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Post by coldpooch on Oct 13, 2007 7:56:58 GMT -5
Once the cold weather hits, attendance may go down. Many people won't want to take the 10 min walk from the low level lot to the arena. They better get a shuttle service once the cold weather hits. Do you have a mini van?  Well by all of the negative postings regarding this and that, I think this team should move to North Bay where they really want a team. Lord Thundering Jesus people will you please get over the parking thing and just deal with it.  |
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Post by hockey123 on Oct 13, 2007 9:19:49 GMT -5
Then leave a few minutes earlier. There are two decent size lots at the top of the hill. People that want to watch hockey will show uo regardless. The question is, is there enough people in the region that want to watch hockey?
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Post by chooch on Oct 13, 2007 9:54:31 GMT -5
When the cold stuff hits then that is when we will see exactly what kind of solid fan base this team has. I've been to plenty of Thunder and Flyers games in real crappy weather where there was 2000 plus fans so the winter will show us how badly the area wants to have an OHL team. If you don't want to walk in snow then what are you doing living in Canada? Those who can't walk for whatever reason can still arrange to be dropped off and picked up at the front. There's always a way if you want to go badly enough, stop making excuses.
And BTW coldpooch, it's Lord Tunderin Jesus. ;D
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Post by 2manystripes on Oct 13, 2007 10:09:39 GMT -5
Can someone tell us what is the break down cost of a Ice Dog regular game,i.e. sides, ends and standing. Also how much more will it cost in the playoffs.One thing for sure regarding attendance is that one of the st.catharines teams will benefit at the end.If the dogs get eliminated early the falcons will fill the house in the play offs and if the falcons get knocked out early the same will hold true for the dogs.
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Post by hockey123 on Oct 13, 2007 10:53:13 GMT -5
The OHL regular season ends about 3 weeks after the Jr B season. I would think if the Icedogs make it to the second round the GHL playoffs would be almost done.
I believe tickets are 17 for sides, 16 for ends and 12 for standing room. You can only buy the standing room seats once the others are gone.
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Post by Kevin on Oct 13, 2007 22:23:49 GMT -5
Then leave a few minutes earlier. There are two decent size lots at the top of the hill. People that want to watch hockey will show up regardless. Very true, and I would suspect the 2000 people that are showing up are the ones that really do want to watch hockey. However, to expand the fan base, you need good amenities like good parking and comfortable seating. Otherwise you won't attract the casual fan. |
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Post by charger on Oct 14, 2007 16:51:53 GMT -5
The crowd was good today oct 14 against Guelph 2,284. I heard the tickets for London game thursday oct 18 are going fast i am sure the crowds wil keep going up if the team is winning has for new seats we have to wait for next season.
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Post by chooch on Oct 14, 2007 17:25:16 GMT -5
Why would the London tickets be going fast? The Knights aren't doing anything this year.
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Post by dogfan on Oct 14, 2007 21:23:54 GMT -5
I would agree that London shouldn't be a big draw this year. However I think this explains a lot. Not many people in the region know much about this league. They remember they heard something about London so they come out. It's up to the media in the region to let people know who these kids are and who's coming to town.
Once they learn I think attendance will continue to go up.
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Post by charger on Oct 14, 2007 21:36:54 GMT -5
i think it the trade the icedogs made with london i hope for a pcaked house to welcome beljo to show him what he missing here in niagara
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Post by jrbfan on Oct 14, 2007 22:04:18 GMT -5
From dogfan: "They (fans) remember they heard something about London so they come out."
Dogfan has a decent point. In comparison, I would think I am more on the ball about the league (read the OHL website, this forum, the NOOF, have season tickets) than the typical average fair-weather everyday fan. Having said this, I purchased an extra 4 tickets (for family) at the beginning of the year for a few extra games this year, the Knights game being one of them.
I was anticipating London to be a top contender with Mason, Gagner, Kane (so much for them) and Mr Hunter, as well as their season from last year. I would think that the average fan would have marked this game on their calendar, along with the Oshawa game.
So there very well could be a decent Thurs night crowd; we'll see in a few days!!
