But for a 2nd round playoff game?

Think about how much of a pain it is to get there...did you think about that?
- senstroll

I travel 50 minutes to an hour to high park to see ducklings. Pretty sure I could handle the travel to see a game in round 2 of the playoffs.

People clearly have no idea how long it takes to get around Toronto lol.

As a guy that did hold seasons tickets in Vancouver where I only had a 1/2 hour commute I can tell you that I did not make half the games during the regular season nor all of the games in the playoffs.

Once you hold seasons tickets, you tend to see that it's really a pain in the ass to go to games all the time.

Had I stayed out there, I was going to try for Seahawks tickets instead of Canucks tickets even though I'm a Dolphins fan because it's only an 8 game commitment.

The commute, side costs of going to the games and the impact on your regular life is much more substantial than you guys might believe......especially for a family man.
- golfingsince

So, I assume you just threw the rest of the tickets away? I mean, might as well, right?

No matter how you want to spin it, you're talking about a Canadian city that can't fill their arena for playoff games. There really are no valid excuses. It's pathetic.

Honest question - when was the last time that happened in Canada? Did Edmonton sell out every single game in 2006?

I'd be willing to bet it's been decades since we've seen a Canadian team in the NHL playoffs, with as many empty seats. It's embarassing.

I travel 50 minutes to an hour to high park to see ducklings. Pretty sure I could handle the travel to see a game in round 2 of the playoffs.

People clearly have no idea how long it takes to get around Toronto lol.
- daeth

What about the f(*king cherry blossoms????

I repeat: there just aren't enough Sens fans to guarantee a sellout. Admit to this simple fact and and let the laughable excuses rest. It's such an easy thing to admit which makes this pretty funny.

Why don't the Jays sell out every game? Well there aren't enough Jays fans to sell out every game. Pretty simple. No excuses needed, that's just how it is.
- daeth

They might be building new stadium in 20 years, so I'm holding out for that.

They might be building new stadium in 20 years, so I'm holding out for that.
- Feeling Glucky?

People used to use the "Skydome sucks, that's why nobody is going to games" excuse and then the Jays got good and the building filled up again. Interesting isn't it. I personally like the dome even if the seats are uncomfortable and it's an ugly concrete mess inside. It has character.

What about the f(*king cherry blossoms????
- prock

I didn't go this year. I'm pretty sure the wind/rain recently cleared them all off the trees too. Maybe next year.

I repeat: there just aren't enough Sens fans to guarantee a sellout. Admit to this simple fact and and let the laughable excuses rest. It's such an easy thing to admit which makes this pretty funny.

Why don't the Jays sell out every game? Well there aren't enough Jays fans to sell out every game. Pretty simple. No excuses needed, that's just how it is.
- daeth

Even then, the Skydome holds over 50k people, and there are 81 home games a year.

And I suspect they still sell out every playoff game.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but honest question - who had better playoff attendance this year, ottawa or Nashville? How about ottawa or Columbus?

People used to use the "Skydome sucks, that's why nobody is going to games" excuse and then the Jays got good and the building filled up again. Interesting isn't it. I personally like the dome even if the seats are uncomfortable and it's an ugly concrete mess inside. It has character.
- daeth

I like the skydome, but why spend money on it when there might be another stadium in the future?

As a guy that did hold seasons tickets in Vancouver where I only had a 1/2 hour commute I can tell you that I did not make half the games during the regular season nor all of the games in the playoffs.

Once you hold seasons tickets, you tend to see that it's really a pain in the ass to go to games all the time.

Had I stayed out there, I was going to try for Seahawks tickets instead of Canucks tickets even though I'm a Dolphins fan because it's only an 8 game commitment.

The commute, side costs of going to the games and the impact on your regular life is much more substantial than you guys might believe......especially for a family man.
- golfingsince

I believe I would be the same way. I would likely give away some tickets, and sell others.

No way I would miss round 2 of the playoffs though, or round 1 ... you know, if I ever had the chance

I repeat: there just aren't enough Sens fans to guarantee a sellout. Admit to this simple fact and and let the laughable excuses rest. It's such an easy thing to admit which makes this pretty funny.

Why don't the Jays sell out every game? Well there aren't enough Jays fans to sell out every game. Pretty simple. No excuses needed, that's just how it is.
- daeth

... well and they suck, and I hate Rogers.

Even then, the Skydome holds over 50k people, and there are 81 home games a year.

And I suspect they still sell out every playoff game.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but honest question - who had better playoff attendance this year, ottawa or Nashville? How about ottawa or Columbus?
- prock

http://www.hockey-referen...e.com/friv/attendance.cgi

Ottawa is at the bottom of the pack, surprisingly so is Edmonton. This is especially surprising considering they've managed to sell out seats for away games broadcast on the jumbotron, as well as selling $85 tickets to access the concourse, but not see the ice, during home games.

So take those numbers with a grain of salt, I guess.

Even then, the Skydome holds over 50k people, and there are 81 home games a year.

