keep in mind the bolts play in a 22k seat arena. instead of putting up how much they averaged per game - i'd like to see what percentage of seats were filled.
tampa drawing almost 18k in a 22k arena comes out to roughly 80% capacity. if ottawa plays in a 18k arena and drew almost 18k - that means they are playing to near capacity.
to me - Percentage of seats filled is more important.
the (not-so) mighty ducks could sell out every game and still average less than the bolts because the Pond only seats 17,174.
tampa drawing almost 18k in a 22k arena comes out to roughly 80% capacity. if ottawa plays in a 18k arena and drew almost 18k - that means they are playing to near capacity.
to me - Percentage of seats filled is more important.
the (not-so) mighty ducks could sell out every game and still average less than the bolts because the Pond only seats 17,174.
FISh...This article Posted By General in the NHL Forum shows you what a HOCKEY town is all about:
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Red-shirted hockey fans by the tens of thousands poured into the streets of Calgary late on Monday to chant, wave flags, honk horns and celebrate what had become Canada's miracle on ice.
The Calgary Flames were beaten 2-1 by the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup final, but not before the underdog team captured imaginations in their city, then their country.
Despite the loss, die-hard fans from across the city descended on 17th Avenue, a strip of bars not far from the Pengrowth Saddledome arena that became known as the Red Mile, to pay tribute to the team that unexpectedly came within a hairsbreadth of winning hockey's greatest prize.
"It's been an amazing, amazing run and no one should be hanging their head," said Alfio Papa, a 38-year-old tile setter. "It's been great for the city and great for the country. Let's hope it boils through to next season."
Canada considers hockey to be its own game. But the Flames were the first Canadian team to play in the Stanley Cup final since 1994, as a weak domestic currency made it tough to compete for top talent.
Some along the Red Mile moaned about a disallowed Flames goal in Game Six that might have spelled victory, others let loose with chants that disparaged Tampa Bay's victorious team in no uncertain terms.
But mostly, the crowd was there to cheer the Flames' success in going down to the wire.
"This was the best hockey we've seen in years," said roofer Garth Ronald, 27.
When the season began, few expected the club to make the playoffs at all after missing them for seven years straight.
Only a few years ago, fans feared the financially struggling team would be shipped to a rich U.S. market, as were the Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets in the 1990s.
But Calgary, with one of the lowest payrolls in the NHL, rallied under coach Darryl Sutter and captain Jarome Iginla, now seen as the sport's newest superstar.
Flames fever snowballed into a cultural phenomenon as the team -- ranked 12th after the regular season -- knocked off Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose to face the Lightning.
Since April, it appeared every third car and truck on the streets of the city of 1 million people flew a "Flaming C" flag. The logo is ubiquitous on houses, office buildings, malls, hotels and commuter trains.
In downtown office towers dominated by the oil industry, Flames jerseys were not only accepted as business attire, but encouraged. A rap song about the team, to the tune of 50 Cent's "In Da Club," has been No. 1 around town for weeks.
Across the country, the Flames grabbed headlines at the expense of other big stories, including the national election.
Crowds along 17th Avenue grew after each game, even losses. Young women sparked outrage among some locals by baring breasts to the crowd, photos of which became Internet fodder. The police presence increased, but there were few arrests.
Many watched Game Seven on big-screen TVs set up outside bars along the strip or in coffee shops -- even in a hair salon. Disappointment over the loss was short-lived.
Mayor Dave Bronconnier ventured into the Red Mile throng, estimated as high as 40,000 after the game, and said Calgarians were still ecstatic the team beat the odds.
"Look around -- we couldn't be more proud of the Calgary Flames," he said.
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Red-shirted hockey fans by the tens of thousands poured into the streets of Calgary late on Monday to chant, wave flags, honk horns and celebrate what had become Canada's miracle on ice.
The Calgary Flames were beaten 2-1 by the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup final, but not before the underdog team captured imaginations in their city, then their country.
