Stanley Cup - I didn't even realize...

[ALostTexan]

I was just looking through the main headlines on MSNBC.com, and saw a headline that said that the Mighty Ducks were only 2 wins away from their first Stanley Cup. Funny thing is, I didn't even realize that they were in the championship series for that sport on ice.

Is hockey really that small of a sport? I mean, I honestly knew NOTHING about it, and I don't think I live under a rock. Maybe I do, or maybe my disinterest in the sport is just that great, or maybe the coverage of the sport is just that small.

What do you think?

[saucon17]

I don't think it is a small sport, but it is losing fans every year. The one big problem is that the Stanley Cup Playoffs are not on the major TV networks, they have it on VS. which I think a lot of people don't get on there TV program line-up. Also all the sports radio you hardly hear any NHL talk. Your lucky to get any at all. They also have NHL teams in cities were I think it's just dumb to have a NHL franchise. To me NHL does a bad job marketing their product. It also doesn't help when you have NBA playoffs at the same time. I still enjoy watching a good NHL game.

[ALostTexan]

No, I have been to a few NHL games, and I thought the game was simply boring. I have had tickets up high where I could see the entire game easily, and I have had tickets in a corporate box that had a decent view, and I have had tickets 3 rows from the glass. None of them made any difference, I though it was boring and constantly watched the clock waiting for the end.

Just not my game, but I know it is big for alot of people...

[brianwspencer]

I really stopped caring on the 2nd to last day of the season when the Avalanche got eliminated from the playoffs.

I haven't been following the playoffs because outside of the Avalanche, I just don't love hockey as much as I used to.

However, if Colorado is playing, then I absolutely will find a way to watch.

Regardless of my interest, it has also seemed like hockey just has not been that prevalent this season -- couldn't say why, but it hasn't really come on my radar when reading the news/sports/etc unless I'm actively seeking out information on the Avalanche.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Is it losing fans, or just television ratings? I haven't seen league wide attendance figures in a few years, though. My impression is that the television debacle is the reason for people like ALostTexan losing touch with the sport.

I know that the year after the lockout was rough, but I thought that attendance was rebounding.

Attendence is very strong in almost every market. TV is down, so it doesn't get the mentions on ESPN and such.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?year=2007

[BillW]

Originally Posted by ALostTexan

I was just looking through the main headlines on MSNBC.com, and saw a headline that said that the Mighty Ducks were only 2 wins away from their first Stanley Cup. Funny thing is, I didn't even realize that they were in the championship series for that sport on ice.

Is hockey really that small of a sport? I mean, I honestly knew NOTHING about it, and I don't think I live under a rock. Maybe I do, or maybe my disinterest in the sport is just that great, or maybe the coverage of the sport is just that small.

What do you think?

I've noticed that since I've dropped my subscription to the local newspaper and switched to relying on the internet for news that I miss a lot of "peripheral" news. I used to read the sports page cover to cover "just because it was there". Now I only get the sports news that I'm most interested in (not on purpose, it just seems to work out that way). I follow hockey, and I know what is going on in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but I'm not really aware of what is happening in the NBA playoffs.

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by BillW

I've noticed that since I've dropped my subscription to the local newspaper and switched to relying on the internet for news that I miss a lot of "peripheral" news. I used to read the sports page cover to cover "just because it was there". Now I only get the sports news that I'm most interested in (not on purpose, it just seems to work out that way). I follow hockey, and I know what is going on in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but I'm not really aware of what is happening in the NBA playoffs.

You know, maybe that is it with me, too. I am usually far more in touch with the news world in general than most of the people I work with, yet I never watch the local news TV coverage and rarely read the newspaper. I rely so much on the internet for my news, and maybe I am just missing out on alot of hte 'peripheral' news...

ALostTexan

[hi_im_god]

it's the ducks. they dropped "mighty" when disney sold them.

you're excused since you don't follow hockey.

it's a terrible tv sport. the camera follows the puck which is all they can do but you miss 1/2 the game that way. it would be like watching a horse race where all they ever showed was a tight shot of the leader.

if you get a chance, go to a game. the rules are simple. it's easy to see plays setting up when you are there.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by hi_im_god

it's the ducks. they dropped "mighty" when disney sold them.

you're excused since you don't follow hockey.

it's a terrible tv sport. the camera follows the puck which is all they can do but you miss 1/2 the game that way. it would be like watching a horse race where all they ever showed was a tight shot of the leader.

if you get a chance, go to a game. the rules are simple. it's easy to see plays setting up when you are there.

I agree. Hockey is a horrible TV sport, and you really can only watch it if you are a huge fan on TV.

Go to a live game, you will buy your tickets for another on your way out. It is just an amazing game to watch live.