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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
 Posted - 01/25/2011 : 5:16:16 PM
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I agree, and it makes sense.
In this area basketball is king. You grow up surrounded by it from an early age.
I grew up in Birmingham, where football rules life. It is a religion, as hockey is in Canada.
That said, I've seen multiple teams in non-traditional hockey towns that somehow draw a large committed fan base. I spent a lot of time in Denver in the 90s and you simply could not get an Avalanche ticket unless you knew someone willing to give up a pair. I'm not sure if it is still like that, but I hope it is.
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Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
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Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 6:31:11 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by dbc
Having grown up in an original six town I can give my opinions as to why Cinn is not a hockey town. As a kid we couldn't wait to get outside in the winter to play on the ponds ( with no boards and chasing pucks for what seemed a mile). Hockey was a high school sport. Fans played the game even if just street hockey. It was just there!!. Don't want to sound condescending and appreciate the growing fan support at Cyclone games, but 80% don't know anything except the basic rules ( if that) about the game. Nothing worse than having someone sitting near you that has no idea of what he is yelling at, especially penalty calls. They don't know you are not allowed to check someone who does not have the puck or making a play on the puck as an an example At a baseball, basketball or football game 80% do know the rules and 99% of the men played at some level if just little league or even with a hoop on someone's driveway. People can relate at some level. With hockey here most can't. They like the speed and the physical play but don't understand the subtleties. To them a 1-0 game is boring when in fact it could be a great game. If you took a poll at a Cyclones game on how many people actually have played a game of hockey on ice you might find a hundred. Just look at the between period entertainment when people try and shoot a puck. No idea of how to do it.
Even today there are some NHL towns that are not "hockey towns". Columbus is one. While some teams may draw well, there are a lot of transplants from the cold weather belt that attend as well as corporate tickets but very little local tradition.
lastly-it is a horrible TV sport. Even I can't follow the puck a lot of times and only pick it up because I can assume where it is or what kind of pass was made by where the skaters are going or how they react. Hard for someone with no first hand experience to enjoy if they cant follow the puck and don't understand the rules and strategies.
That given, there are no more loyal fans than hockey fans and the base is growing. Love to see the kids at games here and the junior programs in town. Let someone play and they will be a fan for life.
My two cents.
Two cents well spent. Very solid and valid comments. |
www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
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bhf303
(The Next Level!)
198 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 7:09:57 PM
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DBC, I guess that applies to me. I'm from South East Indiana and grew up playing football, baseball, and wrestling. I watched hockey on tv when I could, but I only became "addicted" to it about three years ago. Since then I have studied the game, but, I have never played a second of hockey. I am still learning the game, but I have a true passion for the game, and I want to learn as much as I can.
I already find myself somewhat annoyed by people yelling "fight, fight, fight" all the time. lol |
Somersaults, thats how I roll! |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 11:31:03 AM
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@dbc,
Very good points, but I'm curious to know why you don't think Columbus is a hockey town. If has anything to do with their recent attendance, I offer this argument. The Blue Jackets ranked higher in League attendance from 00-01 through 06-07 than Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Boston. During this time, those teams weren't exactly tearing it up and the fans spoke with their wallets by not attending games. One could argue that after years of ineptitude on the ice and in the front office, most fans are fed up. If Howson and Arniel can get things righted I believe you'll see the attendance bounce back. There was an article in the Columbus Dispatch a while back that puts things in perspective quite well.
Look at St Louis, from 1980 through 2004 the Blues were a play off staple and their attendance ranked near the top of the league. After a terrible year in 03-04 when they failed to make the playoffs (combined with the NHL lockout) their attendance dipped for several years. When the team became competitive again the fans returned. As mentioned earlier, even Pittsburgh and Chicago have had their attendance woes when the teams were down and that was during times when the economy was much better.
Columbus will support the Blue Jackets but the fan base needs to see something for their hard earned dollar. Granted, Columbus will never be Montreal, Toronto, etc but before you call Columbus a non hockey town you should start with places Phoenix, Miami (Fla Panthers) and Atlanta.
Back to the topic at hand...I agree that Cincinnati is not a hockey town, especially a minor league hockey town. There are too many other deep rooted sporting traditions for it to compete on the basis of sport. For the Cyclones to succeed they have to keep marketing it as they have. As much as it annoys me to be surrounded by people who are there just for promotions and are not paying attention or are clueless, those butts in the seats are what will keep the team in town.
As far as the survey goes, the brands listed have all be around quite a bit longer than the Cyclones. They only way the Cyclones will ever make a list like this is if they continue their operations. If the Cyclones continue to be successful on the ice (ok that's a long shot this year) and continue to market as affordable, fun family entertainment there is no reason they can't creep onto a list like this. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
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"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 11:49:38 AM
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Elvis
Good points.
