When does Calgary start getting excited about this team?

[united]

As a season ticket holder, this has been the most difficult year in the past decade in terms of selling tickets I can't use. Thankfully I've only had one game I haven't been able to sell at all, but most I've had to sell at below cost - but not much lower. Even a young and exciting team who is exceeding expectations isn't enough to bring the casual fans back - you need to make the playoffs for that to happen, I think.

Perhaps other season ticket holders have had different experiences, but that's mine.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

This is something I've struggled with. Because the results for the past few years mattered so much less, I found myself not living and dying by wins and losses, and sort of letting go of the emotional part of being a fan. The smart fan in me knew that losing in the short term could mean more success in the long term, so getting emotionally invested in wins and losses was counter-intuitive.

I found myself in a similar situation last year, although in a different way. I knew the team should have been losing in the first year of the rebuild, but they'd so often come away with a great W. Every win was bittersweet based on the Sam Reinhart hype my buddies were giving me. It didn't help that Sven was sent down to the minors, which has to hurt the confidence of a rebuild among casuals, when he was supposed to be the faint glimmer of hope.

I think that the 2014 season ended up being an almost perfect-case scenario end to the season though, with the flames turning into a pretty exciting team and even getting Bennett in the draft. I'm glad the Islanders finished their 2014 season on a 3-game win streak to gift us Bennett. The only thing I may, maybe not would have done differently would been to send Monahan back to Junior and not waste a year of his ELC. I was worried it would slow down his development as he definitely had some issues to his game, but this year he proved me all wrong and his development just jetted him forward (and meanwhile McKinnon has regressed ). Makes me really wonder if we'll see Granlund take a similar leap next season.

The fact that the flames never had to truly tank, yet have filled out their prospects to respectable status is something that I could't even fathom last time they were competitive (Iginla-era), even right now with them in the #8 playoff spot in the west. Gaudreau isn't just a good rookie, but he's playing like a star veteran. Monahan looks like the next Jonathan Toews. Backlund is looking like a legit #2 center - and yet we're projecting him as a #3. Brodie... where did he come from and where is he headed?

I don't blame any casual fan for stopping to pay attention. It was more than just the team being momentarily bad, but them not looking like they had a future a few years ago. Especially not WRT goaltending, which is such a gamble.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

But the quality of the on ice product is vastly improved, despite paying less for the players.

matter of principle, team is playing better...still how many teams in the NHL have fewer established stars on their roster.


the decision to bump prices was made long before the season even started, at the very least they could have held steady in a year like this

before anyone says "supply and demand" realize that demand is down

Playoffs should help, not sure if getting pounded by Anaheim in the first round would help much though



for the record I am extremely happy with the direction of the team, just ideas why the city isn't going crazy just yet...Remember the Flames still weren't "cool" in 2004 until they won a round

[CsInMyBlood]

In 2004, on the day of game one, I was working as a courier downtown, so I was all over the core all day. I wore my Flames jersey and saw ONE other guy wearing a jersey. Seemed crazy to me because we hadn't qualified for the playoffs in seven years.

My friend owns Melrose place. We walked in 30 minutes before the game, many seats were available. There were more Canucks fans in that place that night. When the series hit game seven, thats when it finally brought the crowds for the game.

After we beat the Canucks in round one it was pretty much impossible to get into Melrose unless you were there 2 or more hours early. I was lucky of course because we always had seats reserved. Suddenly you didn't see a person that wasn't wearing a Flames jersey, hat or t-shirt.

We saw it on this very board too. The run of 2004 brought a lot of new members.

Flames win a round and you will see them all come out of the woodwork.

[AcGold]

When they make the playoffs. So many people get into it for the social aspect and don't really appreciate hockey the sport.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by smalltownref

I have my own personal take on this. Now take it for what it's worth... I only have a quarter share of seasons tickets to the Flames, so I make it to roughly 10 games a season, and not all the games by any stretch, but I have noticed something.

