PIMking - I understand your anger in having lost a team that you dedicated a lot of time, money and emotion into. However, to imply that Abby is a failed experiment based on what, 2 home games? Is a little bit ridiculous. I don't think your assesment of 6000 fans is correct and while neither of us know the details of the agreement that brought the Heat to Abbotsford, I would assume that the payments to fly teams out are a temporary cost, as opposed to a fixed cost. I agree that QC never had the opportunity to cheer for a winning team, but I can almost guarantee that if the Heat are within 1 point of making the playoffs, there will be some sold out nights. They have a very sofisticated media outlet (Country 107 FM on the radio and Nightly News available on Youtube).
Even for the 4500 some in the preseason (paying regular season prices) against the Moose, I did not get the sense that it was primarily Canucks fans or Flames fans. It felt a lot more like a lot of people supporting their home team. Obviously Moose goals were cheered for, but the Heat's were definitely more/louder. Cheering for the Heat is not cheering for the Flames, and I think if you would ask the average person/family that attended the game, they would agree. The one thing that will make a big difference early on (a luxury that QC, much to your frusteration did not have) is a big playoff run. Nothing creates fans better than some rivalries and playoffs.
On a personal level, I have nothing but respect and thanks for you supporting a team that we both cheered for, especially with said team having a lot of long nights. I think we are both upset that QC did not work out, but as a fan I cannot help but be optimistic that it will work out in Abbotsford. I respect your insight and hope for the best.
__________________
Go Flames Go
|
