Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[dogs777]

While many are negative here, I will say I applaud the fanbase for the playoff attendance. Over 4000 for both games. A lot of other teams couldn't get close to those numbers for playoff games. Lots of empty seats in many buildings

Over 3000 for both game 4 was 4000

 

[stealth1]

One more positive to add is, for both games in Niagara, fans were into it and got out of their seats when the Icedogs scored.

Watching last night, Colts fans for most part sat on their hands when the Colts scored.

 

[ckg927]

My understanding is there are two groups interested in purchasing the IceDogs, both have Bruce Boudreau as part of the ownership team. The fact, that DD is / was investigated for the third time in three years, the 5 year suspension and significant fines make sense and so does the possibility that the team has been sold to avoid both punishments. When you hear “changes coming”, that signifies smoke, we just need fire.

From your lips to God's ears....

 

[ckg927]

For myself, I highly doubt I would ever return as a season ticket holder. I've found other things to do with my time.

Having said that... with new ownership, I would take a wait and see approach. I would go to a few games provided I like he direction of the team on and off the ice. If I liked what I was seeing, I could see myself going to a dozen games a year plus playoffs.

Under this owner, I won't set foot in that arena. The organization is an embarrassment to the community from top to bottom.

As someone from Buffalo who has taken in games in St Catharines for many years(but not in a few, likely since DD became owner), I agree with you.

 

[knowescape]

While many are negative here, I will say I applaud the fanbase for the playoff attendance. Over 4000 for both games. A lot of other teams couldn't get close to those numbers for playoff games. Lots of empty seats in many buildings

Niagara has one of the best fan bases in the OHL. There is a high ratio of educated fans who "get" the nuances of the game and appreciate the effort both on and off the ice. For years, Niagara even boasted its own fan site. When an owner comes in and cuts corners both in terms of hockey operations and back office matters, the fans notice. When the owner treats the franchise like his own personal play pen, making decisions that satisfy only his own ego - Niagara fans won't sit by idly. Many dedicated fans left junior hockey because of the owner's antics but would easily return with the right person at the helm. Everything is there for a successful franchise, except leadership.

 

[stealth1]

Niagara has one of the best fan bases in the OHL. There is a high ratio of educated fans who "get" the nuances of the game and appreciate the effort both on and off the ice. For years, Niagara even boasted its own fan site. When an owner comes in and cuts corners both in terms of hockey operations and back office matters, the fans notice. When the owner treats the franchise like his own personal play pen, making decisions that satisfy only his own ego - Niagara fans won't sit by idly. Many dedicated fans left junior hockey because of the owner's antics but would easily return with the right person at the helm. Everything is there for a successful franchise, except leadership.

My post had nothing to do with any of that. I know all the problems the team has had going all all the way back to the Burke's.

My point was more that in spite of all of that, Niagara still had pretty good attendance for their playoff games. They did better than North Bay and Owen Sound.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Decent attendance. Stellar enthusiasm at the games too.

Which is amazing for a team that was the bottom feeders for 3 years straight.

 

[knowescape]

My post had nothing to do with any of that. I know all the problems the team has had going all all the way back to the Burke's.

My point was more that in spite of all of that, Niagara still had pretty good attendance for their playoff games. They did better than North Bay and Owen Sound.

My post had to do with the fact that Niagara would be a top four attendance team annually, if we didn't have a for an owner.

 

[Sam14]

Decent attendance. Stellar enthusiasm at the games too.

Which is amazing for a team that was the bottom feeders for 3 years straight.

Decent is the correct description. 3500 average over the two games.

Did STHs that renewed receive a free ticket to a playoff game? And did you have a choice of game 1 or game 2?

 

[stealth1]

My post had to do with the fact that Niagara would be a top four attendance team annually, if we didn't have a for an owner.

I don't disagree with that. In spite of that they still managed to be better than some other playoff teams.

IMO with the black cloud around this team, they should move them and in a few years have an expansion team come to Niagara. New owner, new name, new franchise.

 

[Millpond]

My post had nothing to do with any of that. I know all the problems the team has had going all all the way back to the Burke's.

My point was more that in spite of all of that, Niagara still had pretty good attendance for their playoff games. They did better than North Bay and Owen Sound.

You likely don't realize the Bayshore arena in Owen Sound capacity is 2800 seated, and an additional 700 standing room .
Attendance in OS for game 3 was over 2800, and game 4 over 3000.

