This morning I was watching last night's Tampa Bay Lightning/Florida Panthers game (yes, you read that correctly). It was actually a great game, with the Lightning scoring twice in the 3rd period for a 3-2 comeback win. I was thinking as the game progressed that the Lightning are actually a pretty talented team this year. In addition to core offensive players Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, the Lightning have added a lot of talented young players via the draft in the past couple of years, including #1 overall pick Steven Stamkos and last year's 2nd overall pick, big defenseman Victor Hedman.About halfway through the game (which was a Lightning broadcast re-run by the NHL network), they advertised a Lightning ticket package. Tickets to 10 games for...$79.99! Are you kidding me? I know these are probably nosebleed seats but are things so bad down in Florida that you can see the Lightning play for less than $10 a game? They just won the Stanley Cup in 2004! Maybe the league needs to relocate the Lightning or the Panthers to Quebec, apparently the mayor there is interested in bringing back the Nordiques. At least they might draw a good crowd up there...
4 comments:
only one problem with Quebec City or Winnipeg... yes the fans would buy tickets. Sell outs every game. Byt that isn't enough anymore. There isn't the corporate sponsership in either of those cities to make it viable.
I have mixed feelings about the Florida hockey teams.
I love the game - but the Sunshine State is not always receptive to the winter sport.
I understand the corporate structure required in modern sports frnchises - but there has got to be some beer company to back an NHL club.
Tampa games have become ghost events (unless original 6 or Canadian teams come).
One of TB major problems is they have no natural rivalry. The Panthers have been weak. And other than St. Louis and Lecav - no legitimate superstars.
$8 is a bargain - but hockey needs that winter feeling.
I still miss the Nordiquess...and the North Stars.
$8.00 is good, but how about a 1/2 season package that breaks down to $6.50 a ticket? Yup, that's how I'm seeing 20 games this year.
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