Pitts wrote:Bhaw, the only opinion I can add here is that this particular game is a very special event. It isn't a normal Buffalo home game, even though is "technically" is. IMO, Buffalo and Penguins fans should have had a pre-sale dedicated solely to them. After that sale went off, and it could have been the next day, they open it to the general audience. One could argue that the NHL thought it might not sell out, but how would it have been any different with the botched system they had in place? With Buffalo being so close to Canada, everyone knew those tickets would go like hot-cakes. Maybe not 30 minute hot-cakes, but still, we knew they'd sell. It's not about Toronto fans, or Blue Jays fans or Bills fans. This is a very special event that many, many people just want to be a part of. To toss 1500 seats to Pittsburgh is pretty much a slap in the face. Sidney Crosby is selling this game, not Thomas Vanek.
I agree that it would have been nice if they gave Pittsburgh more tickets, but the Sabers and the NHL are running a business. Their goal is to sell the tickets. Again, also remember that this is the FIRST TIME EVER the NHL has put on an outdoor event in the United States. They had no idea what the best way to distribute tickets would be.
Bottom line is that there WILL BE 71,000 people at this game and it will be avialable on national TV. Seriously, what more do you want out of the NHL at this point for this game? Sorry they hurt your feelings in an attempt to make progress for the sport that EVERYONE here complains about being put down by ESPN and football and baseball fans. You can't have it all. I'm sure this tradition will continue, being it is looking to be successful, and the ticket distribution method will be refined.
Btw... the argument about Crosby selling the game out... that goes for almost any away game this year. When they go to play the Lightning or the Panthers, are those clubs expected to hold back tickets for Penguin fans to make sure they get a "fair shot" at tickets for that game? Crosby is selling out those arenas, so as a Pittsburgh fan, am I more deserving than a casual Florida fan?
The Super Bowl is a "special event." They don't hold back presale tickets for the teams that make it, right? And that is one of the most popular and successful sporting events in the world. Put yourself in the NHL's shoes. You would be dancing a jig right now knowing that you just sold this game out.