IMO, over the last few years what I have noticed is that unless it's a real exciting game or the boys are going on a good winning stretch, the dome doesn't seem electric. It takes Harvey to bang on his drum to get a 'Go Flames Go' chant from the whole crowd, and even then it typically only lasts for a few seconds. You hear the 'GFG' chant from the crowd and it dies out very quickly, which is kind of sad. The same thing goes for the Stamps games too... it takes an extremely close finish against a bitter rival to get the fans on their feet at a game and cheering loud against the opposition.

I will qualify this by saying I don't get to as many games as I'm sure some do here. I usually try to get to 5-10. But I've noticed the opposite. At least as compared to the last few seasons. No comparison to 04 and the 5 subsequent years, but the (seemingly) lack of enthusiasm from the players in the early 2010's made the place which was once the most feared building in the league into a library. What I've noticed:

When the team is pushing with a few good shifts, the chants start and the buzz in the building gets pretty exciting. Especially at the end of tight games as per our improbable amount of comebacks. It seems to give the players an extra gear and they have cited as much a few times.

Maybe it's just because I'm personally enjoying the hockey more than since I can remember, but I think the Dome is picking back up. If we make the playoffs, it will once again be a madhouse.

[polak]

Shhh!

I love being able to hop on here on game day and scoop up some tickets for below face value. I'll probably have been to more games this season then all other years of living in Calgary combined.

I am starting to feel the hype build up a bit though. People are actually cheering at the bar when Calgary scores. I'd say the last few years, the games would be on but no one was really watching. We'll see it full force if we make the playoffs.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by united

As a season ticket holder, this has been the most difficult year in the past decade in terms of selling tickets I can't use. Thankfully I've only had one game I haven't been able to sell at all, but most I've had to sell at below cost - but not much lower. Even a young and exciting team who is exceeding expectations isn't enough to bring the casual fans back - you need to make the playoffs for that to happen, I think.

Perhaps other season ticket holders have had different experiences, but that's mine.

I had a much harder time selling tickets last season. Most of the games I couldn't attend were sold below cost. I have only sold below cost a few times this season. This season I have probably sold about 8 games on the NHL Ticket Exchange, all at my cost. The rest, my neighbor at the Dome seems to have someone interested.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Yep, dusting off your Iginla jersey and expecting him to be playing with us still.

There are bandwagon fans everywhere unfortunately. Arizona barely has any fans, but had miraculous turnouts to the playoff games.

I resent that...I was wearing my Iggy jersey to the pub Saturday night!

And on that point, I find it very hard to even find pubs/bars that are willing to put the sound on for the Flames game. Even the ones that seem to have a particular focus on the game might have 1 or 2 people wearing a jersey.

I think a lot of casuals are still on a wait and see approach with the team. Are they really good, or will they falter down the stretch? If we get into the playoffs you'll see a lot more of those Iginla jerseys.

I've come to accept bandwagon fans as a part of sports. Doesn't really bother me, but I do wish the general support by some of the businesses (like at pubs/sports bars) was stronger, even just to get sound put on for the games. Shouldn't be that tough to go for a couple pints and watch the home team.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by smalltownref

I have my own personal take on this. Now take it for what it's worth... I only have a quarter share of seasons tickets to the Flames, so I make it to roughly 10 games a season, and not all the games by any stretch, but I have noticed something.

IMO, over the last few years what I have noticed is that unless it's a real exciting game or the boys are going on a good winning stretch, the dome doesn't seem electric. It takes Harvey to bang on his drum to get a 'Go Flames Go' chant from the whole crowd, and even then it typically only lasts for a few seconds. You hear the 'GFG' chant from the crowd and it dies out very quickly, which is kind of sad. The same thing goes for the Stamps games too... it takes an extremely close finish against a bitter rival to get the fans on their feet at a game and cheering loud against the opposition.

