I'm going w the lesser of 2 evils bc hockey doesn't belong in a place that if it hits BELOW freezing it makes national news ....
go hawks *gulp n gasp*
Can you imagine how horrible of a matchup for the NHL an Anaheim/Tampa Bay championship would have been?
Yeah. I'm guessing Bettman & Co. were begging Chcago to win after the Rangers were knocked out. But no doubt an Original Six final would have been most ideal for the NHL.
Post by irishbride2 on May 31, 2015 10:33:35 GMT -5
I have no problem with people not liking the Lightning but the temp argument is silly. Hockey is inside. It's similar to swimming which is also a winter sport. Yet we don't get all huffy when northern schools swim. They figure it out by putting pools inside, too.
We generally have shitty teams in Tampa Bay. Throw us an occasional bone.
I have no problem with people not liking the Lightning but the temp argument is silly. Hockey is inside. It's similar to swimming which is also a winter sport. Yet we don't get all huffy when northern schools swim. They figure it out by putting pools inside, too.
We generally have shitty teams in Tampa Bay. Throw us an occasional bone.
Well, heat and humidity do mess with the ice. Although I'm not sure that is the context here.
Post by secretlyevil on Jun 1, 2015 9:41:06 GMT -5
I just thought the playoffs were really good. I didn't watch as many of the west coast but from what I saw Anaheim and Chicago's match up was just as great as Lightning/Rangers.
I understand that I am not a die hard sports fan. To be disappointed your team didn't make it is one thing. This is why I have such a problem with people and the obsession with sports. It's a game. I'm excited to see the Lightning and Chicago play. I would really like to see the bolts win but if they don't, well it is what it is.
(CBS) When an executive defends a business decision by insisting that he’s not sorry they made it, that’s a pretty good indication that he knows it’s wrong.
Such is the case with the manifest insecurities of the Tampa Bay Lightning as they prepare to welcome the Blackhawks for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night. “Welcome” is probably not the ideal word in this case, however, after one notices the stern language on the team’s Ticketmaster site articulating their limitations on purchases.
“Please note,” it reads, “Amalie Arena is located in Tampa, FL. Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Florida. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside the selected area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”
It’s fashionable now for lesser NHL cities in this country to act petulantly like this, assuming they can use policies to somehow create more people who actually like their team and also assuming the vocalized loyalties of fans have a tangible effect on winning or losing.
Nashville adopted this silly strategy earlier this year, particularly to ward off Blackhawks fans who seem to enjoy spending for plane tickets and hotel rooms to watch a hockey dynasty in full force. Imagine that.
The Predators are back in their respective homelands now, fishing and golfing, so whether the attempt to protect their precious home-ice advantage worked or not is questionable, at best.
But what’s good for one small market is good for another, apparently, so the Lightning instituted similar rules for the playoffs.
“We’re not going to apologize for the policy,” Lightning vice president Bill Wickett told the New York Times. “We want to create as much of a hometown environment for the Lightning players and our season-ticket holders as we can.”
And to that end, they didn’t stop with tickets. No, the Lightning are policing clothing, too. More from their Ticketmaster site, when you click on Game 1:
“Chase Club and Lexus Lounge ticket holders: Please note that for all 2015 NHL Playoff Games at Amalie Arena, only Tampa Bay Lightning apparel (or neutral) will be permitted in these club and adjoining seating areas. Fans wearing visiting team apparel will be asked to remove them while in these areas.”
What about underpants? Lucky socks? Will scans and pat-downs be required to root out any Indian-headed item otherwise squirreled away?
And this in Florida, no less, a state of transplants to begin with. Most everybody there is from somewhere else, with every possibility that some of those perfectly legal credit card addresses belong to Blackhawks fans because there are, you know, more of them.
This kind of ridiculous behavior ignores the speed and power of the secondary market to get tickets in the hands of those most motivated to attend, which in the end will be a contingent of Chicagoans large enough to unsettle the nervous Mr. Wickett and others. The Lightning were ninth out of the 30 NHL teams in total attendance this season but ranked 19th in percentage of capacity. The Blackhawks were tops in the league in both. I’m not sure what people do in the Tampa area in springtime, because the Rays are dead last in baseball with a paltry attendance average of 14,650 in their 27 home games this year. When you draw 6,442 fewer fans per game than even the moribund White Sox, something’s wrong.
There’s also unfounded presumption that the crowd influences the outcome, when the opposite is true. A home team in the NHL is at an advantage for an intelligent coach to use the last change to match lines and for face-off specialists to get a moving start at the dot. Those opportunities should provide a team with every chance to keep a horde of interlopers very quiet by scoring more goals than the opponent. That’s how this works. Attempts to create an artificially controlled “hometown environment” sure seem like a needless expenditure of energy and concern for a franchise that won a Cup of its own as recently as 2004. If that wasn’t enough to grow and sustain a fan base sufficiently to this point, it’s probably not worth the trouble.
(CBS) When an executive defends a business decision by insisting that he’s not sorry they made it, that’s a pretty good indication that he knows it’s wrong.
