2nd Round AHL North Division Finals - Hamilton Bulldogs (1) vs. Abbotsford Heat (3) - Page 9 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

goodyear · 05-10-2010, 09:01 AM

I'll be first in line for season tickets to the Cochrane Heat

dfsflamesfan · 05-10-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muta

If the Heat move to accomodate NHL / AHL reshuffling, I want our AHL boys in Whitehorse or Yellowknife.

I don't really know why, other than it would be funny.

Imagine having a Whitehorse Heat or Yellowknife Flames.
It would be so wierd IMO.

coldraptors · 05-10-2010, 01:47 PM

More images from Heat facebook fanpage!!

Resolute 14 · 05-10-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter

Canucks didn't play last nite, so, what's the excuse for the lousy attendance?

I hate to keep harping on this, but it is very common in the minor leagues to have low attendance in the playoffs. First two home games for each team this series:

Hamilton pulled in 1896 and 2844
Albany had 2073 and 1871
Manchester had 2606 and 3343
Chicago had 3576 and 3732
Texas had 3046 and 3017
Abbotsford had 2556 and 2631
Worchester had 1360 and 1510
Hershey had 7610 and 7409

Compare to regular season averages:

Hamilton 4374
Albany 3751
Manchester 5293
Chicago 7963
Texas 5355
Abbotsford 3897
Worchester 3672
Hershey 9520

Everyone is down by very large percentages from the regular season, and Abbotsford's numbers are not out of line with anyone else, save Hershey.

Flamesguy_SJ · 05-10-2010, 07:46 PM

^^Yeah, I remember the last time Saint John was in the playoffs, our first home game drew something like 1300 people. Compare that to the final game of the playoffs, which was beyond capacity at somewhere around 7,000 (Harbour Station had seating for 6,153 at the time).

Torture · 05-10-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I hate to keep harping on this, but it is very common in the minor leagues to have low attendance in the playoffs. First two home games for each team this series:

So weird, I wonder why that is.

Gravitykillr · 05-10-2010, 08:01 PM

Congrats to the Heat on a good First Season.

kirant · 05-10-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravitykillr

Congrats to the Heat on a good First Season.

On attendance? Or did they lose the series already (I think the game is tonight...)?

Ren · 05-10-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirant

On attendance? Or did they lose the series already (I think the game is tonight...)?

They lost 4-0.

kirant · 05-10-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ren

They lost 4-0.

Aw...too bad. Sounds like they'll only get better next year though.

Resolute 14 · 05-10-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torture

So weird, I wonder why that is.

Lack of group sales and lack of corporate tickets, especially the latter. Companies budget $x for tickets to support the community team, treat employees and use as a tax write off (probably). They buy season tickets, but don't pick up the playoff tickets.

Caged Great · 05-10-2010, 08:58 PM

I know personally, if the Heat were in Calgary, I would go see the occasional game, where I wouldn't go to any Hitmen games.

Maybe they should look at moving them here if things don't work in BC

Vulcan · 05-10-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ren

They lost 4-0.

http://www.abbotsfordheat.com/ViewAr...CLID=204943801

Resolute 14 · 05-11-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I know personally, if the Heat were in Calgary, I would go see the occasional game, where I wouldn't go to any Hitmen games.

Maybe they should look at moving them here if things don't work in BC

I'm completely the opposite. The AHL is a poor copy of the NHL. Junior is something different.

Hanna Sniper · 05-11-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I'm completely the opposite. The AHL is a poor copy of the NHL. Junior is something different.

I would much rather have a OHL team here then a AHL team. The only time I have ever went to a Canucks/Bulldogs game has been when the Heat, Quad City or Saint John came to town

As a Flames fan why the hell would I want to support the farm team of the Canucks, Oilers, Canadiens. I for one miss the Dukes of Hamilton and Steelhawks and welcome the day the AHL leaves and opens the door for the OHL back here... I'll be buying seasons tickets the second afterward

Muta · 05-11-2010, 10:28 PM

I'd rather go to an AHL game, but that's just me. I get to see NHL'ers, developing prospects, and what-could-have-been's all in the same rink.

D_J · 05-11-2010, 11:30 PM

Good season for the Heat, it was a great product for the local fans and they pushed hard against a very good team in the Bulldogs.

I used to have season tickets to the WHL Chilliwack Bruins and due to increasing demands on my time couldn't commit to season tickets for any franchise let alone both. I took in games from both teams this year and in the end I was very impressed with the quality of hockey the AHL brought to town. I am a huge WHL fan but if push came to shove the AHL gave more bang for the buck... The professional game played by men was simply much better than a developmental game played by teenagers.

Looking back after season one I am not sure about the viability of this franchise in Abbotsford though. They lost money which has to be picked up by us the local taxpayer.

It was talked about on Team 1040 today about the possibility of the Canucks farm team moving here if the Jets go back to Winnipeg (with the Heat moving to Saskatoon).

Although I enjoyed having the Heat here and will continue to support them in the future the simple fact is that the Flames are public enemy number one in these parts and if there is a way to make that swap it would likely have a huge impact in the long term success of the AHL on the west coast...

PeteMoss · 05-13-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_J

There was local talk amongst hockey circles (rumours only, no good sources that I can quote) about the Moose moving to Abbotsford if the NHL gets back into Winnipeg and the Heat going down to Phoenix. No idea if there is validity to this. If the Canucks farm team came to Abby they would be very successful ...

Is this true though?

Its not like the Marlies draw at all despite being in the same city/area.... The Phantoms moved from Philadelphia... the AHL is just a hard sell in most markets. The Oilers didn't even try to go head up with their farm team after the lockout ended...People want to see the best... even with the WHL its the best 16-19 year old junior players... the AHL is still 2nd tier behind the NHL.

The only way it really works is if the city gets behind the team (i.e. cheer for the jersey)... no matter who the team is affliated with. Would you really go out of your way to see the Moose 40 times a year... its not like there's a bunch of future Canuck stars down there.

Vinny01 · 05-14-2010, 03:44 PM

Don't you think it makes sense for Calgary and Edmonton's farm teams to play in Saskatoon and Regina?

JiriHrdina · 05-14-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Don't you think it makes sense for Calgary and Edmonton's farm teams to play in Saskatoon and Regina?

I think we assume people will be interested in AHL hockey because we are die-hard Flames fans that follow the prospects. But the reality is that for most minor pro hockey has very little appeal and probably less than junior hockey - particularly in established WHL markets.