14-year-old Sam Reinhart, who won't turn 15 until November 6, scored his first WHL goal in his first WHL on a two-on-one against his 16-year-old brother Griffen from the Oil Kings.
Matt Coxford has the Townsman piece here.
The game was played in front of the smallest crowd ever to witness a regular season game at the Rec Plex at 2189.
Wasn't a bad game as the Oil Kings, who were picked by many to be worse than they were last season, took it to the Ice in the middle frame. Only some goaltending heroics by Nathan Lieuwen kept the game tied until Reinhart notched the game-winner.
10 comments:
Great game. But was that really the smallest crowd ever?
I believe it was. I don't know what's wrong with people. I just don't know what they want. I find the lack of support for this team astounding for Cranbrook supposedly being a "hockey town". Hockeyville, hmmmm?? I'm glad I was there to witness Sam Reinhart's first WHL goal as a part of our team! GO ICE GO!
A lot of people staying away due to the aloof nature of the owner and his I don't give a damm attitude about the customer - Now, if we forget all that, it is great entertainment for the price - I just do not care about him or his attitude anymore, will pay my dollar and support the team and its players. It isn't their fault the owner has the big ATTITUDE.
Has anyone thought that maybe they are actually trying.... You noticed the change in the music volume (Which I hate by the way, you couldn't hear anything. The music has too much treble making it seem loud). You can read comments about this in the most discussed comments on the Townsman website.
I do agree that the entertainment at the games is dry and a little more hype could make things more exciting. The game vs. Edmonton I wasn't sure if I was at a Hockey game or in a church. Go watch a game in Spokane or Red Deer, and you get a bit of a show along with the game I guess, making for a more exciting atmosphere. Could be a reason why you don’t see many younger people at the games? Unless you’re a total hockey fan, there just ain’t much else going on. I guess this also costs $$ and with the low attendance and less sponsors (due to economy), well you catch my drift.
At least we won't be able to complain about anything when the team moves next year. As it seems that most in this community are afraid of change or growth. Very simple, but larger population = larger attendance. And they'll probably be the first to complain when they do leave. But enough about that. It's just like any other business Supply and Demand. We tend to lack the demand part. Of course this is one of the smallest markets in the CHL but they used to get great turnouts from what I’ve been told.
And of course the issue with the above comments, I’ve heard people mention this. If you see the GM at a game. Yes I’d think maybe he can’t or shouldn’t Shake Hands and Kiss Babies at the games. He has a job to do, he’s running a hockey team. I believe they pay people for customer relations. Just my thoughts, but I am quite glad that he tends to focus on the product on the ice. But he has brought a really good thing to this town which would be a shame to lose!
I understand that the owner is maybe not people friendly, but I agree that there is a team here to support and the heck with the what the owner does or doesn't do. I agree with Anonymous who said that he or she will pay the dollar to support the team. I still get season tickets and as long as we have the ICE here I will get season tickets. I understand the person that did the music at the last game was not the regular person and this person just stepped in. That being said even before that I've noticed the music is much lower and hard to hear. I also know from speaking to a senior that apparently someone asked on their behalf to turn the music down. I'm thinking of asking it be turned back up a smidge. People have to understand that a hockey arena is supposed to be loud. That's part of the hockey experience. I know there is no intermission entertainment, but there still is entertaining hockey to be enjoyed, and isn't that what we are really there for? As for the price of hockey tickets, we are probably among the lower priced in the league for a walk up ticket. People have to do the math; if you get season tickets you are only paying $11.00 per ticket. Tell me what you can do for cheaper than that for a 3 hour event. People might also not be aware that the Kootenay ICE have a power payment plan where you purchase your season tickets when they go on sale and you make monthly payments. Others say they don't get season tickets because they can't use them all. Did you know that the ICE have an unused season ticket program whereby you can give someone unused season tickets and they can then go to the ICE office and pay $8.00 for a ticket to another game. I agree that the ICE office doesn't get this type of information out there, but there it is. So, maybe the attendance will be real crappy this year, but come next year how about anyone who reads this comment take this information on the road so to speak and get some more season ticket holders. Word of mouth is still the best way to go. Regardless, let's support our team in spite of what we feel about the owner, or the lack of entertainment. Put youseles in the shoes, or skates if you will, of our players and imagine how hard it must be for them to play to an emptry arena. In the end, its our Kootenay ICE team that we are hurting, isn't it??
let's hope more people jump on the bandwagon. We need more people in the stands!GO ICE
That's news about the power payment plan. I have heard about fans asking to do a payment plan and being refused. Also heard about a fan who missed the early bird by one day and was told he had to pay the higher price. There are plenty of stories out there. Makes you wonder how badly the Ice office wants to help fans. Then all you hear is how there are no butts in the seats.
OMG. Hollick has written Hurley out for 5-6wks. He will be surely missed. He was the most exciting part of the Red Deer game. The fight was directly in front of me that D-man got a beaten, he won't soon forget.
I might be missing something, but what does Ice as in Kootenay Ice stand for. If you read Hollicks blog, it's always capitalized. I've also noticed some other media and fans capitalize ICE. Just wondering what the reason for this is?
I think the capitlization on ICE doesn't mean anything specific. For me its just something I've seen so I copy it. I think its basically just to make our team name stand out. That's why I do it. If I find out anything else I'll let you know.
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