Senators deny themselves playoff revenue to get fans back

From the pro media:

"With attendance down more than six per cent this season, the Ottawa Senators are turning to price reductions and free parking to try and boost season ticket numbers."

The Ottawa Sun's Don Brennan provided more specifics::

"All renewing full- and half-season ticket holders will pay regular season prices during the first two rounds of the playoffs in 2010 and 2011, as well as discounts in rounds three and four."

There is an argument NHL teams go a little too far with jacking up the face value of tickets at playoff time. However, as you know, the NHL is an attendance-driven league. The post-season is where franchises can really make money (not to mention, there is the secondary ticket market). The Senators, to some extent, are punting that to try to get people back for the regular season, where a first priority is just to make sure a team makes enough to recoup expenses.

It is a concern the Senators are willing to agree to cap their potential take if they go deep into the playoffs. It is like a store closing early on the last Saturday before Christmas. Speaking as someone who does love living in a city with a NHL team ("better not move to Toronto" joke goes here).

Then again, it is possible the Senators organization lived a little high on the hog in 2006-07 and '07-08. Their financial fortunes may be returning to equilibrium, so it might not be so bad (just not great).

Meantime, not that the two are being linked, but it is amusing that was announced the same day The Universal Cynic passed along at a fan's tale of what can happen when someone comes to Scotiabank Place expecting to cheer at a hockey game, instead of sitting there like mummies:

"From before they even dropped the puck, SBP ushers were eye-balling us from every post. We assumed they had never seen Sens fans as dedicated as us before and didn't think much of it (remember, this is Ottawa – home of some of the worst fans in Canada). But that was short-lived as the ushers began asking anyone near us “Are they too loud? Are they bothering you? Everyone simply answered 'No, they’re fine'. Shortly after, 2 security guards showed up to tell us to deflate a beach ball one member had brought to the game – apparently due to safety reasons. Strange seeing as good’ole Spartacat himself launches hot dog missiles into the crowd at every game.... None the less, we complied, deflated the ball and continued to enjoy the game. This is when SBP staff stepped up their efforts and began random ID checks within our group only. I’d never seen this at a game before and didn’t understand seeing as the average age within the group was 25-35 and that we all provided identification when we purchased our beers. (I'd like to see them try doing random ID checks in the 100 level!) It was becoming painfully obvious that they really didn’t want us there! Not long after, one RSA member threw a handful of popcorn at one of his friends, which proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Before we knew it, our section was surrounded by 8 police officers in full uniform. Our 2 friends were asked to leave and weren’t given any explanation. All of this happened before the half way mark of the 2nd period! And for the rest of the game people around us were continuously asked by ushers if we were bothering them, and the answer continued to be 'NO!.'

Talk about confirming the Ottawa stereotypes (although it's notable people weren't bothered; the staff were just being a little officious).