Despite the loss, die-hard fans from across the city descended on 17th Avenue, a strip of bars not far from the Pengrowth Saddledome arena that became known as the Red Mile, to pay tribute to the team that unexpectedly came within a hairsbreadth of winning hockey's greatest prize.
"It's been an amazing, amazing run and no one should be hanging their head," said Alfio Papa, a 38-year-old tile setter. "It's been great for the city and great for the country. Let's hope it boils through to next season."
Canada considers hockey to be its own game. But the Flames were the first Canadian team to play in the Stanley Cup final since 1994, as a weak domestic currency made it tough to compete for top talent.
Some along the Red Mile moaned about a disallowed Flames goal in Game Six that might have spelled victory, others let loose with chants that disparaged Tampa Bay's victorious team in no uncertain terms.
But mostly, the crowd was there to cheer the Flames' success in going down to the wire.
"This was the best hockey we've seen in years," said roofer Garth Ronald, 27.
When the season began, few expected the club to make the playoffs at all after missing them for seven years straight.
Only a few years ago, fans feared the financially struggling team would be shipped to a rich U.S. market, as were the Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets in the 1990s.
But Calgary, with one of the lowest payrolls in the NHL, rallied under coach Darryl Sutter and captain Jarome Iginla, now seen as the sport's newest superstar.
Flames fever snowballed into a cultural phenomenon as the team -- ranked 12th after the regular season -- knocked off Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose to face the Lightning.
Since April, it appeared every third car and truck on the streets of the city of 1 million people flew a "Flaming C" flag. The logo is ubiquitous on houses, office buildings, malls, hotels and commuter trains.
In downtown office towers dominated by the oil industry, Flames jerseys were not only accepted as business attire, but encouraged. A rap song about the team, to the tune of 50 Cent's "In Da Club," has been No. 1 around town for weeks.
Across the country, the Flames grabbed headlines at the expense of other big stories, including the national election.
Crowds along 17th Avenue grew after each game, even losses. Young women sparked outrage among some locals by baring breasts to the crowd, photos of which became Internet fodder. The police presence increased, but there were few arrests.
Many watched Game Seven on big-screen TVs set up outside bars along the strip or in coffee shops -- even in a hair salon. Disappointment over the loss was short-lived.
Mayor Dave Bronconnier ventured into the Red Mile throng, estimated as high as 40,000 after the game, and said Calgarians were still ecstatic the team beat the odds.
"Look around -- we couldn't be more proud of the Calgary Flames," he said.
...AND THIS IS WHAT TAMPA IS ALL ABOUT,,,,,,,,IN A CITY THAT HAS HUNDREDS OF OTHER THINGS TO DO BESIDES FOLLOW JUST HOCKEY!!
From Loserville to Titletown: Tampa rejoiced the Tampa Bay Lightning's ascent to NHL champs from hockey doormats.
``They're going to do it!'' screamed Bolts fan Mark Lippstreuer as the final seconds ticked off. ``This is the best thing for Tampa and for hockey ever!''
A minute shy of 11 p.m., the Forum announcer introduced the Stanley Cup, and the arena packed with more than 22,000 yelling fans roared with approval.
``It's electric in here,'' screamed John Shanaughsy in Section 122. ``You have to be inside here to understand it. It's awesome.''
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said: ``It's exciting for the fans of Tampa, this city is fast becoming a great hockey town''
They celebrated outside, too. Wall to wall, thousands of cheering Lightning faithful let loose primal screams of joy as the beer flowed - and flowed and flew.
Earlier, pandemonium reigned outside the St. Pete Times Forum when officials decided to close off entry to the outdoor plaza after a fire marshal declared the crowd too big. Police estimates ranged from 25,000 to 30,000 fans clustered around big screens on the east and west sides of the building.
``Let us in! Let us in!'' the angry fans screamed, as mounted police tried to maintain control.
``We can't get in. It's screwed up, and it's the last game,'' said Josh Carroll, 20, of Mulberry.
