Good to see he his still coaching.
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Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
- Thread starter DoubleA
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Good to see he his still coaching.
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Priceless
Guest
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
On the way back from the Bruins game. Nyquist was an absolute beast tonight. One sequence right in front of me in the second period he had the puck and three different Bruins hit him but couldn't separate him from the puck. Jimmy was flawless. I was behind him two of the three periods and he saw the puck well, cut angles and didn't give up rebounds. His postseason GAA in that building, between NCAA and tonight, is under 0.70 now. He loves the Garden.
On the way back from the Bruins game. Nyquist was an absolute beast tonight. One sequence right in front of me in the second period he had the puck and three different Bruins hit him but couldn't separate him from the puck. Jimmy was flawless. I was behind him two of the three periods and he saw the puck well, cut angles and didn't give up rebounds. His postseason GAA in that building, between NCAA and tonight, is under 0.70 now. He loves the Garden.
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
Was at the game. Yes, Jimmy was flawless. I cannot remember the last time I've seen the B's get skunked.
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
Tough being a Bruins fan and having them play the UMaine Red Wings. My soul is torn......
Tough being a Bruins fan and having them play the UMaine Red Wings. My soul is torn......
blackbearbandie
Registered User
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
Headline from BDN:
Creech exploring ways to put more fans in seats at UMaine hockey games
By Larry Mahoney, BDN Staff
Posted April 20, 2014, at 9:22 a.m.
http://bangordailynews.com/2014/04/...ts-at-umaine-hockey-games/?ref=relatedSidebar
After explaining the $50 seats, there's a quote further along that says:
"Maine’s ticket prices are comparable to other Hockey East schools, but several other league schools have a wide range of ticket prices based on seat location while Maine has just the $23 single-game ticket."
It's somewhat misleading to say Maine only has just the $23 single game ticket.
Headline from BDN:
Creech exploring ways to put more fans in seats at UMaine hockey games
By Larry Mahoney, BDN Staff
Posted April 20, 2014, at 9:22 a.m.
http://bangordailynews.com/2014/04/...ts-at-umaine-hockey-games/?ref=relatedSidebar
After explaining the $50 seats, there's a quote further along that says:
"Maine’s ticket prices are comparable to other Hockey East schools, but several other league schools have a wide range of ticket prices based on seat location while Maine has just the $23 single-game ticket."
It's somewhat misleading to say Maine only has just the $23 single game ticket.
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Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
That's one of the dumbest articles i've ever read. Kreech says that $50 is in line with other schools than they list all the other schools prices and its about half of what Maine is charging. Are there really only 960 $50 seats? That seems too low to me but I could be wrong. There definitely were more people at games last year versus the year before too. The school surely has the data available, why don't they just tell the BDN? They're scanning every ticket and that information must go someplace.
That's one of the dumbest articles i've ever read. Kreech says that $50 is in line with other schools than they list all the other schools prices and its about half of what Maine is charging. Are there really only 960 $50 seats? That seems too low to me but I could be wrong. There definitely were more people at games last year versus the year before too. The school surely has the data available, why don't they just tell the BDN? They're scanning every ticket and that information must go someplace.
Ma#1ne Hky
New member
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
Winning puts people in the seats...
Winning puts people in the seats...
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Priceless
Guest
I counted and posted the data in a previous thread. I think it was closer to 1200 but my memory is Swiss cheese and the number might have changed - Kreech would have the right number.
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Priceless
Guest
In other news, Larry writes that the games against Union are home games. Those have been reported as games at Union. That would be a nice boost to the home slate if true.
TERRIERFANinLA
Registered User
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
winning DID put butts in seats, back when tickets were a lot less expensive. There is no garuntee that people will fill the alfond at current ticket prices once Maine starts winning regularly.
this is still Penobscot county where people do not make any where near as much as people make in the other cities where a hockey ticket costs $23. That said, BU is still mostly empty for most home games.
Maine needs to attract 10 year olds and make it possible and attractive for parents to take their kids to games at Alfond. It was not all that long ago that Lowell had coaches and "ambassadors" going to Middle Schools and handing out piles of free tickets, just to get kids interested in Lowell hockey. Finally there is interest in hockey games there.
