Canucks Central

[jlousa]

During the 94 run Pacific Coliseum held the away games inside the arena on a large screen for a small fee I think it was $5. Depending on scheduling Rogers Arena could do the same thing as it's set up for large crowds and very transit accessible. Don't think the demand would be there this time around over at the PNE. Could use Jack Poole Plaza depending on scheduling concerns with the convention centre, the Cambie buslot site would work as well but that would be a sizable loss of income for the city.

Looked at getting some tickets today, have to say the organization isn't doing themselves much favors. Had some lower bowl tickets for last round and those were already $300/each. For the next round lower bowl they want $681/each and these aren't centre ice either. While I'm happy to see them doing well and the owner making some money, I just feel they are really gouging the fans and possibly hurting themselves longer term. It's no wonder there are so many fans at road games.

[WarrenC12]

There is an event at Rogers Arena the night of game 3, but other nights might work. Awesome atmosphere there for sure.

Too bad BC Place wasn't ready. I don't know about the screens in there, but you know the fans would fill it for a reasonable price.

[BCPhil]

Looks like we will have to wait another couple of days until we find out who we play.

But anyway, it's not a huge space, but the CBC has been showing the games on their giant TV outside their studio. There were about 50 people in the CBC plaza watching game 1 in the rain when I went by last week. If you close that block of Hamilton Street, you could easily get about 200 there.

Robson Square is still pretty much a construction site, so broadcasting the game onto Sears will probably be pointless.

They could erect a screen at the top of the front steps at the Art Gallery. They usually have a banner put up over the front door, so just replace it with a white sheet and project the game on it.

Jack Poole Plaza would be a good choice, but you would need some kind of superstructure erected to hold the screen, whereas at the Art Gallery you just attach it to the building instead of the banner. It would be a pretty simple setup to get a giant screen there. And since they took down the Olympic Clock, the plaza there could use some community spirit.

Personally though, I think it would be amazing if they put back up the Molson Canadian house near Rogers Arena (at a more reasonable non-olympic entry price).

While the Canucks do get a lot of community support, it is still a private enterprise, and it would be nice to see the corporate sponsors of the Canucks pick up where the Olympics left off and show some love to Canuck fans. There are some fairly empty lots around downtown where the Canucks and their corporate sponsors could set up large fan appreciation tents and show the game. In fact, it seems like a bit of a lost opportunity for some good marketing on their part.

[Nutterbug]

I'm hoping we'll face San Jose, since it's in the same time zone as us, even though the NHL is still screwing us with the schedule to suit Eastern audiences. (12 noon Sunday matinee--WTF?)

I'd also like the Vancouver Whitecaps-San Jose Earthquakes soccer game to be a prelude to the Canucks-Sharks series, though the more both possible opponents wear themselves out through the full seven games, the better for us in the next round.

[jlousa]

Location: ABBOTT ST
Project Type: Special Events
Department: Engineering Department
Project Start: 2011/05/15 Expected Completion: 2011/05/18
Description: On May 15th between 12:00pm and 6:00pm and on May 18th between 12:00pm and 7:00pm the 700 blk of Abbott St. will be closed for the Party at the Plaza event.

Traffic delays are expected so motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

Oh no, last year the Mayor's announcement of Canucks Day jinxed us. Now this year the city has an expected completion date of the 18th implying there won't be any more home games after that.

I'm sure they just expect us to sweep this round in 4 and that the dates for the final are not yet announced.

[Waders]

I couldn't help but after reading the news story at http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Vanco...renzy+between+periods/4781864/story.html
I never know there is a relation between Canucks games and toilet flushing. Those Metro Vancouver staffs were very serious about it.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Oh no, last year the Mayor's announcement of Canucks Day jinxed us.

So it was Gregor's fault! Hmmmm...

[jlousa]

Yes I truly believe that the mayor caused the Canucks to lose last year.

[BCPhil]

No sooner than I made my post, the city decides to close that block of Hamilton in front of CBC.

The City of Vancouver and the CBC have teamed up to answer calls from Canucks fans for a public place to gather and watch the opening game in the semi-final series against the San Jose Sharks.

The City announced on Friday morning that it plans to close the street outside the CBC's downtown studio next to the library so that fans can watch the game on the CBC's big screen.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...c-cbc-vancouver-hockey-street-party.html

I wonder if that closing of Abbott is just to handle the pedestrian traffic (700 block is the stretch between Pacific and Expo) or if they have plans to set something up on the parking lot. I would definitely go there and watch the game if they had a nice, Olympic reminiscent setup, with food, drinks, big screens and port-a-potties.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Yes I truly believe that the mayor caused the Canucks to lose last year.