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Post by back2back on Oct 14, 2007 23:27:39 GMT -5
I think they need to look at their game nights. Thursday is not great since the kids have to go to school the next morning. The Thurday game on the 4th had a decent crowd because the kids had the day off school the next day. However last Thursday there was only 2000 in attendance. On Sundays we're competing with football and a lot of people schedule family time for Sundays. I guess you could say they could have family time at the IceDogs game but how many people can even afford to bring thier family to the game. A family of 4 would cost 4X$16=$64 plus $5 each for food and your looking at a minimum of $85.
Would Saturday be a better night? Of course, your competing against the leafs. Friday is really the only good night. No school the next day, no hockey night in Canada and no football.
The other major problem is parking and it will get worse in the winter.
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Post by dogfan on Oct 15, 2007 11:17:40 GMT -5
Not every team can have Fridays as a home date. I'd love to have the Dogs have Fridays, but there is the league and the Falcons that present that problem. If the league will let them play on Fridays the smart thing to do next season is move the Falcons to the four-pad and let the IceDogs play Fridays. The Falcons don't need more then 1000 for seats and they get a newer arena. If the IceDogs get a new building they aren't taking the Falcons with them and Gatecliff isn't going to last another 10 years so they have to move eventually anyway. They can both play Fridays. I don't think there is that much crossover with fans.
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Post by hockey123 on Oct 15, 2007 13:27:43 GMT -5
Both teams would suffer playing on the same night. I would think if the Dogs took Friday, the Falcons would change their home date. T
That new rink is a joke. Worst place I've ever been to watch a game. Not Sure why you think the Falcons and Dogs wouldn't share a new arena if one was built?
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Post by niagarafan12 on Oct 15, 2007 18:54:06 GMT -5
So let me get this straight...We moaned for years that we wanted an OHL team here.....but....its not in my city so I wont go.....I might have to walk 7 or 8 min (I walk that far for Canuck games)....The arena is old (Yes it is...I go to watch the game)....Its too hot...cold..rainy.....snowy....so I wont go.....The games are on the wrong day (Have to watch NFL-Leafs-Sabres-College Football).....Cost is too high....( Have already started the "When will they leave watch)....With all the people that wanted a team...The Jack should be overflowing.....Maybe I'm wrong....Hope I'm wrong....Prove me wrong Niagara
Yes I'm a season ticket holder
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Post by groulxisright on Oct 15, 2007 19:44:02 GMT -5
Not every team can have Fridays as a home date. I'd love to have the Dogs have Fridays, but there is the league and the Falcons that present that problem. If the league will let them play on Fridays the smart thing to do next season is move the Falcons to the four-pad and let the IceDogs play Fridays. The Falcons don't need more then 1000 for seats and they get a newer arena. If the IceDogs get a new building they aren't taking the Falcons with them and Gatecliff isn't going to last another 10 years so they have to move eventually anyway. They can both play Fridays. I don't think there is that much crossover with fans. If any city, be it St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland put one dime into this supposed new building you can be sure that city's JrB will be sharing the facilities if they so choose. Using St. Catharines as the example, the Falcons would play there as well, although I will concede the point that they would prbably lose their strangle-hold on all Friday nights. |
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Post by groulxisright on Oct 15, 2007 19:50:12 GMT -5
So let me get this straight...We moaned for years that we wanted an OHL team here.....but....its not in my city so I wont go.....I might have to walk 7 or 8 min (I walk that far for Canuck games)....The arena is old (Yes it is...I go to watch the game)....Its too hot...cold..rainy.....snowy....so I wont go.....The games are on the wrong day (Have to watch NFL-Leafs-Sabres-College Football).....Cost is too high....( Have already started the "When will they leave watch)....With all the people that wanted a team...The Jack should be overflowing.....Maybe I'm wrong....Hope I'm wrong....Prove me wrong Niagara Yes I'm a season ticket holder These are all issue that would be solved with a new building. Ironically the new owner is going to have to solve these issues and fill this building on a regular bases if he ever hopes to get a new building. Here are the 3 biggest mistakes I think he has made: No kids or seniors pricing Too many live broadcasts in a new market Bad start times for Sundays. If a person has to work a 7-3 shift they can't go. A 4 o'clock start time would allow them to attend, although a 4pm start time does make dinner time become an issue. |
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Post by chooch on Oct 15, 2007 21:04:14 GMT -5
In a region with over 400,000 people, those issues should be non issues. A proper building is the only missing piece of the puzzle, not ticket prices or live broadcasts. People need to understand that as long as the team plays in a small rink then the kids or seniors will have to pay the same as everyone else just to help pay the bills. When we get a building with at least 4500 seats then I can see the discounts coming to them, but it would probably be financial suicide for the club to offer discounts at the Jack.