Why is this? Feel free to agrue with me on this one, but I attribute it to one reason. Corporations purchasing the Flames tickets. After the economy took off, it seems like companies really started coming in and purchasing tickets up. With excess cash to spend, they want to be able to treat their employees and customers as thanks for doing business with them. The problem? More often than not, these are not avid Flames fans. Or, even if they are avid flames fans, they are most likely at the game talking business instead of really enjoying the game. So there just coincidently doesn't seem to be a buzz at the dome these days. It has turned more into a 'corporate party' if anything. This is why the prices have stayed up, and a lot of the ticket advertising you see are for the 'top shelf experience' or to 'see hockey differently', all of which is definitely targeted towards the upper echelon of incomes. Only once the Flames make the playoffs do I think the Dome will get back to being an unbelievable exciting environement, but until then, I can't see it happening.

The dome has been rocking this year, not sure where you are coming from. I've been to 10-12 games already and for the most part the crowd has been electric. Borderline playoff loud.

[JohnnySkittles]

Once playoff hockey happens.

[calgarybean]

I've been pretty excited since the first 10. Hard work and effort was all I was hoping for. Meaningful games in February is just gravy. Going to my first game of the season on Wednesday so looking forward to hearing the noise.

If the Flames were to clinch a spot...that is when I think you really see some outside the 'Dome emotions going on. Never mind if we win a game.

[FlamesAddiction]

As an out of town Flames fan, this thread surprises me. I had no idea that people in Calgary weren't excited about what the team is doing right now. I assumed there would be a lot of excitement among both hardcore and casual fans.

I know people here in Ontario that are either Leaf or Canadien fans, and they have sort of adopted the Flames as a back-up team to pay attention to because of this season.

[Vinny01]

This team is the best to watch since 2008/2009 in my opinion when the Flames made a splash at the deadline and were talked amongst the leagues elite.

This is the 6th season since then and there were some really tough years there. Last year everyone was on board with years of suffering. Last year was pretty much that. They were a really exciting team but still finished bottom 4 (they were 10pts up on the Oilers though who were bottom 3)

This year has been insane. I have been to 8-9 games and I have noticed the Done is louder than it was in years past. I was at a couple big comebacks (NJ, Colorado) and the 2 quick goals by Johnny which were very loud nights.

I do think there is a large portion of the fanbase thst think this thing is still going to fall off the rails and in year 2 we pick 12th-14th instead of 1-3rd like many were secretly hoping for.

I think there is a lot of positive buzz on about the team. Once they lock down a playoff spot though I thibk the city will hear up and if they win a round the Red Mile will return

[Enoch Root]

I'm finding that, among fans, there's a very positive attitude but no real expectation of success yet. More of a 'things are going in the right direction' vibe than a 'let's jump on the bandwagon' vibe.

Until there's a bandwagon circling out front, the non-fans aren't going to be excited.

[malcolmk14]

Starting to hear a bit more chatter now that we're past the All Star break and we're still in a playoff spot! I think starting now there will be more & more talk, and if the Flames make the playoffs there will be a lot of excitement.

[Lil Pedro]

I think people are still cautiously optimistic on this team; they still see them as a rebuilding team that should have a top 5 pick this summer as opposed to being in the second wild card spot. That said, people love talking about how surprising this team is, so I feel the excitement starting to build. I went to the Buffalo game on tuesday and the place was dead (granted they were playing Buffalo), but when they took control in the third I thought the place was loud and the energy was great. Work hard and give the fans something the cheer about the Dome is alive

[Dion]

I think there is cautious optimism amongst the fan base. They're excited about what the team has done do far but at the same time are hesitant to talk about a possible playoff spot.

Fans are probably savouring what the team is doing and enjoying the ride.

[Phil Russell]

Good thread. Just a note about bandwagoner vs. "real" fans. As far as I am concerned, anyone who wants to be a fan can be a fan. Some of us put a lot of time into being a fan, others don't and it takes more to get them excited about the team. That's fine by me. The more fans the merrier. And hey, maybe the idle fan has more important things to do with their time and money. Indeed, during darker days, haven't we all also wondered if we shouldn't be obsessing over something else?

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

As an out of town Flames fan, this thread surprises me. I had no idea that people in Calgary weren't excited about what the team is doing right now. I assumed there would be a lot of excitement among both hardcore and casual fans.

I know people here in Ontario that are either Leaf or Canadien fans, and they have sort of adopted the Flames as a back-up team to pay attention to because of this season.

Cool