[J epworth]

Darren Haynes of Canadian Press blogged about this today:

http://flamesfrom80feet.blogspot.ca/...in-flames.html

It happened quietly and without any fanfare during this Calgary Flames five-game home-stand that just ended. It wasn't announced to fans at the games nor mentioned to media covering the games. But it seems a stretch of consecutive sell-out crowds at the Saddledome that dated back over 10 years is now over -- officially.

we've also reached a point where just expecting people to flock back to the rink would be a mistake for the club. It's time for the sales and marketing folks to get down to business and find creative ways to get people back in the seats at the Dome. As they say, an empty seat doesn't buy any drinks, food, or Flames apparel.

I have no doubt that enthusiasm around the hockey club is high -- the talent in the pipeline is terrific, but the cold reality is people's disposable income is rarely at that same level as their interest level.

As well, with every game on television now, the comforts of the couch at home can be pretty appealing. The attraction of not having to drive anywhere, or pay anything to park, the appeal of $2 beers from the nearby bar fridge and that huge 60-inch high-definition television, it makes for a pretty cozy way to watch Johnny Hockey do his thing -- and on nights when he's creating magic, just hit rewind and watch him over and over and over again.