other sections are still playing. Some may even be that night. This 2/6 doubleheader is on a Monday I believe, which is a school night.

There is no way to compare the State Tournament, where all the tickets are allocated already, to a game that literally needs 17,000+ walk-up and presale through schools.

1a. You're saying the fact that this is a section final while other sections are still playing their semi's draws more people? I'm not disagreeing, but go on...
1b. 2AA and 6AA play at the Target Center (usually at Mariucci) and 3AA and 4AA play at the Colisseum. What I'm saying is; why don't 7AA and 8AA do the same? I'm sure 1A could draw more if they were paired up on a night with 1AA. Or 7A/7AA, 8A/8AA, 5A/5AA, 4A/2A, etc. Less dates, less refs, bigger crowds, etc, seems logical.

2. I agree...to a point. When it comes to going to games in person, I would much prefer to go to a good section game than a bad state game. Plus, it's cheaper and you don't have to deal with the parking situation.

Posted: **Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:43 am**

Too bad these games will be played at basketball facility. Nothing good happens at Target Center

Posted: **Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:27 pm**

rapidsrapids wrote:Do you think that the Target Center will be standing room only if we have Minnetonka vs. Eden Prairie and Edina vs. Bloom. Jefferson???

No way. Not even close.

Posted: **Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:31 pm**

rapidsrapids wrote:Do you think that the Target Center will be standing room only if we have Minnetonka vs. Eden Prairie and Edina vs. Bloom. Jefferson???

I doubt it, but possibly. Obviously if those were the match-ups, the attendance would be higher. If Benilde or AHA make it there won't be nearly as many people there, since they are privates.

Posted: **Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:47 pm**

starmvp wrote:If Benilde or AHA make it there won't be nearly as many people there, since they are privates.

Not because they are privates, it's because they are much smaller schools.

Posted: **Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:08 pm**

MNHockeyFan wrote:
starmvp wrote:If Benilde or AHA make it there won't be nearly as many people there, since they are privates.
Not because they are privates, it's because they are much smaller schools.

Well, partly because they are privates. There wouldn't be that community support that you get with publics.

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Z'man at the 'hood

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