Sunday, October 22, 2006

If You Are Truly A Hockey Fan...

You Will Support The 2006 Cincinnati Cyclones Of The ECHL.

Period.

One of the more legendary gamblers of the Old West was named Canada Bill. His gambling immortality does not rest on his gambling prowess, nor his formidable wins or losses. He is remembered by a single line he once uttered on the Mississippi, a phrase recited by a myriad of gamblers since. Bill was losing his entire bankroll at Faro when a friend approached and said, "Bill, don't you know this game is crooked?" "Yes," answered Canada Bill, "but it's the only game in town."

Right here, right now, the Cyclones are the only game in town. You may have read my prior blog on Fan Loyalty Part One and Part Two. If you did, you know how much I respect that. But I'm here to say there are perfectly logical and very compelling reasons for all fans of all backgrounds to unite behind this team. Even if the reason seems selfish, there is a reason. Let me explain.

Obviously the easiest group to win over are the fans loyal to the entity we know as the Cincinnati Cyclones. Their reasons for supporting the club are clear. But if you are one of these folks who are prior Cyclones fans who are still on the fence about this incarnation - get off it. Come on out to the game.

Come out and prove to the ownership that all the old fans are still here for the Cyclones. They brought hockey back, reward them. If you want them to reward us with continued hockey, you have to show your support. That's the easy part.

Ducks fans, Robinson loyalists, Gardens supporters, it benefits you to support the Cyclones. Yes, it benefits you.

You want AHL hockey to return to the Cincinnati Gardens. You can show the NHL parent clubs who are potential partners that Cincinnati is a hockey town. If you sit at home on your ass complaining about ECHL hockey, Nederlander, USBA, and all that jibber-jabber then you hurt your own cause.

They don't want a town full of hockey snobs. They want a town of fans who will spend money for professional hockey. I believe it helps the Robinson's chances of securing an AHL franchise if the Cyclones have good attendance. People already going to games are more inclinded to continue to go to games.

Whining, sniveling, malcontents are more likely to keep whining, keep sniveling, and remain malcontent. The best thing to happen for the Robinsons and the Gardens would be sellout crowds at USBA this season. The more fans to try and lure, the better.

Maybe the AHL will return to the Gardens. Maybe not. Maybe the ECHL will stay at USBA, maybe not. Maybe the ECHL will go away to make room for the AHL downtown. One never knows, do one?

The point is that it is not helpful to anyone's cause to sit home on your rumps. If you're a hockey fan, the Cyclones are the only game in town. Get off your ass and your high horse and come see some games.

As Always:
This blog is my sole opinion. It may be based on reason and fact; or it may be purely my emotional preference but it is mine alone. I only claim to be perfect most of the time. You are entitled to disagree, and I invite you to do so - somewhere else.

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