Maine fans have got to average 50 years old.
winning DID put butts in seats, back when tickets were a lot less expensive. There is no garuntee that people will fill the alfond at current ticket prices once Maine starts winning regularly.
this is still Penobscot county where people do not make any where near as much as people make in the other cities where a hockey ticket costs $23. That said, BU is still mostly empty for most home games.
Maine needs to attract 10 year olds and make it possible and attractive for parents to take their kids to games at Alfond. It was not all that long ago that Lowell had coaches and "ambassadors" going to Middle Schools and handing out piles of free tickets, just to get kids interested in Lowell hockey. Finally there is interest in hockey games there.
Maine fans have got to average 50 years old.
Ma#1ne Hky
New member
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
I'm all for lowering the Prices...but do you really think UMaine will..? They'll have to if there goal is to fill the building each and every game next season...imo a single game ticket should go for $15...it will be interesting to see what the NEW A.D. has in store in pricing games.
TERRIERFANinLA
Registered User
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
yes, I do think that UMaine will lower ticket prices, at least for kids. The average age of a Maine fan has GOT to be 50, if not 55. More fans a passing away than new ones are taking their places.
The AHL teams understand that a $10 ticket for a kid also goes along with the sale of a hot dog, pop corn, fried dough and soda sales, along with a souvenir.
My suggestion was to give every season ticket holder a coupon to bring in a kid for free for every season ticket owned, for games that are not sold out. First come, first served. Once there is a rush created for the tickets, then people will start buying more season tickets and more single game seats before the are sold to kids.
I felt like a complete fool buying my Merrimack Playoff tickets in advance, in anticipation of being shut out at the window, only to arrive to see a half empty building, yet again.(I really do not like paying a "service charge" for using my credit card over the phone, but I will, if it means I get a ticket to a sold out event.)
yes, I do think that UMaine will lower ticket prices, at least for kids. The average age of a Maine fan has GOT to be 50, if not 55. More fans a passing away than new ones are taking their places.
The AHL teams understand that a $10 ticket for a kid also goes along with the sale of a hot dog, pop corn, fried dough and soda sales, along with a souvenir.
My suggestion was to give every season ticket holder a coupon to bring in a kid for free for every season ticket owned, for games that are not sold out. First come, first served. Once there is a rush created for the tickets, then people will start buying more season tickets and more single game seats before the are sold to kids.
I felt like a complete fool buying my Merrimack Playoff tickets in advance, in anticipation of being shut out at the window, only to arrive to see a half empty building, yet again.(I really do not like paying a "service charge" for using my credit card over the phone, but I will, if it means I get a ticket to a sold out event.)
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Priceless
Guest
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
Matt Dewkett posted some very helpful figures on the Facebook page on why it doesn't make fiscal sense for the university to change the $50 seats. A special price for kids in the $23 sections are probably the best bet for changes. MAYBE a drop from $23 to a more reasonable amount, but the $50 seats are likely here to stay.
Look at it this way: when you go to a Bruins game, the premium seats are too expensive for most of us to buy. We don't insist they lower the price, we buy more affordable seats.
Matt Dewkett posted some very helpful figures on the Facebook page on why it doesn't make fiscal sense for the university to change the $50 seats. A special price for kids in the $23 sections are probably the best bet for changes. MAYBE a drop from $23 to a more reasonable amount, but the $50 seats are likely here to stay.
Look at it this way: when you go to a Bruins game, the premium seats are too expensive for most of us to buy. We don't insist they lower the price, we buy more affordable seats.
blackbearbandie
Registered User
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
When it comes to Maine's decision to increase ticket prices by such a huge jump two seasons ago to $50 for "premium" seats, to keep them at that price after this season when most people have shown they aren't willing to pay that price (and the seats more often than not were left empty as a result) makes no sense if even those who can afford the additional cost aren't willing to pay the extra expense. Lowering prices across the board will go a long way to filling up the empty seats.
