Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season, Part I

[Dogs Enthusiast]

The difference in crowd size in local businesses on weekend nights and Sunday afternoon (some were even closed) is massive. Weekends require reservations or arriving early to secure a table. That can’t be debated. Business will be affected by the decision. Now will attendance be affected.

I am not saying it is as busy as a Saturday night. Just saying that some of the restaurants are benefiting from the Sunday games. I sure as heck would not be sitting in Kullys or Fiddlers or The Merch on a Sunday at 1 pm without a game happening. Yet there I was a few times doing that last year.

Like I said, its not all doom and gloom.

 

[dogs777]

Keep in mind the Oshawa team the IceDogs play on Friday will not be the one challenging for the Eastern Conference: only two of their core six players will actually be in the lineup.

So this won’t be as much of a test, as it will be a huge opportunity to steal 2 points from a team, they’ll likely won’t be able to, later in the season.

As for Sunday’s home opener, the Steelheads will be arriving in Niagara with all its fire power in the lineup!

You say only 2 of the core 6 are going to be there who do you have as the “core 6” they still have 2 days before the game so they could get more players back plus the rumoured Barlow trade could happen before the game

 

[usahockey22flyers]

How did Brauti look?

Also hope we get Gav back soon. Man he's the best.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Brauti looked ok. Didn't stand out too much.

 

[Sam14]

Merdian Centre is booked Saturday having a Pow Wow

Sorry, for not making that clear in my original post. When the IceDogs’ schedule announcement was made, no event was booked in the MC for Saturday, Oct 5.

 

[Sam14]

You say only 2 of the core 6 are going to be there who do you have as the “core 6” they still have 2 days before the game so they could get more players back plus the rumoured Barlow trade could happen before the game

Oshawa will have NHL 3rd rd Marrelli and the Leafs 1st rd pick Danford in the lineup. They are waiting on three NHL 1st rd picks Barlow, Ritchie, Sennecke and Roobroeck.

 

[Sam14]

I am not saying it is as busy as a Saturday night. Just saying that some of the restaurants are benefiting from the Sunday games. I sure as heck would not be sitting in Kullys or Fiddlers or The Merch on a Sunday at 1 pm without a game happening. Yet there I was a few times doing that last year.

Like I said, it’s not all doom and gloom.

Not to beat this point to death but Sunday afternoon at Kullys and the Fiddlers is their regular NFL viewing crowd that attend weekly with or without an IceDogs’ game.

 

[dogs777]

Oshawa will have NHL 3rd rd Marrelli and the Leafs 1st rd pick Danford in the lineup. They are waiting on three NHL 1st rd picks Barlow, Ritchie, Sennecke and Roobroeck.

I think Barlow and Sennecke could be there by Friday Ritchie (?) Roobroeck are they expecting him back?

 

[three dog night]

I think Barlow and Sennecke could be there by Friday Ritchie (?) Roobroeck are they expecting him back?

Roobroeck in the AHL

 

[OHL4Life]

Roobroeck in the AHL

wasnt he an ice dog at one point? and no, he didnt ask out.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Not to beat this point to death but Sunday afternoon at Kullys and the Fiddlers is their regular NFL viewing crowd that attend weekly with or without an IceDogs’ game.

OK true. However, if you stop in there this coming Sunday at 1 pm. I guarantee you will see people in Dogs jerseys and gear and you will see people walking out at 1:45 and headed to the MC.

We are in agreeance its not the same as a Saturday night though.

 

[Sam14]

wasnt he an ice dog at one point? and no, he didnt ask out.

One of DD’s “smart business man” moves. Haha. Roobroeck selected in the 2020 3rd round (45th overall pick) traded for an 8th round pick after his rookie OHL season. Help please! Anyone.

OK true. However, if you stop in there this coming Sunday at 1 pm.

I’ll be home watching the NFL games. lol.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

I’ll be home watching the NFL games. lol.

Are you crazy????!!!!!! That is the day we will have our first 4 game winning streak in a long time!!!!

 

[OHL4Life]

One of DD’s “smart business man” moves. Haha. Roobroeck selected in the 2020 3rd round (45th overall pick) traded for an 8th round pick after his rookie OHL season. Help please! Anyone.

poking the bear a bit given how the poser always denies everything, im surprised that they dont deny that roobroeck ever played in niagara.

 

[bigsportsfan]

The first year the IceDogs came to St. Catharines their home nights were Thursday and Sunday afternoon. The Sunday afternoon games were badly attended but picked up in January. Next season the games were moved from Sunday to Saturday.

Here is an excerpt from an article in the St. Catharines Standard about the move to more Sunday games this season:

IceDogs majority owner Darren DeDobbelaer, whose team hosted five 2 p.m. Sunday puck drops last season, likes having more home games with early starts on the schedule.

“We’re happy about that; we’re trying to cater to a family experience,” he said. “Thursday nights weren’t good for school kids.”

DeDobbelaer pointed out that he and his wife Michele “like to see as many children out” as possible.

“It’s affordable for the whole family.”.......

.......He also appreciates the move to earlier starts as a fan.

“I’m a guy who likes to go to bed early during the week,” DeDobbelaer said.

