I'm curious how much COVID changed the mentality, if it did at all, they lost a playoffs and had a short season with (basically) no fans. It was so bad that some teams didn't even play games that shortened season. They have recovered just as quickly as the NHL has by setting record revenue and attendance last year... and I'm sure extra teams in the playoffs have help with all that. Considering there was talk some teams might fold during COVID this all might not be bad.
Also as much as we can complain about lowering the bar to the playoffs so far it's not really affected the Calder Cup Finals. The top two records made it to the finals this year, while last year the two finalist were top 4 in the league in regular season points. (The last two Stanley Cup final have both had a team not top 4 in the league make it.)
I will say this... its crazy to think that the Calder Cup finals could have gone longer tha the Stanley Cup final. The Bears ended it in six game so the both actually ended the same night. Bears won the Calder for the second straight year in OT. Both were hell of a game/series to watch.
I'm curious how much COVID changed the mentality, if it did at all, they lost a playoffs and had a short season with (basically) no fans. It was so bad that some teams didn't even play games that shortened season. They have recovered just as quickly as the NHL has by setting record revenue and attendance last year... and I'm sure extra teams in the playoffs have help with all that. Considering there was talk some teams might fold during COVID this all might not be bad.
Also as much as we can complain about lowering the bar to the playoffs so far it's not really affected the Calder Cup Finals. The top two records made it to the finals this year, while last year the two finalist were top 4 in the league in regular season points. (The last two Stanley Cup final have both had a team not top 4 in the league make it.)
I will say this... its crazy to think that the Calder Cup finals could have gone longer tha the Stanley Cup final. The Bears ended it in six game so the both actually ended the same night. Bears won the Calder for the second straight year in OT. Both were hell of a game/series to watch.
This was a depressing read. I feel bad for the guys who only play in the AHL and have to deal with this nonsense.