When it comes to Maine's decision to increase ticket prices by such a huge jump two seasons ago to $50 for "premium" seats, to keep them at that price after this season when most people have shown they aren't willing to pay that price (and the seats more often than not were left empty as a result) makes no sense if even those who can afford the additional cost aren't willing to pay the extra expense. Lowering prices across the board will go a long way to filling up the empty seats.
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Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
Have not read Matt's piece. However Economics 101 would seem to indicate that if there are 1,000 seats at $50 and less than 50% of them are filled on a nightly basis, that charging $25 for them and having them filled does the following:
1. Increases ticket revenue
2. Brings in more for concessions
3. Increases the likelihood of those attending to return for another game
4. A full arena on tv demonstrates that Maine Hockey is once again a "Hot Ticket" and might urge others to purchase their tickets via the online site
Finally
5. Inspires the team to play even better when the place is packed night in and night out.
An ancillary benefit is by having more people back in the building the likelihood of them investing once again in the program or in the University in general is enhanced. How do they invest? By donating or joining Friends of Maine Hockey, by purchasing merchandise at Bear Necessities, by introducing their kids to the University who in turn might decide they want to sit up in that student section one day!
Or you can continue to say it is $50 for the seats, which continue to stay empty. These $50 seats are in an arena where the average HHI is lower than any of the other Hockey East schools, and HHI is likely double in Boston where prices are the same or lower! Penny wise and pound foolish! Not sure of the mental midget who thought it a good idea to charge the highest ticket prices in Hockey East when the program was in a downturn? That is how businesses go out of business in the private sector, not understanding the marketplace! The more people who experience a hockey game at the Alfond the better! The better for the program, the University, and for cash flow! And the better for attracting more blue chip recruits by the way!
Have not read Matt's piece. However Economics 101 would seem to indicate that if there are 1,000 seats at $50 and less than 50% of them are filled on a nightly basis, that charging $25 for them and having them filled does the following:
1. Increases ticket revenue
2. Brings in more for concessions
3. Increases the likelihood of those attending to return for another game
4. A full arena on tv demonstrates that Maine Hockey is once again a "Hot Ticket" and might urge others to purchase their tickets via the online site
Finally
5. Inspires the team to play even better when the place is packed night in and night out.
An ancillary benefit is by having more people back in the building the likelihood of them investing once again in the program or in the University in general is enhanced. How do they invest? By donating or joining Friends of Maine Hockey, by purchasing merchandise at Bear Necessities, by introducing their kids to the University who in turn might decide they want to sit up in that student section one day!
Or you can continue to say it is $50 for the seats, which continue to stay empty. These $50 seats are in an arena where the average HHI is lower than any of the other Hockey East schools, and HHI is likely double in Boston where prices are the same or lower! Penny wise and pound foolish! Not sure of the mental midget who thought it a good idea to charge the highest ticket prices in Hockey East when the program was in a downturn? That is how businesses go out of business in the private sector, not understanding the marketplace! The more people who experience a hockey game at the Alfond the better! The better for the program, the University, and for cash flow! And the better for attracting more blue chip recruits by the way!
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P
Priceless
Guest
But people HAVE shown they are willing to pay the higher price. Most of the $50 seats are sold to season ticket holders. Why would the university lower the price of a ticket they are already selling? There are plenty of $23 tickets for everyone else to buy. If they were consistently selling out of the $23 tickets and had lots of $50 seats that went unsold you would have a point. Also, there is a difference between unsold and sold but empty. To the university, the important thing is the seats are sold.
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
Priceless, did you watch games on TV this year? Did you see all of the empty BLUE seats around Red? Season ticket holders who were dressed as empty seats? I did not bite on all the hype of the $50 seats until I went online to buy tickets for the last game of the year vs. PC. A game that should have been in high demand given what was on the line. When I went to the Maine site I saw plenty of seats for sale in the lower bowl and even the seat back seats in the second level at center ice. There had to be 1000 available! And every time I clicked on one it was $50!!!! That is the reality, and this was not some game versus New Brunswick, it was senior night at home. Lots of seats all for $50! It does not work in Orono, Maine, PERIOD!
