Jsut wandering which team you think will have more support in Cleveland. I've been a Jacket fan since they joined the NHL, nevertheless I'll follow the monsters. Thoughts...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: The Special One (Keep the Faith),

Well, its kinda hard to say. I have always been a blue jackets fan since they started in 2000. I think the lake erie monsters will get alot of support from the cleveland area, it is more expensive to go to an nhl game in columbus and the blue jackets need to have a winning season, which I think would be the main reason why COlumbus is at the bottom of the nhl attendance standings right now. I think if the monsters play it right, as they are, they will be successful here in cleveland.-matt

I agree, The Monsters have created quite a buzz around the area already. Their recent winning streak doesn't hurt either. Putting 20 games on FSN doesn't hurt either, television IMO is the best way to market your product. With a bunch of Saturday Night promotions coming up here soon the crowds will only get bigger. The snow will start to fly soon, that always gets people in the hockey mood.

Yesterday afternoon's game only drew 2212. Sunday afternoon games have usually been a tough draw, especially with the Browns (though the game was over)..Traditionally, attendance picks up after Christmas..Promotions will help but the team needs put a nice win streak together..

Jackets first, Monsters second...

Going to be tough when Syracuse comes to town, as after hanging around Jackets training camps, I still know more players on the Crunch than I do the Monsters (though my Monster knowledge is rapidly growing)

Sunday there was really no promo. This Saturday Night will be big probably over 10,000. WKNR has a big promo going on at the game this Saturday with Goldhammer and Rizzo.
The following Saturday is Hanson Brothers night, that would be over 10,000 also. 20,000 combined for both games should be a fair bet. That should bring our average to around 6,000.

First off, let me start by saying that I am a "true to the core" Ohio fan. When it comes down to it I love the Browns, Indians, Cavs, and of course Ohio State. I also have to admit that every year I fall victim to the rivalries that are so embeded in most of our heads. That being said, I have to be honest with everyone here. I have been I Colorodo fan since I first got into the sport and just wouldn't feel right jumping ship just because now Ohio has a team. In my opinon that would make me no better than a cold weather fan and we know how much most of us can't stand those people (hence the hatered towards most Steelers fans in this general area. All in all though I am just seriously happy to have hockey back in town and it's deffinately a plus that our new Cleveland team feeds my favorite NHL team. Basically what I just did here was take the scenic rout in order to tell you that for me it's Monsters over the Jackets. They are having a pretty good year though thus far. Well, that's it from me but hopefully I will see some of you at the upcoming games. You can bet that I'll be there in the same seats that I am always it so give me a shout if you see me. Particularly those sitting on the bench side of the rink. We seriously need to start raising the roof a little bit more so that we can help make the opposing teams have a harder time in our house. I'm starting to think that people in this area have forgot to be hockey fans, but that's for another time in another topic.

Take care,

"Super Fan"

Well, basically, BlueJackets over Monsters.
Browns, Indians, Cavs, BlueJackets, Ohio State!
From NE Ohio, but when the CBJs came I started following them as we don't have a NHL team (and I was a NHL fan).
But I am trying to follow the Monsters from a distance.

More importantly, I feel they missed the boat on an affiliation when they came in....
http://cavaliers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5601094591/m/1401017552
IMO, they could've built a bigger, easier, less divisive, and more relevant fanbase if the Monsters were the Blue Jackets affiliate.

I've been a Red Wings fan since I was really small, so I'm going to take the Monsters over the Blue Jackets, and the Red Wings over the Monsters. That said, minor league games are a lot more fun to watch quite often as the pros sometimes make it look too easy.

I'll suport the Monsters. But I've been a Penguins fan since I lived in PA.

Tim L,

You notice though, as I have, that this team seems to win in front of large crowds. Yes the team has had its losses, but its a fast and hungry team. I can appreciate this team, even if we finish below .500.

The last team that was here got off to better starts, but fell apart. They had a few bright spots, but for the most part they were largely uninspired.

What I am getting at is this. Part of this teams success, besides Gilberts management style, is the teams ability to play fast, action packet hockey.

The team will lose to weaker teams such as Grand Rapids (funny how that sounds since they are normally strong) in front of 3,000 fans on a Sunday...and then they will come back on a Friday night, on TV, against a team like....Toronto and win in front of 7,000 or 9,000 or even 10,000. In fact with the exception of opening night and the game last night in front of 6,000+, this team seems to win in front of the big crowds.

The last team that was here would win games in the empty arena, and then go and blow a game in front of 7,000 people. They wouldn't just lose, they would play uninspired.

I like this team. I think we can expect them to get better as the year goes on. If this team can hit .500 before the All-Star break, I think we'll have a shot at the playoffs.

Just my thoughts.

Monsters vs. Bluejackets really isn't a fair comparison. I'm an NHL fan first, simply because I get the Center Ice package and watch 10 or more games per week. When it comes to the NHL, I'll probably get crucified here, but I'm a Penguins fan seein' as how I started following the game when Pittsburgh was the closest place to see a game, not to mention it was the early '90s and things were going fairly well in the 'Burgh in those days. Then of course we had the Lumberjacks tie-in, so it all made perfect sense.
Now, I also closely follow the Bluejackets and am extremely pleased with their turnaround this season.
Having said all that, I'll also tell you that I haven't been to one NHL game this year. By this time most seasons I've been to 2 Penguins games and 1 Bluejackets game. This year - 4 Monsters games. And thank Gilbert for the radio contract so we can all follow them when we can't make it downtown.
When it's all said and done, I'm just a hockey fan. It's simply the greatest team sport on the planet - speed, skill, guts and strategy.

There should be some front office people from both organizations in house tonight.

Syracuse vs. LEM in Cleveland
Colorado vs. CBJ in Columbus

Hopefully there will be a decent crowd

Judging from the crowd size, neither. No one really cares about Canadian Soccer that much.

quote:

onsters vs. Bluejackets really isn't a fair comparison. I'm an NHL fan first, simply because I get the Center Ice package and watch 10 or more games per week.

I agree. It's sort of like comparing the Columbus Clippers and the Cleveland Indians. My family has had season tickets to the Clippers for years, and I only live bout 15 minutes from the stadium...but I'd rather drive 2 hours to the Jake, even though I'm a huge Clippers fan.

quote:

Now, I also closely follow the Bluejackets and am extremely pleased with their turnaround this season.

Yes, but now they need yet another turnaround. The 12 games of Christmas didn't pan out like we had hoped. However, they look to be back on track after these last couple games, and Nash's hat-trick last night will only help matters. Man, that was EXCITING!(even though it was an empty net goal).