 

[Sam14]

The first year the IceDogs came to St. Catharines their home nights were Thursday and Sunday afternoon. The Sunday afternoon games were badly attended but picked up in January. Next season the games were moved from Sunday to Saturday.

Here is an excerpt from an article in the St. Catharines Standard about the move to more Sunday games this season:

IceDogs majority owner Darren DeDobbelaer, whose team hosted five 2 p.m. Sunday puck drops last season, likes having more home games with early starts on the schedule.

“We’re happy about that; we’re trying to cater to a family experience,” he said. “Thursday nights weren’t good for school kids.”

DeDobbelaer pointed out that he and his wife Michele “like to see as many children out” as possible.

“It’s affordable for the whole family.”.......

.......He also appreciates the move to earlier starts as a fan.

“I’m a guy who likes to go to bed early during the week,” DeDobbelaer said.

Here is the transition from one owner to the other:

(21-22 Burkes) Saturday IceDogs hockey 12 gms + 5 Sunday matinees

(24-25 DeDobbelaer) Saturday IceDogs hockey 5 gms + 12 Sunday matinees

Darren’s inability to run an OHL team properly is the only reason for declining attendance/STHs.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Last year on Sundays

Sunday March 17 - 4538
Sunday Feb 18 - 4856
Sunday Feb 4 - 5021
Sunday Jan 7 - 3872
Sunday Dec 31 - 4624
Sunday Dec 3 - 4384

Average Sunday attendance - 4549

Average attendance for entire season - 3878

Hope I didn't make a mistake with the data but that is a pretty compelling argument to increase Sunday home games.

 

[Sam14]

Last year on Sundays

Sunday March 17 - 4538
Sunday Feb 18 - 4856
Sunday Feb 4 - 5021
Sunday Jan 7 - 3872
Sunday Dec 31 - 4624
Sunday Dec 3 - 4384

Average Sunday attendance - 4549

Average attendance for entire season - 3878

Hope I didn't make a mistake with the data but that is a pretty compelling argument to increase Sunday home games.

Sunday’s have always drawn well in Niagara post-NFL season, that has never been questioned. However, the question this year is “how will it draw this year during an entire NFL season”.

IceDogs will be going H2H with the NFL 9x which includes playoff games, at the expense of Saturday night games. An interesting business decision to follow this year.

(21-22 Burkes) Saturday IceDogs hockey 12 gms + 5 Sunday matinees
(24-25 DeDobbelaer) Saturday IceDogs hockey 5 gms + 12 Sunday matinees

 

[frontsfan67]

Last year on Sundays

Sunday March 17 - 4538
Sunday Feb 18 - 4856
Sunday Feb 4 - 5021
Sunday Jan 7 - 3872
Sunday Dec 31 - 4624
Sunday Dec 3 - 4384

Average Sunday attendance - 4549

Average attendance for entire season - 3878

Hope I didn't make a mistake with the data but that is a pretty compelling argument to increase Sunday home games.

Wow it’s probably the opposite for us

People into football or something

 

[dogs777]

Last year on Sundays

Sunday March 17 - 4538
Sunday Feb 18 - 4856
Sunday Feb 4 - 5021
Sunday Jan 7 - 3872
Sunday Dec 31 - 4624
Sunday Dec 3 - 4384

Average Sunday attendance - 4549

Average attendance for entire season - 3878

Hope I didn't make a mistake with the data but that is a pretty compelling argument to increase Sunday home games.

Having mostly Sunday games is a great idea but after football IMO if he wanted to get away from Thursday nights Friday was probably the better option till football ends or even Saturday afternoon

 

[mattommy98]

Not everyone likes football lol, I don’t think I’ve watched a full game ever so I’m very happy to go on Sunday , I think enough WOUKD agree

 

[three dog night]

Barlow to Oshawa expected to play tomorrow night against the IceDog nit sure about Ritchie No Roobroeck

 

[StormWatcher]

Last year on Sundays

Sunday March 17 - 4538
Sunday Feb 18 - 4856
Sunday Feb 4 - 5021
Sunday Jan 7 - 3872
Sunday Dec 31 - 4624
Sunday Dec 3 - 4384

Average Sunday attendance - 4549

Average attendance for entire season - 3878

Hope I didn't make a mistake with the data but that is a pretty compelling argument to increase Sunday home games.

As a parent, Sunday games are the best. Friday nights with kid(s) can mean ducking out after the first period as kids are done. Sundays we spend more... afternoon game + dinner and in bed at a reasonable time so everyone is rested.

 

[bigsportsfan]

I think Niagara is unique. If you ask people here if we have an NFL team, they will tell you we do and they are the Bills. From St. Catharines the stadium is an hour away. From Niagara Falls it’s even closer. When Covid hit and there were issues crossing the border, the Bills said they had 8000 Canadian season ticket holders. Most are probably from Niagara. Personally I am not a football fan but a lot of people in Niagara are.

 

[knowescape]

As a parent, Sunday games are the best. Friday nights with kid(s) can mean ducking out after the first period as kids are done. Sundays we spend more... afternoon game + dinner and in bed at a reasonable time so everyone is rested.

Guess we'll have to rely on the reported attendance, which will be closer to actual, what with the massive decline of STH. For the Sunday, NFL games we'll have to rely on the subjective bums in seats equation to see how many attendees are dressed like empty seats.