Fast start helps sell tickets
The best start in franchise history has the Ducks selling more tickets than they have in years, but the thousands of empty seats that remain on game night still show there are attendance concerns.
Through 10 home games, the Ducks have averaged 14,624 fans, a number that reflects the NHL policy of announcing tickets distributed. That is a 9.6% increase from last season, when they averaged 13,338 after 10 games.
The Ducks have sold 11,500 season tickets -- the highest since the 1998-99 season. That is up from 9,000 last season and 7,000 before the lockout.
Still, the Ducks have failed to sell out any game since the home opener against the Kings.
General Manager Brian Burke said he isn’t disappointed with the numbers.
“Our season ticket base is up nicely,” Burke said. “We’re one of the positive stories around the NHL. Would I like a more rapid response? Yes. Am I happy with what we’ve gotten? Yes.
“Our attendance is up, our season-ticket base is up. People are responding to the team. Fans have long memories. We’re not going to get them all back with one good playoff run. We’re not going to get them back with one good 13-game run. We have to show them we can do it consistently.”
TONIGHT
at Vancouver, 7, FSN Prime Ticket
Site -- General Motors Place.
Radio -- 830.
Records -- Ducks 11-0-4; Canucks 8-7-1.
Record vs. Canucks (2005-06) -- 3-1-0.
Update -- Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo has a 2.32 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
