Elimination World Cup Game in Toronto -- Not a Sellout?

An announced crowd of 18,786 - 33 fewer than a sellout at the Air Canada Centre - watched Canada's top line of Lemieux, Iginla and Sakic put on a show.

http://tsn.ca/world_cup_hockey/news_story.asp?id=98018

Strange.

Thanks for the link to that article........

Most of those fans are Leafs season's tickets holders and those guys have a phobia called; "FEAR OF SUCCESS"...........they don't know how they would be able to handle themselves if one of their teams actually went all the way and WON the whole thing.............

I noticed quite a few empty seats in the stands tonight there as well........ALOT more than the 33 they were claiming too.

Cheers!~

monkey_00

http://tsn.ca/world_cup_hockey/news_story.asp?id=98018

Strange.

Toronto is a horrible choice to host the majority of these games. The seats are always empty for the first 5 minutes of each period in the expensive areas and it never has the atmosphere of the other Canadian rinks. Its the quietest of the 6.

I'd love to see how loud Edmonton could get with a Team Canada World Cup game but playing all but 2 in Toronto is a joke.

In other news, Canada wins 5-0....

Thanks for the link to that article........

Most of those fans are Leafs season's tickets holders and those guys have a phobia called; "FEAR OF SUCCESS"...........they don't know how they would be able to handle themselves if one of their teams actually went all the way and WON the whole thing.............

I noticed quite a few empty seats in the stands tonight there as well........ALOT more than the 33 they were claiming too.

Cheers!~

monkey_00

what's that smell? oh, it's YOU Hamilton...

great rivalry eh? :p:

Toronto is a horrible choice to host the majority of these games.

Not if you want to make as much money as possible.

Guess some Canadians can stop ragging on Minnesota for not selling out now like they were in the US/Russia game thread....

The seats are pretty expensive and with that along with Canada facing Slovakia which isn't exactly a marquee match up I can't blame people

The seats are pretty expensive and with that along with Canada facing Slovakia which isn't exactly a marquee match up I can't blame people

The first point is true, but the second is absurd. This is a huge game. A loss and you're out. A game like this would generate huge interest in Edmonton or Calgary (and many other Canadian cities).

Edmonton or Calgary would be an awesome choice. :yo:

The building was sold out guys. People didn't choose to come, or whatever, but 33 seats are all standing-room only. Trust me, Toronto has never not sold out any important game in 50 years. Only one or two games per year, ask fellow leafs fans, are not sold out at game time. Doesn't mean people don't buy, just that they don't go.

Plus, tickets are very expensive, so Toronto is a good place to make money. In the other 5 canadian cities, the prices of tickets to leafs games/other hockey games, are almost tripled. Thus the reason for money.


Edmonton? Calgary? Vancouver? Ottawa? These places aren't that loud when their teams are having losing seasons. Especially Edmonton. I find it to be the most overrated atmosphere in hockey. Probably better than any team in the States, and Vancouver also, but still overrated.

Guess some Canadians can stop ragging on Minnesota for not selling out now like they were in the US/Russia game thread....
I was thinking the same thing.

If I remember correct, during the World Cup quarterfinal match between Canada and Germany in Montreal back '96 there were only about 12,000 at the game.

Anyways, I expect the rest of the games to be sold out. Even in St.Paul.

Edmonton? Calgary? Vancouver? Ottawa? These places aren't that loud when their teams are having losing seasons. Especially Edmonton. I find it to be the most overrated atmosphere in hockey. Probably better than any team in the States, and Vancouver also, but still overrated.

Are you kidding me? There is a reason that even our biggest rivals right now (Stars) have players that admit Edmonton has the loudest fans. We went through a slump in the early 90's, but that's because of Pocklington. Would you want to support some a$$ owner who just sold of some of the greatest names in hockey history and replaced them with a last place team?! Everybody was rather bitter that our owner sold players because he was losing money else where and in turn ended up costing the city atleast 3-4 more cups in the next 5 years.

The building was sold out guys. People didn't choose to come, or whatever, but 33 seats are all standing-room only. Trust me, Toronto has never not sold out any important game in 50 years. Only one or two games per year, ask fellow leafs fans, are not sold out at game time. Doesn't mean people don't buy, just that they don't go.

Plus, tickets are very expensive, so Toronto is a good place to make money. In the other 5 canadian cities, the prices of tickets to leafs games/other hockey games, are almost tripled. Thus the reason for money.


