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Forums :: Blog World :: Dan Wallace: Huge Game If Wild Want Home Ice
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Dan Wallace
Joined: 09.15.2005

May 5 @ 11:54 AM ET
Dan Wallace: Huge Game If Wild Want Home Ice
Shady1962
Joined: 02.06.2021

May 5 @ 12:02 PM ET
Socalled home Ice advantage Is simply a cliche that gives hockey media types something to talk about, It's an old and tired narrative and there Is still NO science that proves a team with home Ice has a distinct advantage In winning any game or series. Find something relevant to talk about.
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

May 5 @ 12:36 PM ET
Well being the Wild I believe have the 6th best home ice record in the NHL, i think its somewhat relevant to the post season conversation, however "cliche" it may be. Especially now that fans are being allowed back in at some capacity.

In the end does it make a bit of difference? As Shady pointed out, there's really no science to prove otherwise but my guess is 23 players of any squad would beg to differ... So whether it's an intangible state of mind or possibly a real living breathing thing, i think it's always relevant when any team gets home ice/field advantage.

Just my 2 cents
Gusrichards
Season Ticket Holder
Minnesota Wild
Location: Duluth, MN
Joined: 02.22.2012

May 5 @ 1:51 PM ET
I think home ice is a definite bonus. From the coaching aspect, if a coach is one that tends to match lines, you have the last choice. Helps tremendously in that regard. Familiarity breeds ease, and ease make an athlete play better. When you know all the little, fickle spots where a puck can bounce or carom in a strange way. There is a reason that when a player is struggling, they say they are "holding the stick to tight"...why? Because they aren't at ease and letting things go naturally. Now don't confuse this with complacency, because that is just a player that doesn't give a spit.

And the biggest thing with home ice/field advantage? The home crowd. I don't care what professional athlete thinks it doesn't affect them, but boos and jeers from the opposing crowd, or even loud cheers for the opposition can and does have an affect on those on the ice/field. If this wasn't true, please explain why back in the day when the Wild were not good at all, but still played teams great at home...just to get dismantled when on the road. Or why it is so difficult to play at Lumen Field. Or why the Colorado Rockies or so terrible on the road, but at least halfway decent at home.

Home ice is a HUGE advantage for things like the playoffs.
Minsoh
Minnesota Wild
Location: St. Paul, MN
Joined: 07.11.2014

May 5 @ 2:21 PM ET
Socalled home Ice advantage Is simply a cliche that gives hockey media types something to talk about, It's an old and tired narrative and there Is still NO science that proves a team with home Ice has a distinct advantage In winning any game or series. Find something relevant to talk about.
- Shady1962


I wholeheartedly disagree. If we draw COL in the first round and are able to have 4 of the 7 (if needed)games where we determine the matchup against Mac line it gives us a better chance, as an example. Saying this is not relevant is naïve to all the small facets to the game where you want every advantage you can get, which is extremely relevant. Not to say that it works out but an advantage is an advantage and they would be stupid to ignore that fact.



Minsoh
Minnesota Wild
Location: St. Paul, MN
Joined: 07.11.2014

May 5 @ 2:26 PM ET


And the biggest thing with home ice/field advantage? The home crowd. I don't care what professional athlete thinks it doesn't affect them, but boos and jeers from the opposing crowd, or even loud cheers for the opposition can and does have an affect on those on the ice/field. If this wasn't true, please explain why back in the day when the Wild were not good at all, but still played teams great at home...just to get dismantled when on the road. Or why it is so difficult to play at Lumen Field. Or why the Colorado Rockies or so terrible on the road, but at least halfway decent at home.

Home ice is a HUGE advantage for things like the playoffs.

- Gusrichards


Agreed Gus. Also if this wasn't true how come home and away regular season records show variance where the home record is almost always better for each divisions playoff teams.
Shady1962
Joined: 02.06.2021

May 5 @ 3:22 PM ET
I'd be willing to bet that If Colorado faced the Wild In a 7 game playoff series and all games are played In St.Paul that Colorado would win simply because of the teams elite talent and not because of geographic's. And I really don't have a problem with anyone disagreeing with any of my statements at anytime but It's hard to argue science and large sample sizes and odds and past history.
MNHawksfan
Joined: 05.17.2015

May 5 @ 5:47 PM ET
I think home ice is an advantage now that games are not being played in that bubble. With the Covid restrictions that are in place it has to be nice to sleep in your own bed and have that normal routine at home. The routine on the road is more strict from what I have read.
BluesDroogie
St Louis Blues
Location: St. Louis, MO
Joined: 06.12.2014

May 5 @ 10:22 PM ET
Is it basically a given

Blues vs Knights
Wild vs Avs

I’d try for home ice against Anyone.
Shady1962
Joined: 02.06.2021

May 5 @ 11:18 PM ET
BREAKING NEWS! The road team won In St.Paul Wednesday night because they were the better team.
Shady1962
Joined: 02.06.2021

May 5 @ 11:20 PM ET
FYI. Alot of players LOVE being on the road because there are less distractions and some guys have what I like to call a woman In every port.
bmgarvert
Minnesota Wild
Joined: 07.15.2009

May 6 @ 4:23 AM ET
FYI. Alot of players LOVE being on the road because there are less distractions and some guys have what I like to call a woman In every port.
- Shady1962



What a lazy troll. First you say scientifically there is no difference....now let me explain to you the non-scientific difference.

Now to the topic of science, there is some out there that concludes home ice isn’t much of an advantage, but it’s still an advantage none the less.

[url] https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/a-home-playoff-game-is-a-big-advantage-unless-you-play-hockey/amp/
Tweaterben
Minnesota Wild
Location: PROFESSIONAL CHOKE ARTISTS, MN
Joined: 10.19.2008

May 6 @ 9:28 AM ET
What a lazy troll. First you say scientifically there is no difference....now let me explain to you the non-scientific difference.

Now to the topic of science, there is some out there that concludes home ice isn’t much of an advantage, but it’s still an advantage none the less.


- bmgarvert[url] https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/a-home-playoff-game-is-a-big-advantage-unless-you-play-hockey/amp/

Don't mind him, he does this every time. He's a pickle puller
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

May 6 @ 9:55 AM ET
Where's sota popinski when you need him.... Come back Sota!!!!
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

May 6 @ 10:08 AM ET
BREAKING NEWS! The road team won In St.Paul Wednesday night because they were the better team.
- Shady1962


K, so even though the "better team" won last nights contest, they apparently still have a "losing" record against the Wild... weird. So pray tell, what makes them "the better team"??? I mean a 3 - 5 record doesn't exactly scream "better team"... does it???