I could afford to buy the seats once or twice a year, but refuse on principal. Were the place sold out at that was the going rate, so be it. It is not! Thus asking a person, a couple, a family, to shell out $50 per ticket, with wages being what they are in Orono is idiotic! Make all the arguments for it you want. It makes no sense to have that building 1,000 to 2,000 seats under capacity on a night in night out basis. Never introducing people to the sport because they can't afford a ticket has an incalculable impact, when compared to having them attend 2 or 3 games and buying merchandise and being fans for life. Take a long range approach and don't try and count dollars today, this is a business the University and the hockey team will be around longer than all of us. Set things up for success, to introduce the game to more and more fans, not charge an arms and a leg and say sorry this is just for the haves and not have nots! No way to run a business!
Priceless, did you watch games on TV this year? Did you see all of the empty BLUE seats around Red? Season ticket holders who were dressed as empty seats? I did not bite on all the hype of the $50 seats until I went online to buy tickets for the last game of the year vs. PC. A game that should have been in high demand given what was on the line. When I went to the Maine site I saw plenty of seats for sale in the lower bowl and even the seat back seats in the second level at center ice. There had to be 1000 available! And every time I clicked on one it was $50!!!! That is the reality, and this was not some game versus New Brunswick, it was senior night at home. Lots of seats all for $50! It does not work in Orono, Maine, PERIOD!
I could afford to buy the seats once or twice a year, but refuse on principal. Were the place sold out at that was the going rate, so be it. It is not! Thus asking a person, a couple, a family, to shell out $50 per ticket, with wages being what they are in Orono is idiotic! Make all the arguments for it you want. It makes no sense to have that building 1,000 to 2,000 seats under capacity on a night in night out basis. Never introducing people to the sport because they can't afford a ticket has an incalculable impact, when compared to having them attend 2 or 3 games and buying merchandise and being fans for life. Take a long range approach and don't try and count dollars today, this is a business the University and the hockey team will be around longer than all of us. Set things up for success, to introduce the game to more and more fans, not charge an arms and a leg and say sorry this is just for the haves and not have nots! No way to run a business!
blackbearbandie
Registered User
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
Yeah, it's true what you say that most of those $50 seats go to season ticket holders anyways, but from what I've seen it appears as though people have shown that although they are willing to buy tickets at the $50 prices for the remaining seats that don't belong to the season ticket holders for games against B.C. and UNH, they have also shown that they aren't willing to buy up those same leftover premium seats on a regular basis against other opponents. If the athletic department can raise ticket prices, or even keep the prices as they are, and increase ticket sales and fill the seats then by all means they would be foolish not to, but it remains to be seen whether that will happen because it has yet to happen and attendance has fallen.
Yeah, it's true what you say that most of those $50 seats go to season ticket holders anyways, but from what I've seen it appears as though people have shown that although they are willing to buy tickets at the $50 prices for the remaining seats that don't belong to the season ticket holders for games against B.C. and UNH, they have also shown that they aren't willing to buy up those same leftover premium seats on a regular basis against other opponents. If the athletic department can raise ticket prices, or even keep the prices as they are, and increase ticket sales and fill the seats then by all means they would be foolish not to, but it remains to be seen whether that will happen because it has yet to happen and attendance has fallen.
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Priceless
Guest
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red White Bleeding Blue...
Like I said Bob, there's a difference between unsold and sold but empty. Those seats are almost all sold. Visit the ticket website and you see that they are unavailable for purchase. Don't ask me why people shell out that kind of money and then don't bother to attend the game.
Of 960 $50 seats, 694 are sold to season ticket holders - 72%. There are over 800 of the $23 seats available for games (on average) so that's where the focus needs to be. If none of the $50 seats sold you would have a case. They are selling.
Like I said Bob, there's a difference between unsold and sold but empty. Those seats are almost all sold. Visit the ticket website and you see that they are unavailable for purchase. Don't ask me why people shell out that kind of money and then don't bother to attend the game.
Of 960 $50 seats, 694 are sold to season ticket holders - 72%. There are over 800 of the $23 seats available for games (on average) so that's where the focus needs to be. If none of the $50 seats sold you would have a case. They are selling.
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