Edmonton? Calgary? Vancouver? Ottawa? These places aren't that loud when their teams are having losing seasons. Especially Edmonton. I find it to be the most overrated atmosphere in hockey. Probably better than any team in the States, and Vancouver also, but still overrated.


i hope u are kidding seriously, u are saying edmonton is not loud when u toronto fans got showed up by the montreal fans give me a break, now i live in vancouver so i only saw one home game and trust me it was loud i would say if u were to host games Edmonton Montreal and Calgary would be the choices, but the money issue is a good point and an important factor

Are you kidding me? There is a reason that even our biggest rivals right now (Stars) have players that admit Edmonton has the loudest fans. We went through a slump in the early 90's, but that's because of Pocklington. Would you want to support some a$$ owner who just sold of some of the greatest names in hockey history and replaced them with a last place team?! Everybody was rather bitter that our owner sold players because he was losing money else where and in turn ended up costing the city atleast 3-4 more cups in the next 5 years.

damn u just beat me to the punch i was typing and then urs came up o well still couldn't agree more

Vancouver would have been a better choice\!

>>>what's that smell? oh, it's YOU Hamilton...

great rivalry eh? <<<
===============

arrbez..........

Smells just as bad in Toronto as it does in here in Hamilton and oftentimes it's even worse in Toronto........next time you make the drive into Toronto roll down your car windows and take a deep breath.........and do you know what the Indian name for Toronto is?........"The Big Smoke"..........heh heh heh...........Gotta hand it to those Indians for coming up with a name like that for Toronto waaaaay back then..........they were well ahead of their time....................

Next time stick to the topic at hand like the attendance figures that we were talking about.......at the time of hosting the Canada Cups back in 1987 and 1991 Hamilton set attendance records for the Canada Cup tournament which this tourney is also just under a different title that's all..........What's Toronto's excuse for it NOT having the sellout last night?

Cheers!~

monkey_00

i hope u are kidding seriously, u are saying edmonton is not loud when u toronto fans got showed up by the montreal fans give me a break, now i live in vancouver so i only saw one home game and trust me it was loud i would say if u were to host games Edmonton Montreal and Calgary would be the choices, but the money issue is a good point and an important factor
Except, doesn't Montreal have a larger capacity? 21000+ compared to Toronto's 19000-20000 seat capacity? Wouldn't that translate into more money if they played more games in Montreal?

I think they should definitely rethink their strategy of playing the majority of games in T.O. Have the final there if you must, but spread the wealth around to the other Canadian cities.

The building was sold out guys. People didn't choose to come, or whatever, but 33 seats are all standing-room only. Trust me, Toronto has never not sold out any important game in 50 years. Only one or two games per year, ask fellow leafs fans, are not sold out at game time. Doesn't mean people don't buy, just that they don't go.

Plus, tickets are very expensive, so Toronto is a good place to make money. In the other 5 canadian cities, the prices of tickets to leafs games/other hockey games, are almost tripled. Thus the reason for money.


Edmonton? Calgary? Vancouver? Ottawa? These places aren't that loud when their teams are having losing seasons. Especially Edmonton. I find it to be the most overrated atmosphere in hockey. Probably better than any team in the States, and Vancouver also, but still overrated.

Go to a game in Minnesota, Dallas, San Jose, Detroit, etc. They all compare to the Canadian cities you listed.

I'm still wondering why Montreal only got round robbin' games and no finals games...

Money and marketing aside, though the bottom line is always what really matters, the intensity and crowd just seemed so much more ratcheted up in Montreal. Though watching on television doesn't always tell the whole story.

I did hear a lot of people complaining about the crowd in Minnesota, but honestly it didn't seem that much better in Toronto. Though as someone mentioned, I think, the discrepencies in general crowd noise may have much to do with the construction of the stadiums. But atmosphere for these type of international event, especially, goes a long way.

And as a disclaimer, since so many people seem to get bent out of shape in both camps, that wasn't a shot at Canadians, the Canadian lifestyle, Canadian currency or Canadian fan support.

It's a little sad that I felt the need to include that.

WHO CARES? Really I don't! I'm not going to pay a couple hundred dollars for a hockey ticket...I saw empty seats but those are probably the corportate losers who don't give a damn about hockey anyway. When the first goal was scored (actual goal, not one waved off), I saw one of those suits talking on their cell phone, no attention to the game jeez. What can I do? Even if you search ticketmaster for tickets and even enter for a single ticket you can't find a seat.

>>>what's that smell? oh, it's YOU Hamilton...

great rivalry eh? <<<
===============

arrbez..........

Smells just as bad in Toronto as it does in here in Hamilton and oftentimes it's even worse in Toronto........next time you make the drive into Toronto roll down your car windows and take a deep breath.........and do you know what the Indian name for Toronto is?........"The Big Smoke"..........heh heh heh...........Gotta hand it to those Indians for coming up with a name like that for Toronto waaaaay back then..........they were well ahead of their time....................