And I suspect they still sell out every playoff game.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but honest question - who had better playoff attendance this year, ottawa or Nashville? How about ottawa or Columbus?
- prock

For a city of its size I'd say the Jays are about where you'd expect in terms of average attendance. That wasn't really the case before their recent playoff appearances. Toronto isn't a baseball city though, people don't really care about them unless they have a shot at the playoffs and that's ok.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/attendance

For a city of its size I'd say the Jays are about where you'd expect in terms of average attendance. That wasn't really the case before their recent playoff appearances. Toronto isn't a baseball city though, people don't really care about them unless they have a shot at the playoffs and that's ok.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/attendance
- daeth

wow, I would not have guessed those numbers would be that high.

I cant speak for everyone.. but I am still talking about it because someone came up with a hilariously lame list of excuses for the empty seats
- senstroll

By someone, you mean Wayne Scanlan.

Wayne Scanlan, Ottawa Citizen

Published on: April 28, 2017

Top 10 reasons for soft attendance, as suggested by fans and members of the community:

1. Price point: Ottawa has always been a price-sensitive market. Ticket prices jump for Round 1 playoff tickets and jump again for Round 2. Those $25-$30 cheap seats in the regular season become $100. Lower-level seats are about $300, rich by local standards even if most other NHL clubs charge more.

2. Small season-ticket base: If the Senators could sell 12,000-14,000 season tickets, it would be a walk in the park to coax a sellout from game to game. In fact, there would be a scarcity driving up demand. But with a ticket base under 10,000, it places enormous pressure on the ticket office to sell 41 home dates, plus playoff dates. Fans always know there are tickets available, which further softens demand.

3. Add-ons: Nothing drives a fan crazier than excessive parking prices at a suburban, automobile-centric arena. The No. 4 lot across from the rink was $20 all season. Now it’s $30. Many fans consider this gouging. It makes them peeved enough to stay home. Reducing parking prices for the balance of the playoffs would go a long way.

4. Ottawa-Gatineau is a government bytown: Unlike Toronto, Montreal or even Calgary, Ottawa doesn’t have the corporate base to pick up the slack. Corporations snap up seats at the ACC in Toronto. The Maple Leafs don’t have to rely on their stampeding fans, who stampede anyway.

5. Phoenix pay system: For those in the private sector, this seems a vague factor. For public servants, it’s real. More than 80,000 government workers were initially affected by pay system snafus. The problems linger. There is no disposable income for people who can’t rely on getting paid regularly.

6. Home comforts: For many, the greatest seat in the house is in front of their own TV, possibly a wide-screen, 4K. One fan writes about his view from a $250 seat for a game in the Bruins series — “the view of the action at the far end was awful. The netting around the rink takes away from watching the video screen.” He watched Thursday night’s game on his 4K TV.

7. Slow-building resentment: Fans have grumbled for years about an ownership delivering mostly unsuccessful hockey, on a budget. In an unpopular move, Eugene Melnyk cut ties with several longtime managers this season, including president and co-founder Cyril Leeder. The team is suddenly winning big games. But there is often a lag between success and ticket sales.

8. Francophone factor: Many French-speaking members of the Ottawa-Gatineau region complain that the Senators don’t do enough to engage franco fans. (The CFL Redblacks have made a huge effort in this area.) One email writer complains that the club’s Facebook and Twitter sites are 100 per cent in English.

9. Location, location: An oldy, but still a factor. If the Senators were downtown (where they will be in several years), there would be a synergy with downtown restaurants and bars, tourists could walk over to the rink from their hotel. Instead, fans have to endure Queensway traffic, parking hassles and a lack of transit options. Note that the “Sens Mile” is not on Palladium Drive in Kanata.

10. Bar scene: May is approaching. The weather is finally breaking (more or less). Outdoor cafés beckon. Fans who have been cooped up all winter are busting to enjoy an evening out. Attending playoff games live is a “once in a while” thing. Fans still believe, but aren’t “All In” the arena.

wow, I leave for 2 months, come back and the only thing leaf fans have is a couple hundred empty seats........

how many empty seats were there for the leafs two 2nd round home games again?

here's a look inside the ACC during a 2nd round playoff game

By someone, you mean Wayne Scanlan.

Wayne Scanlan, Ottawa Citizen

Published on: April 28, 2017

Top 10 reasons for soft attendance, as suggested by fans and members of the community:

1. Price point: Ottawa has always been a price-sensitive market. Ticket prices jump for Round 1 playoff tickets and jump again for Round 2. Those $25-$30 cheap seats in the regular season become $100. Lower-level seats are about $300, rich by local standards even if most other NHL clubs charge more.

2. Small season-ticket base: If the Senators could sell 12,000-14,000 season tickets, it would be a walk in the park to coax a sellout from game to game. In fact, there would be a scarcity driving up demand. But with a ticket base under 10,000, it places enormous pressure on the ticket office to sell 41 home dates, plus playoff dates. Fans always know there are tickets available, which further softens demand.

3. Add-ons: Nothing drives a fan crazier than excessive parking prices at a suburban, automobile-centric arena. The No. 4 lot across from the rink was $20 all season. Now it’s $30. Many fans consider this gouging. It makes them peeved enough to stay home. Reducing parking prices for the balance of the playoffs would go a long way.

