May 7, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens center Lars Eller (81) shoots as Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) defends during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve all heard about it. Fans of the Montreal Canadiens are not welcome at playoffs in Tampa Bay when the Lightning are in contention.
Here’s how CBC carried it, and just reading the comment threads (something that can be painful, frustrating, entertaining, and amusing all at the same time) shows how “well” this has been received. Some fans think it’s okay for this to happen, citing other arenas and other sports that have done it for years. Some think it’s going to backfire. And some have bucked the system, buying tickets from third-party sellers (at exorbitant prices, no doubt) while vowing not to spend a penny inside the arena during the game.
The Ottawa Senators organization did the exact same thing for Round 1. If anything, I can understand that a lot more; after all, Ottawa is a 2-hour drive (maximum) from Montreal, and if they’d sold tickets to everyone, chances are there would be more Habs fans than Senators fans lining the arena.
But the thing is, if you watched the first round you will remember the vast sea of bleu-blanc-rouge, the “olé” chants (in celebration, not mockery) and even the inability to hear whether the “Go ____ Go” was “Go Sens Go” or “Go Habs Go” – there are just that many Habs fans in the Ottawa area.
Of course, it’s probable that many Montrealers have friends who bought tickets for them, and just drove down on game days. And as the National Post says, scalpers were the ones who profited immensely.
On the other hand, Tampa Bay is a little further from Montreal than a short drive; there may be those who are able, both financially and time-wise, to attend Round 2 games and cheer on Montreal, but the likelihood of that was a lot more remote than the Ottawa games.
So why is Tampa doing this?
First, let me clarify: lest every Canadian take offense, this was not solely against Canadians or Montrealers. For Round 1, when the Bolts faced the Red Wings, ticket sales were restricted as well.
They’re doing it – as stated – to build a home base for the Lightning. Bill Wickett, executive vice-president of communications for the Lightning, says: “Our season-ticket members don’t like coming to the building and sitting next to fans from other teams for the games.”
This makes me shake my head in disbelief. We live in a society of the most diverse demographics, and we don’t all agree on everything. Nor can we control who we sit next to in any given public place. Yet this elitist attitude could hurt the team’s revenue more than help it. It certainly doesn’t help their reputation; it makes the team and their organization look very petty.
To add to the restrictions, ticket holders are warned that no opposing team colors will be tolerated within various areas of the arena. This photo from All About The Habs’ Facebook page, says it all:
Screen shot of Tampa Bay ticket sales online. Credit to All About The Habs Facebook Page for the photo.
Again, I shake my head: more power to them if they can sell $500-$800-tickets to those willing not to show their allegiance to the opposing team. But should you buy those tickets and show up in Habs colors, you would be given a neutral-colored jersey to cover them up.
Is it paranoia? Is it disdain? The rebel in me would have loved to have removed said neutral-colored jersey and flaunted my Habs jersey, given the chance. The “always follows directions” me might not have chanced it.
But then, I wouldn’t have given money to such a restrictive organization.
Didn’t quite work, either – if you look closely at this photo, a few Canadiens fans are seen clearly wearing Habs jerseys, at the game in Tampa Bay; right up close, too! Even a Canadian Flag flies proudly to the right of the photo. What a bunch of mavericks!
May 7, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry (26) is congratulated by defenseman P.K. Subban (76) after he scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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