Next time stick to the topic at hand like the attendance figures that we were talking about.......at the time of hosting the Canada Cups back in 1987 and 1991 Hamilton set attendance records for the Canada Cup tournament which this tourney is also just under a different title that's all..........What's Toronto's excuse for it NOT having the sellout last night?

Cheers!~

monkey_00

oh, relax my hamiltonian friend. i guess you never saw the CFL commercials about the toronto-hamilton rivalry last year eh?

but back to attendance, i would be utterly shocked if it in fact was not sold out last night. perhaps some seats were reserved and never given out, or people decided not to show up, but i honestly find it very hard to believe that all available seats were not sold. i mean, almost everyone i know would have loved to go to that game (but not at scalper prices). since it was only 33 seats or whatever, that makes me think there's some reason for it other than lack of people. i doubt i could have walked up to the gates at the last minute and just bought ticket last night

but back to air pollution, i visit my friends at school in the Hammer all the time. and in my oppinion it is indeed smellier than Toronto (not to say that Toronto isn't smelly in it's own right)... ;)

What can I do? Even if you search ticketmaster for tickets and even enter for a single ticket you can't find a seat.

Exactly, these tickets were all sold a while ago, I couldn't get anything on ticket master, but was able to get lucky on ebay... The tickets are bought by corporations who give them away to clients or whomever, who may or may not decide to put them to the greatest use... The average hockey fan in the city had very little chance at these tickets... It's a shame MLSE caters to the corporation's and season ticket holders... I understand why they do it, but for international hockey it would be nice if they opened it all up to the general public giving everyone a fair shot... But considering MLSE will cater to the corporations Toronto probably isn't the best place to hold this kind of event, but those who profit from it, and have profit in mind may say differently.

I was at the game last night, had a blast in the upper bowl where more of the rowdy fans in attendace could be found... Shame all those in the upper bowl couldn't replace those corporate suits up front, but oh well.

oh, relax my hamiltonian friend. i guess you never saw the CFL commercials about the toronto-hamilton rivalry last year eh?

but back to attendance, i would be utterly shocked if it in fact was not sold out last night. perhaps some seats were reserved and never given out, or people decided not to show up, but i honestly find it very hard to believe that all available seats were not sold. i mean, almost everyone i know would have loved to go to that game (but not at scalper prices). since it was only 33 seats or whatever, that makes me think there's some reason for it other than lack of people. i doubt i could have walked up to the gates at the last minute and just bought ticket last night

but back to air pollution, i visit my friends at school in the Hammer all the time. and in my oppinion it is indeed smellier than Toronto (not to say that Toronto isn't smelly in it's own right)... ;) OK, let's agree that both of your cities smell bad and call it a draw.

Edmonton? Calgary? Vancouver? Ottawa? These places aren't that loud when their teams are having losing seasons. Especially Edmonton. I find it to be the most overrated atmosphere in hockey. Probably better than any team in the States, and Vancouver also, but still overrated.

I hope your joking. You've just displayed your lack of hockey knowledge. OK, I guess lack of fan knowledge.

How about next time, let the west host the games. Then I wont have to leave work early just so I can catch the start of the games (stupid start times).

Guess some Canadians can stop ragging on Minnesota for not selling out now like they were in the US/Russia game thread....
not quite the same scale. :shakehead

Guess some Canadians can stop ragging on Minnesota for not selling out now like they were in the US/Russia game thread....

Toronto was 33 people short of a sellout, Minnesota was over 3,000.

Except, doesn't Montreal have a larger capacity? 21000+ compared to Toronto's 19000-20000 seat capacity? Wouldn't that translate into more money if they played more games in Montreal?

Well, if thats the case, the game should be in Edmonton at Commonwealth stadium and there would be 50,000 fans.

Considering its snowing in Edmonton right now, there wouldnt be the worry about the ice melting.

You guys have to understand a bit about Toronto. Toronto is a crappy hockey town. Toronto is, 1) a Leafs town, and 2) an event town.

They follow the Leafs because it's tradition to moan and whine year after year.

It is an event town because it's full of sheep. They fancy themselves too sophisticated to get excited about anything - unless the media decides it's a big enough international event, and they can tell their friends they were there.

I was at the first two Canada games in Montreal. Now that's a hockey town. The atmosphere was electric.

I was at the Slovakia game at the ACC last night, and up to 25% of the Golds were empty.

Here's what happens. These tix are bought in packages as you all know. What you don't know, is that the Toronto slicksters only bought the package on the hope that Canada will make the final game. Then they can watch a period or so, and tell their buds the next day that they were there.