Another fan, Mike Gilman, 33, of Tampa, said, ``They're trying to sell season tickets, and they won't even let their hard-core fans in here.''
On the plaza under the stars and the warm Florida air, Kathy Shain, 44, of Vero Beach, waved white pompoms lit with blue sparklers. She made the long drive to Tampa to watch Saturday's playoff game, too.
Tim Reynolds, 39, of Tampa, said he was a huge fan, but he had other pressing concerns.
``My biggest problem is there's nowhere to go to the bathroom,'' he said. ``You go out and you can't get back in.''
Nick Kerzman and Nicole Johnson of Tampa made it into the Forum before game time, but headed to Ybor City after what they described as almost being trampled by the crowd.
``It was pretty scary,'' Johnson said, ``but people are excited, so anything can happen. We weren't going to let that stop us from cheering the Bolts on.''
Added Kerzman: ``The Bolts really helped put Tampa on the map as an up-and-coming city. This is really going to help attract young professionals to this area who think Tampa is just a city with beaches.''
Jeanne Roberts drove two hours from Winter Haven because ``the exhilarating, exciting edge of my recliner brought me here. I couldn't watch it at home. I couldn't take it. I had to be here,'' she said.
At Barnacles in Brandon, at least 500 fans packed the restaurant, festooned with 459 televisions, fewer than two dozen of which were tuned to something besides hockey.
One group of friends arrived at 4:30 p.m. hoping to get their usual table, but the boisterous crowd squeezed them out.
Keith Adams, 31, of Mulberry, couldn't believe it. ``Look, it's packed already,'' he blurted. Adams, who works at Tampa International Airport, is a die-hard fan. ``They made me go broke, I've missed so much work,'' he said.
A buddy, Michael Kelley, 34, of Seffner, left before the game started, then reappeared at 8 p.m. with a teddy bear clad in a Lightning jersey. His name: ``Habby-bearlin'' after the Lightning's Russian goalie.
As skies darkened, some fans imagined they saw portents.
James Thorpe, 27 of New Porty Richey said: ``We saw the lightning out there. That's the sign.''
Tampa police Capt. Marion Lewis, who headed security for the game, said three arrests were made by about 11:45 p.m. Not bad for that size crowd, he said.
From Loserville to Titletown: Tampa rejoiced the Tampa Bay Lightning's ascent to NHL champs from hockey doormats.
``They're going to do it!'' screamed Bolts fan Mark Lippstreuer as the final seconds ticked off. ``This is the best thing for Tampa and for hockey ever!''
A minute shy of 11 p.m., the Forum announcer introduced the Stanley Cup, and the arena packed with more than 22,000 yelling fans roared with approval.
``It's electric in here,'' screamed John Shanaughsy in Section 122. ``You have to be inside here to understand it. It's awesome.''
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said: ``It's exciting for the fans of Tampa, this city is fast becoming a great hockey town''
They celebrated outside, too. Wall to wall, thousands of cheering Lightning faithful let loose primal screams of joy as the beer flowed - and flowed and flew.
Earlier, pandemonium reigned outside the St. Pete Times Forum when officials decided to close off entry to the outdoor plaza after a fire marshal declared the crowd too big. Police estimates ranged from 25,000 to 30,000 fans clustered around big screens on the east and west sides of the building.
``Let us in! Let us in!'' the angry fans screamed, as mounted police tried to maintain control.
``We can't get in. It's screwed up, and it's the last game,'' said Josh Carroll, 20, of Mulberry.
Another fan, Mike Gilman, 33, of Tampa, said, ``They're trying to sell season tickets, and they won't even let their hard-core fans in here.''
On the plaza under the stars and the warm Florida air, Kathy Shain, 44, of Vero Beach, waved white pompoms lit with blue sparklers. She made the long drive to Tampa to watch Saturday's playoff game, too.
Tim Reynolds, 39, of Tampa, said he was a huge fan, but he had other pressing concerns.
``My biggest problem is there's nowhere to go to the bathroom,'' he said. ``You go out and you can't get back in.''
