What about ice dudes? I demand equality!

First, I wanted to address some of the comments from yesterday's post. For those who reminded me that the Caps did this against the Penguins, you bring up a good point. However, the difference is in the makeup of the crowd: even with the ticket "prohibition," the crowd was still 50% Pens fans because so many of them live in D.C. (Who can blame them? I sure wouldn't want to live in Pittsburgh.) So while I don't have a huge problem with the ticket ban, it didn't make a whole lot of a difference in that case. When you're talking about a playoff game that's happening all the way across the country, I really don't think the crowd is going to be 50%+ Patriots fans. Sure, they may travel well, but that's pretty darn well.

Japers had a great post today (as usual) responding to Ted's query about ice girls and cheerleaders. You had to know this was coming sooner or later, especially given the attendance issues. J.P. brings up a good point about it: we mock the other (lesser) teams who have them, but look at the caliber of those teams who don't have them. Personally, I think he's right. The Caps would be wise to start looking at alternative markets- women, couples, families, etc.- and marketing to those groups. Ice girls aren't exactly going to bring them in (except maybe for the dear ol' horny dads). They'll appeal to the guys who are already going to the games. Instead of doing something that other teams have been doing for years, I'd like to see the Caps come up with something new. Phoenix has a "guys' night out" deal that includes tickets, food, and beer. How about a date night special? (I'd love a special that includes tickets, food, and beer.) That would get me to the arena more than some booty-shakin' ice girls. That's the other side of the coin: don't risk alienating the fans you already have. Not that I'm going to forgo a game because the ice girls are there, but what about the casual female fan? Or mother? Just something to consider. And I agree with J.P., who says that if the Caps are going to have ice girls, at least choose attractive ones. If we have to have them, make us proud.

Instead of gimmicks like ice girls or cheerleaders, I'd prefer an awesome team (even more awesome than what we already have). I'm not going to postulate on how the Caps need better defensemen (since we haven't heard THAT before), but generally, a great product on the ice (ice girls don't count) translates into more butts in the seats. Everyone loves a winning team, especially if other D.C. teams (cough*Redskins*cough) continue to suck.

I thought this comment from Tarik's discussion today was funny, since I also noticed that earlier this year:

Caps in Canada: I am wondering how many people around North America have been tuning into Caps games. Did you notice the recent addition of the Pizza Pizza logo on the boards? The closest Pizza Pizza location is Niagra Falls, Ontario. That has to tell you something about Canadians watching the Caps on Center Ice.

Tarik El-Bashir: Man, you have good eyes. I've noticed that, too. I'm told that the Caps have "excess inventory" (a.k.a. empty spaces on the boards). So they sell those Pizza Pizza ads for Canadian telecasts.

Now can I ask you a question? I've been driving by those joints in Canada for years. Never stopped. Am I missing something?

Don't know about Pizza Pizza, though we sure wanted to stop at the one next to our hotel later after the Leafs game. It sure was crowded in there late at night!