I live in Hamilton (45 mins up the road), and I bought the entire package, and I've been to every Canada game. They should have held the whole damn thing in Montreal.

Toronto is a poser town. A wannabe American city.

That's it boys. End of story.

[QUOTE=Cawz
How about next time, let the west host the games. Then I wont have to leave work early just so I can catch the start of the games (stupid start times).[/QUOTE]


In a perfect world the West should be entitled to it, and I'm sure they'd do a damn good job of supporting it...Problem is instead of having westeners complaining about stupid start times that force them to leave work early, you would have easterners complaining about stupid start times that force them to stay up later when they have to get up for work early...Do you think the TV ratings in the US would be better with later start times, or even the ratings in general?

You guys have to understand a bit about Toronto. Toronto is a crappy hockey town. Toronto is, 1) a Leafs town, and 2) an event town.

They follow the Leafs because it's tradition to moan and whine year after year.

It is an event town because it's full of sheep. They fancy themselves too sophisticated to get excited about anything - unless the media decides it's a big enough international event, and they can tell their friends they were there.

I was at the first two Canada games in Montreal. Now that's a hockey town. The atmosphere was electric.

I was at the Slovakia game at the ACC last night, and up to 25% of the Golds were empty.

Here's what happens. These tix are bought in packages as you all know. What you don't know, is that the Toronto slicksters only bought the package on the hope that Canada will make the final game. Then they can watch a period or so, and tell their buds the next day that they were there.

I live in Hamilton (45 mins up the road), and I bought the entire package, and I've been to every Canada game. They should have held the whole damn thing in Montreal.

Toronto is a poser town. A wannabe American city.

That's it boys. End of story.

that's quite a story...the right mix of comedy and fiction.

In a perfect world the West should be entitled to it, and I'm sure they'd do a damn good job of supporting it...Problem is instead of having westeners complaining about stupid start times that force them to leave work early, you would have easterners complaining about stupid start times that force them to stay up later when they have to get up for work early...Do you think the TV ratings in the US would be better with later start times, or even the ratings in general?

Just 1 hour later is all I ask. 8pm local time. 8pm local time is the start time for saturday night games here (2nd game of CBC double header), so its not that late. The game would still be over by 10:30 in Toronto.

Its not going to happen though, so whatever. It just means I get stuck working a bit on the weekend to make up for it.

Just 1 hour later is all I ask. 8pm local time. 8pm local time is the start time for saturday night games here (2nd game of CBC double header), so its not that late. The game would still be over by 10:30 in Toronto.

Its not going to happen though, so whatever. It just means I get stuck working a bit on the weekend to make up for it.

I got no problem with 8, but I dont know how the start times are determined.

You guys have to understand a bit about Toronto. Toronto is a crappy hockey town. Toronto is, 1) a Leafs town, and 2) an event town.

They follow the Leafs because it's tradition to moan and whine year after year.

It is an event town because it's full of sheep. They fancy themselves too sophisticated to get excited about anything - unless the media decides it's a big enough international event, and they can tell their friends they were there.

I was at the first two Canada games in Montreal. Now that's a hockey town. The atmosphere was electric.

I was at the Slovakia game at the ACC last night, and up to 25% of the Golds were empty.

Here's what happens. These tix are bought in packages as you all know. What you don't know, is that the Toronto slicksters only bought the package on the hope that Canada will make the final game. Then they can watch a period or so, and tell their buds the next day that they were there.

I live in Hamilton (45 mins up the road), and I bought the entire package, and I've been to every Canada game. They should have held the whole damn thing in Montreal.

Toronto is a poser town. A wannabe American city.

That's it boys. End of story.

That's not the story.

If you want to go to ticketmaster.ca, and look for tickets to the Canada-Czech Republic game, you'll notice that the cheapest seat is $49, and it's all up hill from there. They go up to $753. Yeah, that's right, $753. That is the amount of money some people pay for rent. If you make minimum wage at $7.25, it will take you 101 working hours to make enough for that ticket.
That's not even including handling fees, taxes or another ticket for a friend or a date. That kind of money is what you pay for a university level course, or a crappy car. That's only the semi finals. If you wanted to go to the finals, seats cost between $71 and $1,116.

I wonder what the turn out for a game would be with these prices in Calgary or Hamilton. I wonder what kind of crowd would turn up at something like this? I'm sure the rink is going to be packed with bricklayers and kids.

But let's forget all of that. Let's pretend you're a big enough fan and you're rich enough to buy 4 or 5 of these thousand dollar gold and platinum seats. Well, guess what? The tickets are still ALL SOLD OUT.