Didn't mean to single out Columbus but felt they were the easiest to relate to. I think the Bluejackets were a fad--the i"n thing" to do. Like all "in things" it can get old if loyalty doesn't take over.
Avalanche--Colorado has always been rich in hockey. Look at the track records of the universities and colleges there for decades. Plus a few Stanley Cups always help.
That college tradition brings up another example of the second class ranking of hockey in Cincinnati --Miami University. If Miami (let alone UC or Xavier) was ranked #1 in football or basketball, the paper and airways would be filled. If they were playing in the BCS Championship or the NCAA finals the area would go crazy. Miami hockey is a wonderful first class program that has been at or near #1 for several years and played for the National Championship. Yet maybe a small article on page 3-4 and next to nothing on TV/radio.
Does anyone know if there have been any attempts to get a Miami game at USB Arena? I would love to see them play, but their home rink is small and sold out which is great, but I think a Miami game or two at USB Arena against perhaps Michigan or Notre Dame would draw a great crowd if marketed right and be good for hockey in general in Cincinnati. |
Edited by - dbc on 01/26/2011 11:53:53 AM |
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jsun51
(The Next Level!)
143 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 12:12:54 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by dbc
Elvis
Does anyone know if there have been any attempts to get a Miami game at USB Arena? I would love to see them play, but their home rink is small and sold out which is great, but I think a Miami game or two at USB Arena against perhaps Michigan or Notre Dame would draw a great crowd if marketed right and be good for hockey in general in Cincinnati.
Or Ohio State... I'd definitely pay to see that |
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justmom
(The Next Level!)
335 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 12:46:16 PM
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| A Miami game at US Bank would be awesome. I would also love to see the frozen four back here in Cincinnati. |
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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 12:57:22 PM
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That'd be great. We've tried several times to go to Miami games and that small barn is always sold out.
But I'd hesitate to bring games here if I were Miami for exactly the reasons stated here. Given the choice between playing home games in my packed and rabid (but small) barn vs. a lukewarm energied 1/3 full large arena I'd choose to stay in the home barn.
Again, a large portion of the folks at 'clones games are there for the food, beer, and fights. That ain't college hockey.
Just sayin'.
But I hope it happens. We'll be there for sure if it does.
We wanted to go watch UAH and the Preds doubleheader in Nashville but that just didn't work out for us.
Maybe Miami and the Cyclones could do the same? A doubleheader on a Saturday afternoon/evening. Tickets for $20.
That
Would
Be
Awesome
!!!!!!
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Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
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dtwells
(The Next Level!)
270 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 2:13:04 PM
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US Bank is close enough that plenty of Miami fans shouldnt mind making the trip, especially against another big name team like ND or Mich. And doing a double dip would be great. Ive only been to one Miami home game and the atmosphere was great but as everybody has said, so small.
OSU would have no need to come down here to play a game, unless it was an away game vs miami. Their ice rink is in an 18,000 seat basketball stadium, although extremely nice. |
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fangers
(The Next Level!)
USA
262 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 6:15:53 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by justmom
A Miami game at US Bank would be awesome. I would also love to see the frozen four back here in Cincinnati.
I doubt it would happen for a long time, given the train wreck that happened last time... |
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ClonesFanNKY
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 6:35:51 PM
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I don't go to the Clones game for the free
stuff or cheep food I go to the Clones game
to do the wave!!!   |
Bring the Pain |
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fangers
(The Next Level!)
USA
262 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 7:08:12 PM
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Only way a college game at USBA works if you have it over a holiday...give schools option to make some money during a time when they wouldn't usually have home game(s)...and before someone says anything about having them play over their break, most teams start back New Years weekend, long before students get back to campus, many in Holiday tournaments.
Could attract alot of students who may be home... |
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justmom
(The Next Level!)
335 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2011 : 7:39:13 PM
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| @fan nky Drunk guy in our section tried to start the wave last game. Came down our section stood in the aisle and told us to do the wave. We told him to sit down, get out of our way, be quiet, and WATCH THE GAME. |
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fangers
(The Next Level!)
USA
262 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2011 : 09:39:53 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Catch22We wanted to go watch UAH and the Preds doubleheader in Nashville but that just didn't work out for us.
Missed a great weekend :) |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2011 : 12:30:35 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by fangers
quote:
Originally posted by justmom
A Miami game at US Bank would be awesome. I would also love to see the frozen four back here in Cincinnati.
I doubt it would happen for a long time, given the train wreck that happened last time...
Sorry--not living here then. What was the train wreck? |
Edited by - dbc on 01/27/2011 12:31:40 PM |
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