Such is the case with the manifest insecurities of the Tampa Bay Lightning as they prepare to welcome the Blackhawks for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night. “Welcome” is probably not the ideal word in this case, however, after one notices the stern language on the team’s Ticketmaster site articulating their limitations on purchases.
“Please note,” it reads, “Amalie Arena is located in Tampa, FL. Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Florida. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside the selected area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”
It’s fashionable now for lesser NHL cities in this country to act petulantly like this, assuming they can use policies to somehow create more people who actually like their team and also assuming the vocalized loyalties of fans have a tangible effect on winning or losing.
Nashville adopted this silly strategy earlier this year, particularly to ward off Blackhawks fans who seem to enjoy spending for plane tickets and hotel rooms to watch a hockey dynasty in full force. Imagine that.
The Predators are back in their respective homelands now, fishing and golfing, so whether the attempt to protect their precious home-ice advantage worked or not is questionable, at best.
But what’s good for one small market is good for another, apparently, so the Lightning instituted similar rules for the playoffs.
“We’re not going to apologize for the policy,” Lightning vice president Bill Wickett told the New York Times. “We want to create as much of a hometown environment for the Lightning players and our season-ticket holders as we can.”
And to that end, they didn’t stop with tickets. No, the Lightning are policing clothing, too. More from their Ticketmaster site, when you click on Game 1:
“Chase Club and Lexus Lounge ticket holders: Please note that for all 2015 NHL Playoff Games at Amalie Arena, only Tampa Bay Lightning apparel (or neutral) will be permitted in these club and adjoining seating areas. Fans wearing visiting team apparel will be asked to remove them while in these areas.”
What about underpants? Lucky socks? Will scans and pat-downs be required to root out any Indian-headed item otherwise squirreled away?
And this in Florida, no less, a state of transplants to begin with. Most everybody there is from somewhere else, with every possibility that some of those perfectly legal credit card addresses belong to Blackhawks fans because there are, you know, more of them.
This kind of ridiculous behavior ignores the speed and power of the secondary market to get tickets in the hands of those most motivated to attend, which in the end will be a contingent of Chicagoans large enough to unsettle the nervous Mr. Wickett and others. The Lightning were ninth out of the 30 NHL teams in total attendance this season but ranked 19th in percentage of capacity. The Blackhawks were tops in the league in both. I’m not sure what people do in the Tampa area in springtime, because the Rays are dead last in baseball with a paltry attendance average of 14,650 in their 27 home games this year. When you draw 6,442 fewer fans per game than even the moribund White Sox, something’s wrong.
There’s also unfounded presumption that the crowd influences the outcome, when the opposite is true. A home team in the NHL is at an advantage for an intelligent coach to use the last change to match lines and for face-off specialists to get a moving start at the dot. Those opportunities should provide a team with every chance to keep a horde of interlopers very quiet by scoring more goals than the opponent. That’s how this works. Attempts to create an artificially controlled “hometown environment” sure seem like a needless expenditure of energy and concern for a franchise that won a Cup of its own as recently as 2004. If that wasn’t enough to grow and sustain a fan base sufficiently to this point, it’s probably not worth the trouble.
This is the dumbest crap and useless to boot. If a Chicago Gan wants to go to Tampa to watch the GAM, they'll Juat end up on stub hub instead.
Post by irishbride2 on Jun 1, 2015 15:37:52 GMT -5
"I’m not sure what people do in the Tampa area in springtime, " lol really? We go to the beach
But yes, I haven't been a fan of this practice since teams started it. People have pulled this on ND fans for years. If you can't get your fans to rally up enough people on their own, thats your own damn fault.
Post by anastasia517 on Jun 1, 2015 15:51:41 GMT -5
I have a soft spot for Tampa ever since they won the Cup when it was my class's assigned team in 2004. But my favourite former Sens player is on the Blackhawks, so I am conflicted.
Post by Velar Fricative on Jun 1, 2015 17:48:19 GMT -5
The ticket restrictions are so stupid. Haven't they heard of StubHub? The secondary market for tickets is insane. Not to mention I am sure there is no shortage of Chicago natives living in Florida.
Oh, and I admit I'm a sore loser. Of course I'm not going to root for the team that beat mine to win. Tampa won fair and square but I have no love for them. And I certainly don't want to see Ryan Callahan raise a Cup after what he did in NY. I'm just pissed off that after a shitastic 2 weeks, the Rangers let me down. I needed a Cup this year, dammit!
But trust me, there are a lot of other teams in the East that I would not root for in the Cup Finals. That's what rivalries are all about.
But trust me, there are a lot of other teams in the East that I would not root for in the Cup Finals. That's what rivalries are all about.
For me, it's the Leafs. I will never cheer for Toronto. My cheering order goes Ottawa, other Canadian teams, most American teams, Ducks, Leafs. (More or less, at least.)
DH & I grew up in an area filled with Toronto fans, but we both cheered for other teams. It's good for bonding.
The ticket restrictions are so stupid. Haven't they heard of StubHub? The secondary market for tickets is insane. Not to mention I am sure there is no shortage of Chicago natives living in Florida.