So please, shut the hell up with the Toronto bashing, especially when you know nothing about this place.

That's not the story.

If you want to go to ticketmaster.ca, and look for tickets to the Canada-Czech Republic game, you'll notice that the cheapest seat is $49, and it's all up hill from there. They go up to $753. Yeah, that's right, $753. That is the amount of money some people pay for rent. If you make minimum wage at $7.25, it will take you 101 working hours to make enough for that ticket.
That's not even including handling fees, taxes or another ticket for a friend or a date. That kind of money is what you pay for a university level course, or a crappy car. That's only the semi finals. If you wanted to go to the finals, seats cost between $71 and $1,116.

I wonder what the turn out for a game would be with these prices in Calgary or Hamilton. I wonder what kind of crowd would turn up at something like this? I'm sure the rink is going to be packed with bricklayers and kids.

But let's forget all of that. Let's pretend you're a big enough fan and you're rich enough to buy 4 or 5 of these thousand dollar gold and platinum seats. Well, guess what? The tickets are still ALL SOLD OUT.


So please, shut the hell up with the Toronto bashing, especially when you know nothing about this place.

:bow: :handclap: I'm sick of all this Toronto bashing. I"m sure if the prices were REASONABLE and MLSE didnt cater to corportations,the ACC would be LOUD but you see, I don't have $1000 saved up for a hockey ticket, instead thats saved up for more important things like university.

:bow: :handclap: I'm sick of all this Toronto bashing. I"m sure if the prices were REASONABLE and MLSE didnt cater to corportations,the ACC would be LOUD but you see, I don't have $1000 saved up for a hockey ticket, instead thats saved up for more important things like university.

you don't have to spend 1000 on a ticket...my tix for last night were $65.

Toronto sucks and the Leafs suck! I mean they don't even deserve a hockey team...everyone knows the three west coast teams have sold out tickets every season for the past 20 years. Even when their teams were bad the flames were making a killing. :joker: Didn't they have to bring in err I mean close off sections of the arena because it was a black eye?

Sure Toronto has lots of suits and Montreal and Vancouver has lots of classless fans that boo national anthems. Does that mean that Toronto has less love for hockey or that Montreal and Vancouver as a whole have less class then Toronto?

Maybe.

Canadians arguing with Canadians now? Good...gives us Americans a breather for once.

LOL

I love it. Instead of insulting us Americans directly, we are now being insulted through tangential comparisons.

Man, Toronto is so *American*. Blech. Cuz' there's -- like -- people there who don't care about hockey and rich people who just want to be seen. Heaven forbid. That's why I live in my hermit hole in the middle of freaking nowhere.

Toronto sucks and the Leafs suck! I mean they don't even deserve a hockey team...everyone knows the three west coast teams have sold out tickets every season for the past 20 years. Even when their teams were bad the flames were making a killing. :joker: Didn't they have to bring in err I mean close off sections of the arena because it was a black eye?

Sure Toronto has lots of suits and Montreal and Vancouver has lots of classless fans that boo national anthems. Does that mean that Toronto has less love for hockey or that Montreal and Vancouver as a whole have less class then Toronto?

Maybe.

Wow! Your certainly based a fair amount of towns there, with ignorant blanket statments. Lookout, if you make more posts like this your going to get ripped on by everyone...

So please, shut the hell up with the Toronto bashing, especially when you know nothing about this place.

Actually, his post was fairly accurate. All of it except for the "crappy Hockeytown" part, at least.

My quote got taken out of context. I wasn't saying the western cities are bad hockey places. What I was saying is that you can't rag on T.O for not having hardcore fans show up, when clearly Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, would all have the same problem if they had the same marketplace as Toronto.


My point was that Toronto still sold more tickets when they were doing bad, then when the other three were doing bad also. That is my main argument.

Canadians arguing with Canadians now? Good...gives us Americans a breather for once.

LOL

Actually its Canadians arguing with Torontonians. Trust me, there's a difference.

Actually its Canadians arguing with Torontonians. Trust me, there's a difference.


Actually, just because I live in the Toronto area, I don't consider myself a TORONTONIAN...I consider myself a PROUD CANADIAN. There's regional differences all over Canada and I understand all of the concepts that Toronto is Hogtown (and some I agree with) and if you want the next world Cup of Hockey out west, then petition for it and what not. There's nothing I can do :dunno: plus I'm sure if you filled the ACC without the corporation people, it would be as LOUD or louder than Montreal.

