nhl lockout over

**stevefrench** · 01-06-2013, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by leroycyclone

In the 80's, locals used to talk about the Blackhawks fans. They said that the team had 40,000 loyal fans. 20,000 fans that went to very game and 20,000 fans that watched every game on closed circuit TV. So 40,000 fans are rejoicing today and the rest of Chicagoland doesn't know that the strike is over.

and by "locals" i'm assuming you mean people from iowa who have no concept of hockey?

you're an idiot. hockey is huge in chicago. not as big as football by any means but hawks tickets are easily the second hardest to come by only after the bears.

**stevefrench** · 01-06-2013, 01:36 PM

don't get all the hockey hate in this thread. would guess it has to do with hockey being non existent in the state of Iowa (virtually no youth hockey, no real college hockey, no pro team) and people not growing up with it.

I will tell you that hockey is similar to NASCAR in that it is pretty bad to watch on tv but is a great event/sport to see live.

**leroycyclone** · 01-06-2013, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by stevefrench

and by "locals" i'm assuming you mean people from iowa who have no concept of hockey?

you're an idiot. hockey is huge in chicago. not as big as football by any means but hawks tickets are easily the second hardest to come by only after the bears.

Locals referred to the Chicagoland residents.

You crossed the line. You must not have lived in Chicago in the 80's or you would have known of the old adage. You must not have been a season ticket holder. You must not understand that CF is about sports, not about cheap shots. In hockey, they take cheap shots. I don't appreciate yours. Please refrain or find another site.

**ISUCubswin** · 01-06-2013, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by stevefrench

and by "locals" i'm assuming you mean people from iowa who have no concept of hockey?

you're an idiot. hockey is huge in chicago. not as big as football by any means but hawks tickets are easily the second hardest to come by only after the bears.

This is correct. The average attendance at a Blackhawks game last year was 21,533, when capacity is just over 20,000.

But in Leroy's defense, how many professional sports have capacity of less than 20,000? Of course theirs going to be a high demand for these tickets.

To put it all into perspective:

The Blackhawks attendance record in a season/game was 22,247 in 2008, finishing with a .657 winning percentage and 2nd in their division.

The last time the Cubs were that low: 1983. Finished with a winning percentage of .438, 5th in their division.

The last time the White Sox were that low: 2002. Finished with a winning percentage of .500, 2nd in division. Haven't had a lower attendance since switching stadiums.

I'm not gonna get into the Bears.

Bottom line, because tickets are hard to come by doesn't mean more people like the game.

**jdoggivjc** · 01-06-2013, 01:52 PM

LET'S GO BLACKHAWKS!!!

**zwclones51** · 01-06-2013, 01:54 PM

Who cares about regular season hockey. I will admit I did watch quite a bit of playoff hockey last year. That **** was exciting and the announcer made every play sound like it was incredible. I encourage you to watch a playoff game for yourself to see.

**ZJohnson** · 01-06-2013, 01:55 PM

Well it looks like I am in the minority here but I am pumped!

**Chizit** · 01-06-2013, 02:00 PM

I'm actually pumped for the shortened season. If it's anything like the 94-95 season, It'll be a fun one. Basically 3 months of playoff hockey.

**klamath632** · 01-06-2013, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Swanson10

You prefer an 22 hours of NFL and 2 hours of poker?

Yes?

**ISUCubswin** · 01-06-2013, 02:05 PM

This is why I watch hockey:

**ISUCubswin** · 01-06-2013, 02:06 PM

Oh and if you're wondering, yes, that's me and Fitzy in the green.

Oh and thats Ellen with the hockey stick.

**HGPuck** · 01-06-2013, 02:06 PM

One of the best parts about hockey, there are virtually no bandwagon fans. People either love it and follow it pretty closely, or they don't. Hockey's biggest problem is that it isn't a great TV sport, but it is probably my favorite sport to attend in person. I don't follow the NHL as closely as some other sports because I don't really have a favorite team. After the North Stars moved I really haven't had much passion for any NHL team besides hating Dallas.

**iahawkhunter** · 01-06-2013, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by HGPuck

One of the best parts about hockey, there are virtually no bandwagon fans. People either love it and follow it pretty closely, or they don't. Hockey's biggest problem is that it isn't a great TV sport, but it is probably my favorite sport to attend in person. I don't follow the NHL as closely as some other sports because I don't really have a favorite team. After the North Stars moved I really haven't had much passion for any NHL team besides hating Dallas.

I actually don't mind watching it on TV. The lack of commercials (at least compared to other shows and sports) is great.

**HGPuck** · 01-06-2013, 02:09 PM

To answer you question, the NBA has a capacity of under 20,000 in almost every arena. It is a matter of being able to view a sport from different distances and the size of the playing surface. Baseball and even more so football can work with larger venues while basketball and hockey need smaller venues for pretty obvious reasons.

Originally Posted by ISUCubswin

This is correct. The average attendance at a Blackhawks game last year was 21,533, when capacity is just over 20,000.

But in Leroy's defense, how many professional sports have capacity of less than 20,000? Of course theirs going to be a high demand for these tickets.

To put it all into perspective:

The Blackhawks attendance record in a season/game was 22,247 in 2008, finishing with a .657 winning percentage and 2nd in their division.

The last time the Cubs were that low: 1983. Finished with a winning percentage of .438, 5th in their division.

The last time the White Sox were that low: 2002. Finished with a winning percentage of .500, 2nd in division. Haven't had a lower attendance since switching stadiums.

I'm not gonna get into the Bears.

Bottom line, because tickets are hard to come by doesn't mean more people like the game.

**CyDude16** · 01-06-2013, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by HGPuck

One of the best parts about hockey, there are virtually no bandwagon fans. People either love it and follow it pretty closely, or they don't. Hockey's biggest problem is that it isn't a great TV sport, but it is probably my favorite sport to attend in person. I don't follow the NHL as closely as some other sports because I don't really have a favorite team. After the North Stars moved I really haven't had much passion for any NHL team besides hating Dallas.

I don't know if I'd say there aren't any bandwagon fans. I've noticed an uptick in casual hockey fans the past few years especially due to the excitement of the playoffs. But the strike probably didn't help retaining those casual fans.