There is something romantic, nostalgic and darn-right quaint about Jack Gatecliff Arena. Whether it's the overhanging press box, the wooden benches for seating or the fact you have to check for traffic before bending over to tie your shoe because the walkways are so small.
But from a business standpoint, one has to wonder how the Niagara IceDogs owners can make a go of it.
Place is supposed to house 2,600, so even sold out it would be hard to break even at the rink, which bears a resemblance to Guelph's old Memorial Gardens.
Yesterday's announced crowd was 2,284, but there couldn't have been more than 1,600-1,700 in the place. They must be using the same math that has been announcing crowds of well over 3,000 at the first few Storm home games.
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Parking is a mess at the St. Catharines arena, particularly moreso for out-of-towners who don't know where the free parking is.
Guy close to the rink had a sign asking $5 to park in an alley. Not sure if the fella' owned the alley, but he definitely looked like he might have lived in it.
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Expect Cody St. Jacques to be the Storm's number one goalie until further notice. He has simply been better than Thomas McCollum so far this season and Dave Barr is done playing Mr. Nice Guy. I wouldn't be surprised if St. Jacques got all three starts this coming weekend.
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Patrick Moran got benched — again — against the IceDogs. I believe that makes it five or six games in a row he has been glued to the pine most of the game.
Too bad, because I thought he has shown signs of becoming a half decent player and more mature player this year.
this guy was nominated for a sports writing award. please. must have been by the same people who counted the fans in the stands. there were easily over 2200 people in the stands. and sports? is there anything here at all about sports?
Posted by: paul | October 16, 2007 at 04:19 PM
I also thimk this man should count the crowd count loked right to me some sections were full only the ends and corners had empty seats and not to many plus lot of people were standing also maybe he could not see that from his vantage point.
Posted by: brad | October 16, 2007 at 04:37 PM
Let's see here.
Regarding the arena -- capacity is 3,100, not 2,600.
Regarding parking -- there's a nice large sign coming off Highway 406 that says "IceDogs Free Parking" with a nice large arrow. Probably missed it along with the extra 500 seats our arena has.
-- a transplanted Guelphite now in St. Catharines
Posted by: Andy | October 16, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Wow, you didn't see the big huge sign, when you came off the 406, showing you where the free parking was? Or were you too lazy to walk the six minutes, (partially uphill), to get to the arena from the parking lot?
Also, capacity is 3,100 WITH standing room....seating capacity is only 2,800....and, since they only sell standing room if its sold out (which it obviously wasn't), than, those who were standing around the entire perimeter of the arena (did you see them!?), obviously bought seats, had they been sitting, it would have looked more full.
Try not to rain too hard on our parade here, we're glad jr. a hockey is back in the city after a 30 year absence....perhaps you're just bitter cuz the Dogs won again, and because the Dogs are amongst the cream of the crop in the OHL this year!
Go Dogs Go!
Posted by: Strohs | October 17, 2007 at 01:43 AM
I can't tell whether you are writing a sports column or a commentary on the HUGE loss your team suffered at the paws of the icedogs. Oh wait, you must have gone to the Larry Storch school of journalism, those skills show man, those skills show. What exactly can't you not love about the classic feeling of a great canadian hockey arena? Do you prefer your plush corporate seating with some red wine and sushi? Get off your high horse and give Niagara some credit. Mr. Burke has poured his heart and wallet out to accomplish this amazing feat only to get reviews like this from pompous jerks like you? Next time your team comes down for a good ole game of hockey, I suggest you take the day off and let an intern do a better 'review'. Don't quit your day job...Oh wait.
Guelph just made my list of cities to speed through on my way to bigger and better things, thanks idiot.
Posted by: Doug MacKenzie | October 18, 2007 at 07:59 AM
Visit the Niagara Dog House for REAL sports blogs... (No lies and lack of counting ability)
WWW.NIAGARADOGHOUSE.COM
Posted by: DOGHOUSE | October 18, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Who are you ? Tony?
I find your write ups to be almost wrong about everything you have written about. I dont like you... If I ever had a conversation with you I'd probably hit you.
Posted by: Steve | November 25, 2007 at 06:47 PM