Actually, just because I live in the Toronto area, I don't consider myself a TORONTONIAN...I consider myself a PROUD CANADIAN. There's regional differences all over Canada and I understand all of the concepts that Toronto is Hogtown (and some I agree with) and if you want the next world Cup of Hockey out west, then petition for it and what not. There's nothing I can do :dunno: plus I'm sure if you filled the ACC without the corporation people, it would be as LOUD or louder than Montreal.

We shouldnt have to petition for it. Alot of people say the NHL is anti-Canadian, I think the NHL is actually anti-Western Canadian.

(Exception of the Heritage Classic I guess.)

I don't see why they had to put an exhibition game in Ottawa, which is only like an hour away from Toronto. GM Place would have been perfect for atleast one per-tourney game.

We shouldnt have to petition for it. Alot of people say the NHL is anti-Canadian, I think the NHL is actually anti-Western Canadian.

(Exception of the Heritage Classic I guess.)

I don't see why they had to put an exhibition game in Ottawa, which is only like an hour away from Toronto. GM Place would have been perfect for atleast one per-tourney game.

Actually about 5 hours away...theyre only trying to make money and theyre all money hungry. If theyre going to make the most money in Toronto, they'll play the majority of games at the ACC but yeah I agree about the pre-tourney games, it would be cool to have some out west although there may be conflicts with timezones...like playing in one timezone one day and then playing in another, the next day or so. Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal (I think) are all in the same timezone.

Considering the media deemed it worthy to debate, I don't see why it can't be debated in a forum.

If you don't like it, don't read it. Don't tell people to "**** off."
The media deemed it a worthy debate so yes it must be. Why is it? Tell me.

The media deemed it a worthy debate so yes it must be. Why is it? Tell me.

Because this board is about debating what's going on in the world of hockey. It's not like somebody posted a thread titled "Toronto sucks: Give your reasons." This has been a serious issue and it's no different than discussing Brett Hull walking out of practice or Finland finishing top in their pool.

Because this board is about debating what's going on in the world of hockey. It's not like somebody posted a thread titled "Toronto sucks: Give your reasons." This has been a serious issue and it's no different than discussing Brett Hull walking out of practice or Finland finishing top in their pool.
There is a big difference, that is about the game, the teams the important things. You would have a valid argument if these games were being played in Pickering, but putting a World Class event in Toronto is not unheard of. Montreal had their crack last time perhaps Vancouver etc will get their crack. I'm not greedy - this tourney should be shared all over but it's in Toronto NOW. Nothing wrong with it and its getting better.

There is a big difference, that is about the game, the teams the important things. You would have a valid argument if these games were being played in Pickering, but putting a World Class event in Toronto is not unheard of. Montreal had their crack last time perhaps Vancouver etc will get their crack. I'm not greedy - this tourney should be shared all over but it's in Toronto NOW. Nothing wrong with it and its getting better.

But that's what makes it a story. If it were in Flin Flon and got poor crowd reception, nobody would care. It's the fact that Toronto has a reputation as one of the hockey capitals of the world that makes it a story worth telling.

I'm not saying Toronto doesn't deserve to host any games. It's a logical choice to host World Class events. Hell, they almost got the Olympics. They are the economic center of Canada. And considering Montreal got the finals last time, it made even more sense for Toronto to get them this time. But it doesn't change the fact that the crowd response has been underwhelming. People are just discussing reasons why this may be (the one making the most sense being all the suits at the games).

Also, let's not forget, if Canada makes it to the finals and Toronto puts on a great display, all this will be forgotten. So they still have a chance to "redeem" themselves, so to speak.

Actually its Canadians arguing with Torontonians. Trust me, there's a difference.

I'm sorry, what's that? I certainly hope you're not suggesting what I think you may be suggesting. If you are, and if you ever again feel the need to proclaim your stance on why Torontonians are somehow less Canadian, then please, feel free to make your way over here. I'd love to discuss this issue face to face.

But that's what makes it a story. If it were in Flin Flon and got poor crowd reception, nobody would care. It's the fact that Toronto has a reputation as one of the hockey capitals of the world that makes it a story worth telling.

I'm not saying Toronto doesn't deserve to host any games. It's a logical choice to host World Class events. Hell, they almost got the Olympics. They are the economic center of Canada. And considering Montreal got the finals last time, it made even more sense for Toronto to get them this time. But it doesn't change the fact that the crowd response has been underwhelming. People are just discussing reasons why this may be (the one making the most sense being all the suits at the games).

Also, let's not forget, if Canada makes it to the finals and Toronto puts on a great display, all this will be forgotten. So they still have a chance to "redeem" themselves, so to speak.
I am counting on redemption starting in the Semi's. I thought the atmosphere last night was very good despite the lack of a full lower bowl. Some people moved down after period one-Its hard to do much about the suits as they pay the outrageous cash.

