MLSE's Better Side

It wasn't a good day for Justin Pogge, the next saviour of the Maple Leafs, and you had to wonder how the math works that gets beer up to $6 a glass and pizza sold at $4.15 a slice.

But 6,800 fans couldn't all be wrong, and that was the number that filled Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday to watch the AHL Marlies play the Albany River Rats. With Pogge having a so-so matinee outing after playing in Hamilton the night before, the Rats won the game, but that didn't really dilute the fun in the building and the sense that the Marlies have something pretty good going on both on and off the ice.

They're a first place team, for starters.  But this is a situation in which MLSE actually listened to the public, and have been rewarded for doing so. They chopped ticket prices over the off-season, finally realizing that getting 2,500 or less a night was evidence that they'd overpriced their product.

On Sunday, the building was filled with kids and families, and rather than blasting heavy metal music, there was Spongebob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer mascots handing out goodies. Kids could get lunchboxes going in with Pogge bobblehead dolls, and there were actually dads and their children playing mini-sticks in concourses between periods.

The building itself really feels and looks like a hockey rink now. You can park for $11 in the underground lot adjacent to the rink and sit in a terrific seat for $30 or less. There's lots of room for walking around and getting food and drink, although the long lines on Sunday suggested the Marlies might not have been prepared for the big crowd that showed up.

For a long time, its been believed that this isn't a hockey town, but a Leaf town, and junior teams have struggled to establish a foothold despite years of trying. The Marlies may be proving to be an exception, although it could be argued that as a team that is effectively the next rung of the Leaf organization the Marlies are really proving the rule to be true.

But they've got a good team, it's a terrific arena to watch a game and the city's hockey fans, for whatever reason, seem to be responding.

Comments

[chris]

Or, it could be, Damien, that the families bought the tickets as stocking stuffers for Christmas and that they were to be used over the holiday break. The Marlies, it would seem, make the most sense for a hockey loving, blue and white family to acquire as Maple Leaf tickets are A) too expensive for the average family to afford, and B) too scarce to find.

[Earl Nelville]

The Marlies look great and provide equally great entertainment value. This club has got to be being run by the basketball side of the MLSE operation. The hockey wizards of MLSE couldn't possibly have had a hand in assembling this team. Hey let's switch the Marlies for the Leafs and see what happens...oh wait a minute, the Marlies are doing well. If we made the switch then that means Raycroft would be in net and that penalty prone genius Andy Wozniewski would be dangerous in two locations. Then they would begin the rapid crash landing into the AHL basement. Naw forget it, leave the Marlies alone, and SHHHHH! Don't tell MLSE suits what's going on, they'll screw it all up.

[Rob]

Everyone should take in an AHL game at least once a season.
For families, the matinees are a great way to entertain the family, and for the guys night out its a lot cheaper than an NHL game (and the fights are better).

[David in San Diego]

Damien, I could not agree more. My wife and I were in GTA for a couple weeks on holiday and visiting family. We decided to see the Marlies rather than see the Leafs. Great game, great energy, wonderful arena and we had phenomenal seats for less than $80.00. There were about 6 thousand on hand for a Sunday afternoon game and they all saw a quality product. I will continue to see the Leafs on the road. In fact, we are looking forward to seeing them in LA and Anaheim in January, however if we were living in TO it would be the juniors and Marlies until the MSLE can put a quality NHL product on the ice.

[sean pratt]

We live near Hamilton and made the decision to forego the Leafs and catch the Marlies Saturday night. Hard skating, hard-hitting action. On the way home, we turned on the radio and thought 'Boy, did we make the right call.'

[notme]

Absolutely right!

Plus the TTC gets there too!
I went yesterday to get tickets for saturday, January 5th and they are sold out! .. great news!
It's really sad when watching some games on TV it looks like empty seats in there!

the players deserve us! and glad that we are responding!

Great place for a good Saturday or Sunday afternoon! . . even through the week!
Some co-workers and i got there some times!

Keep supporting the Marlies, . . not for the money, but for the sport! :)

thank you!

[Jason]

Perhaps MLSE listened to what the public wanted with regards to the Marlies but I think it more likely they listened to the sound of silent cash registers and made some moves. Dropping prices for AHL games might be one move, but forcing Marlies tickets onto Toronto FC fans was another so don't be singing MLSE's praises too much. It worked for them when they wanted to sell Raptors season tix by way of forcing them upon Leafs season ticket holders, and if something works for MLSE, they stick to it (for a reference point, see the profit margins the Leafs have pulled down without winning a Cup).

In any event, they'll make up the loss vis-a-vis the price of Leafs tix and they'll quietly boost the Marlies tix prices up in the off-season. As history shows, MLSE certainly knows a thing or two about duping the public.

[Jackki]

I am a Marlies season ticket holder and have been since the beginning. It's nice to see some attention being given to the Marlies. I unfortunately have missed the two games where they've been sold out as I'm in the Czech Republic watching the Juniors but from what I've been told, the players said that the crowd changed the dynamics of the game on the 27th because of how loud they were, it's too bad that doesn't happen a lot.
My point is that I can't agree with you more, head down to a Marlies game if you can, 2nd in the West 1st in the North! LET'S GO MARLIES!

[Jerry]

I've been a Marlies season ticket holder now for two seasons, and while I've always called it the best sports deal in town, I'm thrilled that the team is finally getting the recognition it deserves. The staff work hard to create a family friendly product and those who I've brought to games have returned for others. The Marlies' success is by virtue of word of mouth and a focus on families and groups - which are shut out of attending Maple Leafs games due to price and availability. The AHL has a fantastic product and next year's sensations across the NHL can be seen for a great price today.

But kudos to Damien for being the first sports writer in a long time to take a look at and critique the Marlies as a product, rather than lump them in as part of the MLSE umbrella.

[norm depalma]

Thanks NHL and NBC for presenting another good exhibition of the league's irrevocable descent into oblivion.

Now even the casual viewer of hockey was able to see 7-10 talented players surrounded by 20-30 mediocre journeymen. To see how offensive play has been reduced to pointless cycling, shots from the outside, grinding in the corners...how the puck is never thrown in front of the net for a real scoring chance, how a one-on-one or two-on-one can fail to produce even a shot on net.

If the league is serious about getting a real TV contract, start really contracting the league. Drop the 6-10 teams and resulting 120-200 lesser light players.

Bring back hockey before it's too late.

ah, who's kidding, it's too late already.

[baac]

Bought a ticket package for the Roadrunners, and have gone to see Marlies games since they showed up. GO SEE the Marlies - the AHL is the best hockey value in the city, and you'll have a great time!

[Pablo G.]

Couldn't agree more! I took my 2.5 yr old daughter to see the Marlies as her first hockey game (I wanted her to experience a winning hockey club in Toronto) and she had a fantastic time! There were so many families there and the activities area they have set up for kids is genius - as is the Child Find stickers they give parents to put on their kids clothing so if the child gets lost in the arena they know where to find the parent.
It's those little things that separates going to see a fun, family friendly Marlies game versus a corporate, money-money-money Leaf game. Plus - the Marlies actually win more often than not.