Post by blackthorne on Mar 2, 2005 15:01:30 GMT -5
I could get into a long rant, but I'll just use quick points, to make it easier (and faster) to read.
1. They're an AHL team
It's not so much that "It isn't the NHL!", but rather that the AHL is quite bush-league. Not in hockey quality mind you, but in every other area. I've checked some attendance stats in the past year... some teams only get a few hundred people out to every game. Sad.
And I've never even heard of most of those AHL cities/towns.
Plus the Moose have NO rivalries, and likely never will.
2. They're the Vancouver Canucks Farm Team
The Vancouver Canucks were a hated Winnipeg rival for over 15 years. Now we're forced (thanks to Chipman because he offers us no alternative) to cheer on the Canucks prospects. In what other CDN city could you get away with this?
Hypothetically, if the Leafs left T.O. and were replaced by the Habs farm team, would anyone go? Would anyone care?
The Toronto Roadrunners failed because they were the Oilers farm team and few (if any) people in Toronto care about the Oilers.
It really goes to show you how great the hockey fans are here. The Jets and 'Nucks were rivals for 17 YEARS. Yet there are a few people that really care about the team.
These are the same people that (I believe) will feel a little silly when the NHL comes back to Wpg. and we're playing the Canucks.
"I can't believe I used to cheer on this teams AHL affiliate!" will be a comment echoed among many in the MTS Centre during a Jets-'Nucks matchup.
3. The Atmosphere
Now I don't blame the Moose for this. It's AHL hockey. Show me 1 AHL arena that's ROCKING for their respective games.
It's minor-league hockey.
The atmosphere is terrible (free hot dogs get the biggest cheer), but that's because most don't care if the Moose win or lose. I can't blame anyone for that. If the Vancouver Canucks farm team wins, why should I, as a Winnipegger, CARE?
4. Management
Now there's no question the Moose have been very poorly run since they relocated from MN back in 1996.
And don't even get me started on TicketMaster...
The team ignores fan inquiries... doesn't really care if you want an NLL or WHL team at the MTS Centre, and charges *ridiculous* prices for concessions. True North seems to be forgetting that this is minor-league hockey we're watching.
I'll gladly pay whatever for booze at NHL games, but how come the Goldeyes only charge $3.50 for a beer?
1. They're an AHL team
It's not so much that "It isn't the NHL!", but rather that the AHL is quite bush-league. Not in hockey quality mind you, but in every other area. I've checked some attendance stats in the past year... some teams only get a few hundred people out to every game. Sad.
And I've never even heard of most of those AHL cities/towns.
Plus the Moose have NO rivalries, and likely never will.
2. They're the Vancouver Canucks Farm Team
The Vancouver Canucks were a hated Winnipeg rival for over 15 years. Now we're forced (thanks to Chipman because he offers us no alternative) to cheer on the Canucks prospects. In what other CDN city could you get away with this?
Hypothetically, if the Leafs left T.O. and were replaced by the Habs farm team, would anyone go? Would anyone care?
The Toronto Roadrunners failed because they were the Oilers farm team and few (if any) people in Toronto care about the Oilers.
It really goes to show you how great the hockey fans are here. The Jets and 'Nucks were rivals for 17 YEARS. Yet there are a few people that really care about the team.
These are the same people that (I believe) will feel a little silly when the NHL comes back to Wpg. and we're playing the Canucks.
"I can't believe I used to cheer on this teams AHL affiliate!" will be a comment echoed among many in the MTS Centre during a Jets-'Nucks matchup.
3. The Atmosphere
Now I don't blame the Moose for this. It's AHL hockey. Show me 1 AHL arena that's ROCKING for their respective games.
It's minor-league hockey.
The atmosphere is terrible (free hot dogs get the biggest cheer), but that's because most don't care if the Moose win or lose. I can't blame anyone for that. If the Vancouver Canucks farm team wins, why should I, as a Winnipegger, CARE?
4. Management
Now there's no question the Moose have been very poorly run since they relocated from MN back in 1996.
And don't even get me started on TicketMaster...
The team ignores fan inquiries... doesn't really care if you want an NLL or WHL team at the MTS Centre, and charges *ridiculous* prices for concessions. True North seems to be forgetting that this is minor-league hockey we're watching.
I'll gladly pay whatever for booze at NHL games, but how come the Goldeyes only charge $3.50 for a beer?