I attended the first two playoff games and at least dropped $50 per game. Not that it's a big deal and the entertainment value is definitely there. I pay through Cogeco to watch the Petes games as well and I assume the Petes receive no money from that but get some marketing value. However the Petes have people who are paid to market the team so why are we worried about it? Are we really at risk of losing the Petes in Peterborough?
Game four was a sell-out and we were loud - but we lost 2-0. Last night we get a smaller crowd and the Petes played amazing to come back from a 3-0 deficit. The players often say it's best to have a large crowd to cheer them on which is true. but otherwise who cares if we don't get bigger crowds- the marketing is not my job as a fan! That's on the Peterborough Petes.
Well, I think the problem with not getting bigger crowds is a legitimate risk of the franchise folding. The board insist they are financially sound, but it's hard to imagine how that is possible. The lack of funds is most likely the reason Oke and Hull haven't been fired despite their mediocrity. How could they pay severance, plus new salaries? They already had to do that when they fired Reid and Pelino.
Attendance is among the lowest in the OHL. The age of the crowd is very senior citizen oriented. Some of them will be unable to attend games in a few years time. Not trying to be mean, but that's reality when people are in their 60's and 70's. It is also partially due to the demographics that the arena often sounds quiet. Those folks for the most part are very much "Canadian" fans- clap politely for a goal, nothing more.
There are not a lot of young people at the games. When you attend a Lakers lacrosse game in the summer, it is packed with kids, teens and those in their 20's. You don't see a lot of that at Petes games. Part of that, I think, is due to the city. Peterborough consistently ranks near the bottom (or top, depending on how you look at it) for unemployment rates. Many jobs in the city are of a minimum wage variety and that doesn't afford people the opportunity to go and pay $20+ for a ticket to a game. Not when there is rent to be paid and food to be eaten.
In addition, I think many fans have become apathetic due to the general incompetence that has been the hallmark of the franchise the past 10 years or so. Aside from the outstanding comeback from 3-0 to Kingston a couple years ago, the team has had no success on the ice. There always seems to be players wanting out. The GM fails to make moves when the team has a legit shot at the East title (this season). The same sort of mistakes are made over and over and over and there is no accountability (for players or coaches or management). I can't blame fans for not wanting to support them.
Also, the Memorial Centre is a relic now and it's tougher to get top prospects wanting to come here when they can get a first class, professional style experience in places like London or Windsor. The arena will just keep deteriorating.
So I think it's a serious possibility the franchise could be gone within a few years. On ice, next season will most likely have them back to fighting for the 7th or 8th playoff spot and it will be another rebuild. I can't really blame fans for not coming out when there are legitimate factors not to (finances, not wanting to endorse/support a consistently incompetent regime).
That being said, if you suffer through a lot of terrible games, one like last night is a great reminder how fun it can be when the games mean something. It would have been nice if there were a few hundred more there (I expected 3000+), but I don't hold it against those who decided not to come. I don't buy into the idea that "you're not a real fan if you don't go to the games". I think it's up to each person to decide when and if they want to support them.
Bottom line, I really hope they pull out game 7 tomorrow night because it would be a lot of fun to see another round. Especially since it could well be against Kingston, and that's been a great rivalry the past couple of years.