buconvict {l Wrote}:talon {l Wrote}:I'm not trying to change the argument. I'm just trying to get a straight answer out of you. how was BU at a disadvantage in that game? Did the extra fans in the stands rooting for the other team have a stronger effect than BU's ability to counteract UNH's line changes during stoppages of play?
My answers have been very straight. I believe that crowds have a big impact on the mentality of 18-22 year old kids, and that impact is amplified in a Regional Final. Nobody is claiming that the final line changes aren't important, because they are. However, I think in the 3rd period of a 1-1 game, the crowd has a greater impact than the ability to match lines.
You're free to disagree of course. This argument started when someone said that BU did not have an easy road to the the title. I said that as far as NCAA tournys go, they did, although they faced a stiff challenge when they played a neutral site game against the University of New Hampshire in the state of New Hampshire.
I think that crowds have very little impact in hockey. I think you underrate how much of a fishbowl effect the boards and glass create. Plus, hockey is less susceptible to noise-related game impact than football (calling signals). Last change, on the other hand, is huge strategically -- especially in a tight game against a team with only one offensive threat. Which exactly describes BU vs. UNH 2009.
Only other sport that exceeds hockey for home advantage IMO is baseball. Batting last, in a game with no clock, in a stadium that you are used to and which is not exactly like every other stadium, is a huge advantage.