tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930784564242369575.post1928000090700984880..comments2023-07-28T05:39:44.453-04:00Comments on Capitals Kremlin: Breaking Ground for Hockey TownReed-CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200249604415660177noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930784564242369575.post-29644429619294286852009-04-12T10:50:00.000-04:002009-04-12T10:50:00.000-04:00I'm not saying that overnight we're going to becom...I'm not saying that overnight we're going to become "hockey town," but more or less, it's our chance the break ground and begin to become one.<BR/><BR/>Last year analysts said our arena was louder than Bell Centre. That's saying something. This year it could be the loudest and best place to play if our fans really come out.<BR/><BR/>You're absolutely right, it takes time to create a hockey culture and two years isn't enough time -- but it has to start somewhere, why not now?<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the great comment btw.Reed-CKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200249604415660177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930784564242369575.post-81119662435809560592009-04-12T09:41:00.000-04:002009-04-12T09:41:00.000-04:00So I moved here 2.5 years ago and as a hockey fan ...So I moved here 2.5 years ago and as a hockey fan the first thing I did was get tickets to the Caps to watch the greatest player in a generation [OV]. 2 years ago I sat in an empty arena week after week and watched 7,000 out of 8,000 fans cheer for the other team. In time the Caps grew on me. I have had season tickets for 2 years now and have enjoyed it. I have been happy to watch all these fans fill the arena. The playoff games last year were some of the best sporting events I have ever been to and Verizon Center is so loud! People talk hockey in the arena and on the street. People outside DC call them bandwagon fans and they are for the most part. I don't care. It's nice to see people care about the sport I love so much. The average Caps fan doesn't know much about the sport but I must admit the die hard fans who have been supporting the team, even in the lean years, know their hockey. Yes, I am looking at you sections 108-103. <BR/><BR/>But, you write:<BR/><BR/>"It’s our chance to stand in line with the best of the best and to make Washington, not New York, Montreal or Detroit, the grandest stage in hockey."<BR/><BR/>Come on. One year a hockeytown doesn't make. Not like New York, Montreal or Detroit...and i would add Calgary, Buffalo, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Pittsburgh and Philly to that list. <BR/><BR/>If you have spent time in the hockey cultures of these towns, you'd know DC has a long way to go. I'm not saying it's not on its way and that I'm not excited about what is happening here and glad to be a part of it, but you need to measure a hockey town by its knowledge of the history of the game and the team, the ability to fill a stadium even under lean years and losing seasons, the press coverage in the mainstream press, and the fan interest in the offseason. None of which are present in DC like they are in the aforementioned cities.<BR/><BR/>I hope to see DC as one of the best places for hockey in the NHL. It has the chance to do that and a marvelous owner who has been great at marketing the game in a tough climate. However, Detroit is hockeytown with Montreal a close second. Calgary and Edmonton is possibly the best rivalry in sports whose fan support is unparalleled. Buffalo saw crowds of 20% of the population of the city show up at the arena for away playoff games, so much so they had to put it on a screen outside. Philly's fans are some of the smartest in the game. DC has a long way to go to get there.Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930784564242369575.post-39181772978212773132009-04-12T02:45:00.000-04:002009-04-12T02:45:00.000-04:00part of me wants to shake your handthe other wants...part of me wants to shake your hand<BR/>the other wants pour you a beer and go yell at Rangers fans!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com