Oh, and I admit I'm a sore loser. Of course I'm not going to root for the team that beat mine to winOh, and I admit I'm a sore loser. Of course I'm not going to root for the team that beat mine to win. Tampa won fair and square but I have no love for them. And I certainly don't want to see Ryan Callahan raise a Cup after what he did in NY. I'm just pissed off that after a shitastic 2 weeks, the Rangers let me down. I needed a Cup this year, dammit!
But trust me, there are a lot of other teams in the East that I would not root for in the Cup Finals. That's what rivalries are all about.
See I'm the opposite. I usually (unless its an established rivalry...I'm never rooting for Michigan) root for the team that knocked me out because then if they win I'm second, or at worst 3rd, best
(CBS) When an executive defends a business decision by insisting that he’s not sorry they made it, that’s a pretty good indication that he knows it’s wrong.
Such is the case with the manifest insecurities of the Tampa Bay Lightning as they prepare to welcome the Blackhawks for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night. “Welcome” is probably not the ideal word in this case, however, after one notices the stern language on the team’s Ticketmaster site articulating their limitations on purchases.
“Please note,” it reads, “Amalie Arena is located in Tampa, FL. Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Florida. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside the selected area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”
It’s fashionable now for lesser NHL cities in this country to act petulantly like this, assuming they can use policies to somehow create more people who actually like their team and also assuming the vocalized loyalties of fans have a tangible effect on winning or losing.
Nashville adopted this silly strategy earlier this year, particularly to ward off Blackhawks fans who seem to enjoy spending for plane tickets and hotel rooms to watch a hockey dynasty in full force. Imagine that.
The Predators are back in their respective homelands now, fishing and golfing, so whether the attempt to protect their precious home-ice advantage worked or not is questionable, at best.
But what’s good for one small market is good for another, apparently, so the Lightning instituted similar rules for the playoffs.
“We’re not going to apologize for the policy,” Lightning vice president Bill Wickett told the New York Times. “We want to create as much of a hometown environment for the Lightning players and our season-ticket holders as we can.”
And to that end, they didn’t stop with tickets. No, the Lightning are policing clothing, too. More from their Ticketmaster site, when you click on Game 1:
“Chase Club and Lexus Lounge ticket holders: Please note that for all 2015 NHL Playoff Games at Amalie Arena, only Tampa Bay Lightning apparel (or neutral) will be permitted in these club and adjoining seating areas. Fans wearing visiting team apparel will be asked to remove them while in these areas.”
What about underpants? Lucky socks? Will scans and pat-downs be required to root out any Indian-headed item otherwise squirreled away?
And this in Florida, no less, a state of transplants to begin with. Most everybody there is from somewhere else, with every possibility that some of those perfectly legal credit card addresses belong to Blackhawks fans because there are, you know, more of them.
This kind of ridiculous behavior ignores the speed and power of the secondary market to get tickets in the hands of those most motivated to attend, which in the end will be a contingent of Chicagoans large enough to unsettle the nervous Mr. Wickett and others. The Lightning were ninth out of the 30 NHL teams in total attendance this season but ranked 19th in percentage of capacity. The Blackhawks were tops in the league in both. I’m not sure what people do in the Tampa area in springtime, because the Rays are dead last in baseball with a paltry attendance average of 14,650 in their 27 home games this year. When you draw 6,442 fewer fans per game than even the moribund White Sox, something’s wrong.
There’s also unfounded presumption that the crowd influences the outcome, when the opposite is true. A home team in the NHL is at an advantage for an intelligent coach to use the last change to match lines and for face-off specialists to get a moving start at the dot. Those opportunities should provide a team with every chance to keep a horde of interlopers very quiet by scoring more goals than the opponent. That’s how this works. Attempts to create an artificially controlled “hometown environment” sure seem like a needless expenditure of energy and concern for a franchise that won a Cup of its own as recently as 2004. If that wasn’t enough to grow and sustain a fan base sufficiently to this point, it’s probably not worth the trouble.
See I'm the opposite. I usually (unless its an established rivalry...I'm never rooting for Michigan) root for the team that knocked me out because then if they win I'm second, or at worst 3rd, best
Why not MI? I mean, I get not rooting for a team that is not your favorite, of course, but what is the established rivalry? Am I just dumb? The only thing I can think of is the minor league stuff.
The ticket stuff is sooooo stupid (and not just contained to TB). It's so easy to get around and also so unnecessary.
College sports U of M.m And I actually am pulling for m to win softball against UF so I was wrong lol.
Post by anastasia517 on Jun 3, 2015 22:22:00 GMT -5
I'm so excited Antoine Vermette got the game-winner. He was my favourite player (*cough* crush *cough*) the 5 seasons he was in Ottawa. I have a bunch of Vermette stuff from when he was a Sen, from a medallion the paper gave away of each of the players to a signed copy of a picture of him I got for my 16th birthday. I was wearing my beat up Vermette t-shirt from c. 2007 for the game today, which definitely can't be a coincidence lol.