The announced attendance was 3,999, bringing the average for the four games to 3,986 in a building with a capacity of about 10,800 for hockey. That's up from the 3,498 that Albany averaged in five games at the Hall in 2010-11. It's also better than the AHL-worst 3,435 per game that Albany drew in its own building last season.
"It shows you that there are hockey fans in Atlantic City who are interested in hockey," Albany general manager Chris Lamoriello said. "Certainly with the ECAC championships being here (next month) and us playing the amount of games we did the last three years, the (AHL) All-Star game (last season, which drew 6,113 at the Hall), I don't think there's any confusion that Atlantic City and the people around here are interested in hockey."
The average attendance of 4,380 for the final three games this season was particularly encouraging. The first game drew just 2,803, likely due in part to the Hall having hosted the sold-out Operation Hat Trick charity game featuring NHL stars one night earlier.
Boardwalk Hall general manager Greg Tesone said while the attendance did not increase dramatically from the games two seasons ago, the building was able to sell more sponsorship.
"That's important if we're going to demonstrate that the market's viable for a team," Tesone said.
) more reasons as Jersey/NYC residents to catch a game in AC vs drivin up to Albany to do nothing.