4. Ottawa-Gatineau is a government bytown: Unlike Toronto, Montreal or even Calgary, Ottawa doesn’t have the corporate base to pick up the slack. Corporations snap up seats at the ACC in Toronto. The Maple Leafs don’t have to rely on their stampeding fans, who stampede anyway.

5. Phoenix pay system: For those in the private sector, this seems a vague factor. For public servants, it’s real. More than 80,000 government workers were initially affected by pay system snafus. The problems linger. There is no disposable income for people who can’t rely on getting paid regularly.

6. Home comforts: For many, the greatest seat in the house is in front of their own TV, possibly a wide-screen, 4K. One fan writes about his view from a $250 seat for a game in the Bruins series — “the view of the action at the far end was awful. The netting around the rink takes away from watching the video screen.” He watched Thursday night’s game on his 4K TV.

7. Slow-building resentment: Fans have grumbled for years about an ownership delivering mostly unsuccessful hockey, on a budget. In an unpopular move, Eugene Melnyk cut ties with several longtime managers this season, including president and co-founder Cyril Leeder. The team is suddenly winning big games. But there is often a lag between success and ticket sales.

8. Francophone factor: Many French-speaking members of the Ottawa-Gatineau region complain that the Senators don’t do enough to engage franco fans. (The CFL Redblacks have made a huge effort in this area.) One email writer complains that the club’s Facebook and Twitter sites are 100 per cent in English.

9. Location, location: An oldy, but still a factor. If the Senators were downtown (where they will be in several years), there would be a synergy with downtown restaurants and bars, tourists could walk over to the rink from their hotel. Instead, fans have to endure Queensway traffic, parking hassles and a lack of transit options. Note that the “Sens Mile” is not on Palladium Drive in Kanata.

10. Bar scene: May is approaching. The weather is finally breaking (more or less). Outdoor cafés beckon. Fans who have been cooped up all winter are busting to enjoy an evening out. Attending playoff games live is a “once in a while” thing. Fans still believe, but aren’t “All In” the arena.

- D0PPELGANGER

11. Fans are waiting for the new arena to open in 5 years

wow, I leave for 2 months, come back and the only thing leaf fans have is a couple hundred empty seats........

how many empty seats were there for the leafs two 2nd round home games again?


- sensarmy_11

The funny part is the excuses.

The Redblacks?

new arena coming in 5 years



yeah, you missed the whole point.

here's a look inside the ACC during a 2nd round playoff game





- sensarmy_11

Here's a look at the Sens playoff victory over the Leafs.

Right beside a picture of the Sens hoisting the Stanley Cup

Below that is a picture of all the Sens promising young roster talent.

Here's a look at the Sens playoff victory over the Leafs.

Right beside a picture of the Sens hoisting the Stanley Cup

Below that is a picture of all the Sens promising young roster talent.
- Aetherial

dude, it's 2017, you need to get some new materiel...........should I counter with 1967 or something?

your bitterness and butthurt is pretty funny though............i'll leave you guys to troll about attendance while I go watch my team, who is still playing.

dude, it's 2017, you need to get some new materiel...........should I counter with 1967 or something?

your bitterness and butthurt is pretty funny though............i'll leave you guys to troll about attendance while I go watch my team, who is still playing.
- sensarmy_11

You missed it, we already had a barrage of 1967 jabs.

And it wasn't a couple of hundred of empty seats, it was literally thousands.


But yes, as Aetherial said, the best part of this all isn't making fun of the Senators for being unable to draw enough of an audience during one of the biggest money-making time of year, it's seeing the terrible excuses.

The cash-strapped senators getting no fan support does factor into which team is in a better situation, though.

dude, it's 2017, you need to get some new materiel...........should I counter with 1967 or something?

your bitterness and butthurt is pretty funny though............i'll leave you guys to troll about attendance while I go watch my team, who is still playing.
- sensarmy_11

You seem rattled. Your little picture joke blow up in your face?

You missed it, we already had a barrage of 1967 jabs.

And it wasn't a couple of hundred of empty seats, it was literally thousands.


But yes, as Aetherial said, the best part of this all isn't making fun of the Senators for being unable to draw enough of an audience during one of the biggest money-making time of year, it's seeing the terrible excuses.

The cash-strapped senators getting no fan support does factor into which team is in a better situation, though.
- Feeling Glucky?

When I first read the story, I actually didn't think much of it one way or the other. I know how pathetic the city and organization is.

The real entertainment value was Dopps' justifications.

You seem rattled. Your little picture joke blow up in your face?
- Aetherial

not at all, it got the exact reaction I was hoping for actually...........namely, you guys using comebacks about series that happened almost 2 decades ago because it's really all you have.

but please, keep the zingers coming..........you're clearly rattling me to my core.

not at all, it got the exact reaction I was hoping for actually...........namely, you guys using comebacks about series that happened almost 2 decades ago because it's really all you have.

but please, keep the zingers coming..........you're clearly rattling me to my core.
- sensarmy_11

Yup, you're rattled