[PhantomCat]

Hey, Jonathan and other fans!

Hockey season is almost here. You going to any of the games this season?
The TWC Arena never opens the second floor because of low turn outs. Now that the Charlotte Checkers have moved up a level, do you think the crowds will come?

[TrojanCamMan]

Most likely not. There may be an up in publicity for the Checkers, I just don't see the crowds to change.

[PhantomCat]

Auh man, have some faith in the guys.

[TrojanCamMan]

haha! I have not seen them play in years. The last time I saw them play was when Charlotte Colosseum (Good Times) was still around, and they were playing at Cricket Arena (now Bojangles Colosseum.)

[Jonathan]

I wouldn't really call the Checkers' crowds a low turn out. No minor league hockey team would ever realistically expect to fill up a major league arena like the TWC. The Checkers are one of the better attended minor league hockey teams in North America (they were 4th in ECHL average attendance last season and would have been 10th in the AHL). Very few other teams (if any) play in an arena the size of the one in Charlotte, so it makes sense for them to only open certain sections during games.

The highest attended team in North American minor league hockey, the Hershey Bears, averaged 9,520 fans a game last season. Even in Canadian junior hockey the highest attended team, Quebec, averaged just over 12,000 fans a game, and the second highest was the London Knights with just over 9,000.

I think you will see some Hurricanes fans who previously had no reason to care about the Checkers start attending games (I know Canes Country has a couple buses coming down from Raleigh for opening night), and the Canes should be able to establish more of a presence in Charlotte.

[PhantomCat]

Hey Jonathan - the man comes with figures.
Let's hope you're right.
I want everything Charlotte to go over well and blow up! Especially with our new baseball stadium - if they only stop fighting over the location for it to be built and build it already!

[TrojanCamMan]

Lets go Major League Baseball! Theres a saying - Go Big or go home. I believe that is a huge factor in the baseball stadium situation.

[coasterdave]

Charlotte has a Hockey Team? Never knew that but do not think I have saw or noticed any banners at Time Warner and I was there just last night.

[KenB]

I'm trying to figure out what happened to the NFL team that used to play on Mint and Graham...

[PhantomCat]

coasterdave
Yes, sir. We're called the Charlotte Checkers and this is our first season after moving up one league. We've been playing on the bottom, now we're only one away from the top league. Games haven't started yet, thus, I was asking, "Is anyone going to any of the games?"

So. you were just at the Arena... Did you see Lady Gaga Friday night? Did her fans dress weird too? Do pray tell! Please create a post and talk about the show.

[PhantomCat]

KenB
Was that the team called The Cobras?

[TrojanCamMan]

^ That would be the Carolina Panthers! Moore has been benched, Clausen is our guy.

[PhantomCat]

I knew who you were talking about when you named the streets - via the smile and my avatar.
This should prove to be a very interesting season. They're already on a losing streak but there's enough time for them to correct the issues and start winning. Let's make it to the Super Bowl, Cats!

When I say "Carolina," you say "Panthers!"
Carolina
Panthers!
Go Meat!

[TrojanCamMan]

Would you put a rebuilding tag on this season?

I think we have to much experience on both sides of the ball for it to be called a rebuilding season, its just that we stink.

[PhantomCat]

Oh, ye of little faith.
You could always cheer for the Checkers...