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Post by zeus on Oct 15, 2007 21:55:26 GMT -5
So let me get this straight...We moaned for years that we wanted an OHL team here.....but....its not in my city so I wont go.....I might have to walk 7 or 8 min (I walk that far for Canuck games)....The arena is old (Yes it is...I go to watch the game)....Its too hot...cold..rainy.....snowy....so I wont go.....The games are on the wrong day (Have to watch NFL-Leafs-Sabres-College Football).....Cost is too high....( Have already started the "When will they leave watch)....With all the people that wanted a team...The Jack should be overflowing.....Maybe I'm wrong....Hope I'm wrong....Prove me wrong Niagara Yes I'm a season ticket holder These are all issue that would be solved with a new building. Ironically the new owner is going to have to solve these issues and fill this building on a regular bases if he ever hopes to get a new building. Here are the 3 biggest mistakes I think he has made: No kids or seniors pricing Too many live broadcasts in a new market Bad start times for Sundays. If a person has to work a 7-3 shift they can't go. A 4 o'clock start time would allow them to attend, although a 4pm start time does make dinner time become an issue. One other item you missed, The lack of advertising and presence in other Niagara Region cities. 8 players signing autographs at Boston Pizza on Ontario St is a great start but why not have the Icedog players go to other communities. They should pick locations in Welland, NFalls, Fort Erie etc to also send players. Advertise in the 3 local newspapers not just the Standard. Bill Burke is assuming that residents in other Regional cities subscribe to the Standard....not the case. I pick up the 3 Regional newspapers because I like to read local news in the three cities and I have not as yet seen advertising in the Review or the Tribune, only the Standard. I'm a season ticket holder and my biggest fear is Burke ends up losing more than he feels he should and pulls out. It's easy for him to honour the arena lease..What is it $2.00/month. Unfortunately if Bill Burke keeps the team's presence only in St Catharines, the IceDogs will not survive...evidence the Black Hawks, Fincups and the Thunder. All of these teams had a presence only in St Catharines and Niagara Falls and I think that is a recipe for failure. |
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Post by chooch on Oct 16, 2007 12:28:58 GMT -5
I have to agree with you zeus, treating the region like one large city is a must for the OHL to survive here in the long run. That should have started with holding pre-season games all around the region, not just St. Kitts. NF, Welland and Fort Erie all have rinks that would be suitable for pre-season matches and it would introduce the team to those communities.
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Post by dawgr on Oct 16, 2007 14:55:48 GMT -5
One thing for sure is; this is great hockey and extremely entertaining. If we get 500 more fans per game making it +/-2800, this will be the place to be to watch OHL hockey. The old barn was built to watch and play hockey in. I know it's 2007 and the rink has it's quirks and inconvieniences, but that adds to the charm. What an opportunity for fans. It's a great atmosphere. I urge all to go as fans, critics.
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Post by hockeyobserver on Oct 16, 2007 19:35:18 GMT -5
From dogfan: "They (fans) remember they heard something about London so they come out." Dogfan has a decent point. In comparison, I would think I am more on the ball about the league (read the OHL website, this forum, the NOOF, have season tickets) than the typical average fair-weather everyday fan. Having said this, I purchased an extra 4 tickets (for family) at the beginning of the year for a few extra games this year, the Knights game being one of them. I was anticipating London to be a top contender with Mason, Gagner, Kane (so much for them) and Mr Hunter, as well as their season from last year. I would think that the average fan would have marked this game on their calendar, along with the Oshawa game. So there very well could be a decent Thurs night crowd; we'll see in a few days!! mason is actually back.. should add some spice to londons team |
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Post by hockey123 on Oct 18, 2007 22:14:29 GMT -5
3145 tonight
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Post by charger on Oct 18, 2007 22:21:21 GMT -5
nice to see a sellout crowd tonight i am sure we will see more has the season goes on
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