Heat home opener - anyone going?

[burnin_vernon]

Crowd only made noise for goals, hits and fights.
Not enough volume for goalie saves and absolutely no cheering when the Heat cleared the zone on the PK.
The score-clock did not once start any crowd chants or "let's make noise" stuff. Some people made a lame attempt at a "let's go he-eeat" chant, which, in itself, sounds lame. They should Stick to "Go Heat go".
Good representation for Flames jerseys, but overall, it almost felt like a reluctance to cheer for the Canuck's "enemies". I think it will change in time.

Goat horns to Aulie for a brutal giveaway that resulted in a SA goal. Also to Lundmark who should have cleared the zone before the tying goal went in. The Heat looked bagged in OT and were clearly playing to survive to get to a shootout.

Chucko was everywhere tonight and Keetley played well for what he was given. Let's hope the team hits the bikes tonight and have a little more energy tomorrow.

Oh, and the obese kid playing "paperboy" who went head over heels to break a mock fence, revealing a whole lot of ass crack to the crowd was the most entertaining intermission moment I've seen in some time.

And most importantly...free T-shirt and puck for me!

[QuadCityImages]

Originally Posted by PIMking

wow I dont want to poke fun at abby but only 5100? were we not told that they had like 4k in STH's? and for being opening night you figure they would sell out at least the first game.

Sutter cannot call these people dumb hockey people like he did in the qc.

I really hope the best for abby and I'm sure king and Co are tired of finding a new home for the AHL team every two years.

QC Flames' first home game attendance back in 2007: 7,548

Wonder where they'll play in 2011?

[burnin_vernon]

Originally Posted by QuadCityImages

QC Flames' first home game attendance back in 2007: 7,548

Wonder where they'll play in 2011?

Well, both the Giants and Bruins had home games last night if that has any bearing on attendance.

[Jetsfan]

Originally Posted by QuadCityImages

QC Flames' first home game attendance back in 2007: 7,548

Wonder where they'll play in 2011?

Hopefully somwhere in Southern Alberta.

We need our prospects close by so that they can be available to the Flames for games the same day.

It never made sense to me why you would put a Flames farm team in Canucks, Blackhawks or Huskers territory.

[PIMking]

they should just play them in the saddledome. Take the losses instead of moving the team every 2 year.

[Yeah_Baby]

Here is the thing though. IIRC they signed a 10 year agreement with the business guys in Abbotsford. Therefore I get the feeling the Flames will let Lane Sweeting (sp?) handle the business aspect etc, and they'll worry about development.

[PIMking]

contracts dont mean squat. If abbotsford group is bleeding money like they did in qc then Calgary will move the team again. QC had a 5 year contract and it didn't last that long

[Azure]

Seriously guys, based on one game you're all thinking the team is going to move next year?

If the Heat have a good year, which they should considering the talent they have, more and more people will come.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by Azure

Seriously guys, based on one game you're all thinking the team is going to move next year?

If the Heat have a good year, which they should considering the talent they have, more and more people will come.

They'll be fine. Myself I was just disappointed the inaugural home opener of a professional hockey team in a hockey market didn't sell out.

According to this site, though, 5,100 people would put them middle of the pack in AHL average attendance from last year, and over 2,000 more than they got in Quad Cities. I also would expect average ticket prices are much higher in Abbotsford.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Azure

Seriously guys, based on one game you're all thinking the team is going to move next year?

Consider the source. He's just mildly bitter.

[dobbles]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Consider the source. He's just mildly bitter.

i love when you guys have to resort to this garbage.

the ironic thing is pimking is actually a flames fan. even though they took the team away he still roots for them. and what does he care, he's in alabama!




the complaint is that there was all this hype about how incredibly popular the team would be. yet opening night attendance was pretty poor. the first game for the franchise should be standing room only. as noted, even the QC was able to do better on their inaugural night. if you can't draw well on a friday night to start the season, how are they going to do when they host the rochester americans on a tuesday?

i realize there might have been other stuff going on, but you will always have that. down here, people always complained that friday night games were bad in the fall because of high school football. while there might have been some truth, it was mostly just excuse making.

additionally, the smallish nature of the stadium makes it harder to get a high average attendance. many of the ahl cities are able to really boost their numbers with special themed promotional nights. when they are able to back 10k people it can boost the season average nicely. abby won't have that advantage, so they will have to really be consistent with their numbers.

it is definitely too early to write the team off or anything like that, but if i was sweeting i would have to be disappointed in the attendance. additionally wasn't there an article recently where it said they had much lower numbers of season tickets sold? something like only 2k when they anticipated 4k to be sold?

anyways, lets talk about this rationally instead of starting ad hominem attacks just because someone happens to be from the QC.

[spuzzum]

Nose bleeds are $15.50 a ticket. Best seats are $38.50. Not cheap - not expensive. Although 40 dollars a ticket for minor leaguers is quite steep if you buy season tickets.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

Nose bleeds are $15.50 a ticket. Best seats are $38.50. Not cheap - not expensive. Although 40 dollars a ticket for minor leaguers is quite steep if you buy season tickets.

I would think WHL hockey is around ~ $20 for a ticket... For the Best Seats at $38.50 sounds like a pretty decent price....

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

Nose bleeds are $15.50 a ticket. Best seats are $38.50. Not cheap - not expensive. Although 40 dollars a ticket for minor leaguers is quite steep if you buy season tickets.

Huh. I paid $41 for my ticket. Section 109, Row 3, seat 8.