So technically both playoff dates in Owen Sound were sellouts .

My post had nothing to do with any of that. I know all the problems the team has had going all all the way back to the Burke's.

My point was more that in spite of all of that, Niagara still had pretty good attendance for their playoff games. They did better than North Bay and Owen Sound.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Decent is the correct description. 3500 average over the two games.

Did STHs that renewed receive a free ticket to a playoff game? And did you have a choice of game 1 or game 2?

Yes I did. I only had to pay for game 2. Didn't even think I would get a choice.

Speaking of renewal. On the old Dogs board I said if we had another terrible season I was done as a STH until something changed. So we had a little family chat and decided we were sufficiently entertained and the team performed much better this year. Despite the drama and dysfunction in the last 2 months.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

I don't disagree with that. In spite of that they still managed to be better than some other playoff teams.

IMO with the black cloud around this team, they should move them and in a few years have an expansion team come to Niagara. New owner, new name, new franchise.

As a St. Catharines taxpayer. Oh hell no. If that building doesn't have an OHL tenant it will be very costly to maintain. Plus the Dogs games stimulate the local economy by filling some restaurants and bars on St. Paul street 34 times a year.

 

[dogs777]

Yes I did. I only had to pay for game 2. Didn't even think I would get a choice.

Speaking of renewal. On the old Dogs board I said if we had another terrible season I was done as a STH until something changed. So we had a little family chat and decided we were sufficiently entertained and the team performed much better this year. Despite the drama and dysfunction in the last 2 months.

I also renewed for multiple different reasons one of which is the entertainment (even if it’s from the away team)

 

[knowescape]

You likely don't realize the Bayshore arena in Owen Sound capacity is 2800 seated, and an additional 700 standing room .
Attendance in OS for game 3 was over 2800, and game 4 over 3000.

So technically both playoff dates in Owen Sound were sellouts .

Great point, while The Attack are playing at capacity, the IceDogs at 3,500 out of 5,300 are one third empty.

 

[knowescape]

As a St. Catharines taxpayer. Oh hell no. If that building doesn't have an OHL tenant it will be very costly to maintain. Plus the Dogs games stimulate the local economy by filling some restaurants and bars on St. Paul street 34 times a year.

If that building doesn't have an OHL tenant until 2034, someone's getting sued.

 

[Sam14]

Did STHs that renewed receive a free ticket to a playoff game? And did you have a choice of game 1 or game 2?

Yes I did. I only had to pay for game 2. Didn't even think I would get a choice.

Oh ok thanks DE. Attendance for Game 1 was 3035. With STHs (who renewed) recieving a free ticket for that game, I suppose we'll never know what the actual paid attendance was?

 

[bigsportsfan]

For game 4, the IceDogs had a deal where you could get $3 off any seat. For the retractable seats, the price was $14 per ticket which was lower than the regular season price. I think the lower priced tickets helped a lot.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

Oshawa and Guelph are trading draft picks. I wonder if the Dogs are going to do any of these types of trades ahead of the draft.

 

[Sam14]

Oshawa and Guelph are trading draft picks. I wonder if the Dogs are going to do any of these types of trades ahead of the draft.

If they don’t acquire a 2025 2nd, add that to the long list of failures by our owner/GM.

 

[dogs777]

If they don’t acquire a 2025 2nd, add that to the long list of failures by our owner/GM.

Is he even allowed to do anything while being investigated?

 

[Sam14]

Is he even allowed to do anything while being investigated?

Our real estate agent would be able to conduct business. At the trade deadline, the cost for a 2025 2nd was a 2028 2nd and 4th. Still don’t understand why DD traded (over paid) that 2025 2nd to begin with instead of one his other 2nds. That is a valuable pick. We wouldn’t be in this predicament #clueless.

 

[dogs777]

Our real estate agent would be able to conduct business. At the trade deadline, the cost for a 2025 2nd was a 2028 2nd and 4th. Still don’t understand why DD traded (over paid) that 2025 2nd to begin with instead of one his other 2nds. That is a valuable pick. We wouldn’t be in this predicament #clueless.

So then nothings gonna happen this week cause unless his puppet master tells him what to do he’s kinda clueless

 

[dirty12]

Statistically, Virgilio had an impressive series vs Barrie.

 

[the dog]

Congrats to Lashko on signing with Seatle kraken