I am counting on redemption starting in the Semi's. I thought the atmosphere last night was very good despite the lack of a full lower bowl. Some people moved down after period one-Its hard to do much about the suits as they pay the outrageous cash.

It really is a problem for the Leafs org (or whoever owns the arena if they don't). On the one hand, they can't alienate the people from whom they get a good chunk of money by not offering them first dibs on the prime seats. On the other hand, their most passionate fans get screwed by this. But they're one of the most profitable teams in the league for a reason...

I'm sorry, what's that? I certainly hope you're not suggesting what I think you may be suggesting. If you are, and if you ever again feel the need to proclaim your stance on why Torontonians are somehow less Canadian, then please, feel free to make your way over here. I'd love to discuss this issue face to face.

I don't think he meant it that way.

It's just Toronto is getting bashed so the towns people are defending it.

>>>oh, relax my hamiltonian friend. i guess you never saw the CFL commercials about the toronto-hamilton rivalry last year eh?

but back to attendance, i would be utterly shocked if it in fact was not sold out last night. perhaps some seats were reserved and never given out, or people decided not to show up, but i honestly find it very hard to believe that all available seats were not sold. i mean, almost everyone i know would have loved to go to that game (but not at scalper prices). since it was only 33 seats or whatever, that makes me think there's some reason for it other than lack of people. i doubt i could have walked up to the gates at the last minute and just bought ticket last night

but back to air pollution, i visit my friends at school in the Hammer all the time. and in my oppinion it is indeed smellier than Toronto (not to say that Toronto isn't smelly in it's own right)... <<<

==============

arrbez........

Of course you're joking of course..........I don't care how many tickets they're claiming were still available the fact of the matter is it WASN'T a sellout which is pretty PATHETIC for a City like Toronto that likes to bill itself as "World Class Major League Sports Town" which it's not........The numbers down at the SkyDome continue to dwindle for Blue Jays games.....The Tiger-Cats who play in a much smaller City and venue than Toronto Argos do continue to have larger crowds for their CFL games.......and last but not least most folks in Toronto would like to think that their fair City is a HOCKEYTOWN and THAT'S not true either...........It's a "Maple Leafs Town" and that's it!......In my humble opinion they shouldn't even have the Hockey Hall-of-Fame there in Toronto.....a City like Montreal is more deserving or even Edmonton...........

Torontonians should be ashamed of themselves.......just listening to some of their excuses for not selling out the place makes me laugh: "Oh, Canada-Slovakia is not much of a rivalry anyways"......that one I believe was yours.......I hope to God you weren't serious.......

When you compare how things were run back in 1987 and 1991 in Hamilton for those 2-Canada Cups and compare it with how things are being done in Toronto THIS time around I'd say that at the end of the day the City of Hamilton comes out smelling like Roses. :D

Cheers!~

monkey_00

I'm sorry, what's that? I certainly hope you're not suggesting what I think you may be suggesting. If you are, and if you ever again feel the need to proclaim your stance on why Torontonians are somehow less Canadian, then please, feel free to make your way over here. I'd love to discuss this issue face to face.

Less Canadian maybe not but the closest city canada has to the states i must say everyone in the world hates the leafs and the fact that the city of toronto is always put ahead of other cities it is ridiculous when is the last time hockey night in canada didn't have toronto playing been a while we are just sick of how toronto comes before the rest of the cities that could have had better atmospheres

>>>oh, relax my hamiltonian friend. i guess you never saw the CFL commercials about the toronto-hamilton rivalry last year eh?

but back to attendance, i would be utterly shocked if it in fact was not sold out last night. perhaps some seats were reserved and never given out, or people decided not to show up, but i honestly find it very hard to believe that all available seats were not sold. i mean, almost everyone i know would have loved to go to that game (but not at scalper prices). since it was only 33 seats or whatever, that makes me think there's some reason for it other than lack of people. i doubt i could have walked up to the gates at the last minute and just bought ticket last night

but back to air pollution, i visit my friends at school in the Hammer all the time. and in my oppinion it is indeed smellier than Toronto (not to say that Toronto isn't smelly in it's own right)... <<<

==============

arrbez........

Of course you're joking of course..........I don't care how many tickets they're claiming were still available the fact of the matter is it WASN'T a sellout which is pretty PATHETIC for a City like Toronto that likes to bill itself as "World Class Major League Sports Town" which it's not........The numbers down at the SkyDome continue to dwindle for Blue Jays games.....The Tiger-Cats who play in a much smaller City and venue than Toronto Argos do continue to have larger crowds for their CFL games.......and last but not least most folks in Toronto would like to think that their fair City is a HOCKEYTOWN and THAT'S not true either...........It's a "Maple Leafs Town" and that's it!......In my humble opinion they shouldn't even have the Hockey Hall-of-Fame there in Toronto.....a City like Montreal is more deserving or even Edmonton...........