I was just poking fun at your professed dislike for our mayor.

[SpongeG]

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Where+watch+Canucks/4782021/story.html

If you are hopelessly chic but dying to get it on and cheer for the Canucks, here’s a solution. The Shangri-La Hotel rents out the classy Blue Moon Theatre for $500. It’s got a state-of-art screening room with theatre seats, and comes with a bar, popcorn, full-service bartender and food from the Market kitchen (food and booze extra, popcorn, free). It seats 36 in plush, creamy leather stadium-style seats. And, it’s kind of affordable. Are you doing the long division in your head? $500 divided by 36 would be $13.88 per person.



Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Where+watch+Canucks/4782021/story.html#ixzz1MMPSI300

[GeeCee]

That's... a really good idea.

[djh]

^^Now THAT would be an amazing SSP get-together.
$14 and a bit more for food, the game, and architecture?

Somebody do it!!!

[Metro-One]

Would be great, and i sure would be in, hehe, but the largest attendance I have ever been able to muster in my 3 gathering attempts (opening of the Canada Line, one of the Evergreen Line meetings and the "Get to know your Metro") has been 3 people, so 36 seats, not going to happen with this group!

[GeeCee]

No kidding! I'd be interested, but I'm not putting down the $500.

[invisibleairwaves]

Canucks win!

I think that game had more excitement value than the entire Nashville series. This is going to be a hell of a ride.

[Prometheus]

The people from TSN were just discussing how strangely unenthusiastic and quiet the Vancouver fans seemed in the first two periods of play in the first game of what is supposed to be the Western Conference Final of the Stanely Cup Playoffs, a situation that Vancouver (a supposedly rabid hockey town) has been dreaming of for seventeen years.

They are absolutely right.

With the exception of Lapierre's goal and a few select, brief moments (e.g. a big hit, a close shot on net, etc.), the crowd was totally dead prior to the mad scramble in front of the net at the end of the second period. Prior to that moment, most of the time you could hear a pin drop or even crickets chirping. It was kind of embarrasing.

And this game was not an anomoly. The deeper the Canucks are going in the Playoffs, the quieter and less passionate Rogers Arena is becoming. Since the start of the Nashville series, the crowd has even had difficulty sustaining noise for the entire duration of the team introductions. There has been times when the U2 music was still playing and most people had stopped waving their towels and were just sitting down doing nothing and there was an uncomfortable silence.

Is it because the tickets are getting so expensive that only disinterested yuppies and their blackberries can now afford to go to the games? Or is it something about Vancouver in general?

[agrant]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

The people from TSN were just discussing how strangely unenthusiastic and quiet the Vancouver fans seemed in the first two periods of play in the first game of what is supposed to be the Western Conference Final of the Stanely Cup Playoffs, a situation that Vancouver (a supposedly rabid hockey town) has not been in for seventeen years.

They are absolutely right.

With the exception of Lapierre's goal and a few select, brief moments (e.g. a big hit, a close shot on net, etc.), the crowd was totally dead prior to the mad scramble in front of the net at the end of the second period. Prior to that moment, there were many times you could literally hear a pin drop or even crickets chirping. It was kind of embarrasing.

What is so weird is that the deeper the Canucks are going in the Playoffs, the quieter and less passionate Rogers Arena is becoming. Since the start of the Nashville series, the crowd has even had difficulty sustaining noise for the entire duration of the team introductions. There has been times when the U2 music was still playing and most people had stopped waving their towels and were sitting down doing nothing.

Is it because the tickets are getting so expensive that only lifeless, fairweather yuppies and their blackberries are now going to the games? Or is it something else?

I think your theory is the right one. Even so, I wouldn't read too much into noise level. Don't expect Vancouver, or Canadian fans to always be as loud as Galatasaray FC's fans. Someone quietly watching can be just as into the game as someone yelling and screaming. What irks me is how many people choose to stand in line for 20 minutes to get a beer, or arrive 10 to 15 mintues late to the game when you've already paid a fortune for tickets.

[jlousa]

I think it's a combo of ticket prices detemining a certain crowd, and the fact that most Canuck fans have been burnt so many times in the past, and all our games have been pretty close that they are too on edge to really enjoy the game and instead are sitting on the edge of their seats in a bundle of nerves.
I know I haven't had the chance to really enjoy myself as much as I'd like until the final whistle.

[SpikePhanta]

I think the fans should have some other chants instead of "Go Canucks Go", _______ Sucks! _______ <-- insert goalie here.
I liked the fans making fun of Wellwood last game, something new i guess.

My favorite crowd is Montreal's Bell Centre, sure their eurochants arent creative, but its a hell a fun.