Nick Kerzman and Nicole Johnson of Tampa made it into the Forum before game time, but headed to Ybor City after what they described as almost being trampled by the crowd.
``It was pretty scary,'' Johnson said, ``but people are excited, so anything can happen. We weren't going to let that stop us from cheering the Bolts on.''
Added Kerzman: ``The Bolts really helped put Tampa on the map as an up-and-coming city. This is really going to help attract young professionals to this area who think Tampa is just a city with beaches.''
Jeanne Roberts drove two hours from Winter Haven because ``the exhilarating, exciting edge of my recliner brought me here. I couldn't watch it at home. I couldn't take it. I had to be here,'' she said.
At Barnacles in Brandon, at least 500 fans packed the restaurant, festooned with 459 televisions, fewer than two dozen of which were tuned to something besides hockey.
One group of friends arrived at 4:30 p.m. hoping to get their usual table, but the boisterous crowd squeezed them out.
Keith Adams, 31, of Mulberry, couldn't believe it. ``Look, it's packed already,'' he blurted. Adams, who works at Tampa International Airport, is a die-hard fan. ``They made me go broke, I've missed so much work,'' he said.
A buddy, Michael Kelley, 34, of Seffner, left before the game started, then reappeared at 8 p.m. with a teddy bear clad in a Lightning jersey. His name: ``Habby-bearlin'' after the Lightning's Russian goalie.
As skies darkened, some fans imagined they saw portents.
James Thorpe, 27 of New Porty Richey said: ``We saw the lightning out there. That's the sign.''
Tampa police Capt. Marion Lewis, who headed security for the game, said three arrests were made by about 11:45 p.m. Not bad for that size crowd, he said.
I agree. Boston would be right there after Montreal if the MORON Jeremy Jacobs would sell the team. I really wish everyone would boycott Bruins games until he sells.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FISHHEAD:
Best hockey towns.........
Montreal
Toronto
Detroit<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FISHHEAD:
Best hockey towns.........
Montreal
Toronto
Detroit<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
sportsavant, it was not TB that the tickets were 2 for 10 beans, it was in Sunrise, where the Panthers play.. We actually wanted to go to TB so badly because the habs just finished playing FLA on tues, and were in TB on thurs.. But then we asked for directions and they told us that TB was close to 4 hrs by car from where we were, so we said, f uck it. At that time, I would have felt like a real loser driving 8 hrs to see a boring habs game. It was almost like driving to Toronto from here to see a game, we would never do that, so why do it there. Plus, the weather was so great and we did not feel like spending 8 hrs in a car when we could be on a beach in 82 deg weather.
But i will say this, i swear, had we known that TB would win the CUP, we would have definitely gone.. I kinda regret not going. I would have loved to have seen TB and maybe even would have met the fishman..
But i will say this, i swear, had we known that TB would win the CUP, we would have definitely gone.. I kinda regret not going. I would have loved to have seen TB and maybe even would have met the fishman..
looking at average attendance of all teams thanks to that espn link, i see TB ranked 11th in total home seats sold - with all 11 above them ranking higher in percentage of seast sold and of the 18 teams below them, 5 teams below them had a higher percentage of seats sold than TB (EDM) isn't listed attendance wise but their tickets sold per home game is a tad less - but i believe their building is a lot smaller so their percentage is higher.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sick gambler:
winkydinky, dont forget to bring some extra cash for me at the rx bash (our bet)... i will turn your money into a big score at the BJ table. thanks again winkydinky, its been fun...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
i went 5-0 +6.40 units in the Cup finals alone. trust me - i made more than enough to pay for your hand of BJ - and many, many, many more!
winkydinky, dont forget to bring some extra cash for me at the rx bash (our bet)... i will turn your money into a big score at the BJ table. thanks again winkydinky, its been fun...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
i went 5-0 +6.40 units in the Cup finals alone. trust me - i made more than enough to pay for your hand of BJ - and many, many, many more!
