Nashville's "raucus" hockey scene makes the Toronto news

[nashvols]

Originally Posted by emanresu1

Even with a non-playoff team last year and a coach about to get the pink slip, Nashville had higher attendance than more traditional hockey places such as Colorado, Winnipeg, and NY (Islanders).

Carolina and the Florida Panthers didn't fare so well for the "unusual" markets. They finished well into the last two spots with very poor per-game averages.

To be fair, Winnipeg is limited by arena size. To a degree, Nashville is, too. The barn holds a little over 17,000. There are a lot of prime nights that I don't doubt we could cruise past 18,000, maybe even 19,000 (especially when there's a large visiting crowd), but it is what it is. We have about 98% occupancy. Peg is at 100%, and could likely outdraw us if given the opportunity.

I'm very proud of our numbers, but I'm not quick to point fingers at other markets (well, most other markets) and laugh, given how close we came to losing our team several years ago, and how we basically had to prove that we even have a fanbase.

Carolina is fine -- their team is down, so they have a little bit of an excuse (look at Chicago's attendance in the 'dark years'). Florida? Florida is just pathetic. Tampa knows how to do it.

[Tenn82]

Originally Posted by UKWildcat1981

Never thought hockey would work in the South, I was wrong. Not an NHL fan but NHL seems to be working well in Nashville.

I think a lot of southern areas re just in the habit of supporting their "hometown favorites" in sports regardless. Unless they just completely screw up like the Titans

just one example, my grandmother watches Brandt Snedeker now every single time she knows he's in a tournament and roots for him

before that, she never watched or cared for golf or the PGA in her whole life except just occasionally seeing my granddad (RIP) play at McCabe Park or something.

anyway, Memphis has grizzlies and we have the Preds

that is unless of course the Titans can ever get their crap together again, which is next to never at this point.

personally I've always been proud of the Preds even though I usually never watch them, but they did make to the championships. We actually have a damn good hockey team, most the time.

one poster was right. they're like our counter balance to the Titans half the time. I think it helps keep Nashville sane.