Torontonians should be ashamed of themselves.......just listening to some of their excuses for not selling out the place makes me laugh: "Oh, Canada-Slovakia is not much of a rivalry anyways"......that one I believe was yours.......I hope to God you weren't serious.......

When you compare how things were run back in 1987 and 1991 in Hamilton for those 2-Canada Cups and compare it with how things are being done in Toronto THIS time around I'd say that at the end of the day the City of Hamilton comes out smelling like Roses. :D

Cheers!~

monkey_00


Your points are fairily accurate. However, there are a couple of things I'd take exception to.

You're right, Toronto, as far as passion and out-and-out fandom goes, is *not* a world class sports town. As has been mentioned here before - at times by myself - Torontonians, in general, are just far too concerned with the social status attached to a given sporting event, than with the sporting event itself. This can, and has, led to some pretty sketchy records of fair-weather support - case in point: The Blue Jays. However, looking at it from a wider, more city-scope view, Toronto is, without a doubt, up there as a tier-1 North American sports city. It's capacity to support - most of the time financially, sometimes fan-wise - such a wide range of major league franchises, and it's status as a media and financial hub, certainly qualifies it as a big league player (pun intended) in the North American sports-city arena.

Now, onto the second point - Toronto as a Hockey town. I accept the concept of Toronto as a Leafs town before a Hockey town. Indeed, it's something that I would probably argue. What I can't understand, is the idea that Toronto is barely a Hockeytown PERIOD. I'm sorry, but that'd ludicrous. While Toronto's status as a Hockeytown maybe debated in comparison with, say, Montreal, it's status as a Hockeytown - and one of the greatest - is, in *my* humble opinion - undeniable.

Yes, Toronto's record in supporting it's minor league franchises is somewhat weak (although not as weak as many would like to think). But the fact that the city (or at least the GTA) boasts three OHL teams is enough to qualify it as a minor-league Hockey power.

But concentrating on minor Hockey on the attendance side of things is unfair. The MTHL (now the Greater Toronto Hockey League, I guess) has been one of the most important sources of young Hockey talent in the history of the game. It's influence on the NHL and on the game of Hockey is an indication of Toronto's stature as a Hockeytown.

Not only this, but to deny Hockey's importance to Toronto's civic culture is ignoring the obvious. You go out onto the streets of Toronto, and you are bound to find just as many young kids playing roller/street/pond/rink Hockey as you are in Montreal or any rural town in Quebec. The same goes for organized Hockey at any level - Toronto's record points to it's love of the game and the passion it shows towards it.

And while you may wish the Hockey Hall of Fame to be removed from it's traditional home, the truth is this: The fact that the Hall of Fame IS in Toronto is just another testament to Toronto's status as a Hockey town. While you may poke holes in the average Torontonian's love of Hockey (a weak argument in my opinion), you can't just turn a blind eye to the Hockey history that adorns this town. When you arrive in Toronto by train, the very first thing you will see the Air Canada Centre - we'll call it a sneak preview the status Hockey holds in this town; a peak at what is to come once you enter the city. As soon as you exit Union station, you are directed around the corner to the Hockey Hall of Fame. A short jaunt from there, Maple Leaf Gardens - possibly the most important Hockey shrine ever constructed.

Again, you may argue that these things should be removed, but the fact remains that they ARE THERE. And whether you like it or not, the fact that Toronto is their home is just another aspect to why this city is a Hockeytown. You can't ignore them.

Less Canadian maybe not but the closest city canada has to the states i must say everyone in the world hates the leafs and the fact that the city of toronto is always put ahead of other cities it is ridiculous when is the last time hockey night in canada didn't have toronto playing been a while we are just sick of how toronto comes before the rest of the cities that could have had better atmospheres
"Everyone in the World." Excellent post.

I love how no one ever mentions cities like Winnipeg when it comes to international events. Anyone remember the 1999 World Juniors? Louder than Toronto will ever be. Hell now that we have a new arena downtown (well soon... it's almost done) we're getting the World Hockey Championships. Winnipeg can blow away any canadian city when it comes to supporting their country at the national winter sport. We don't have classless idiots that boo other countries' national athems like some cities in this country :thumbd:

As for the World Cup posse, try bringing games out to the western part of Canada, oh and the central. yeah thanks.

I've had it with these "we're better fans than you are threads". We're on these boards because we're all great fans. Enjoy the games and have fun.