A total of 27,275 attended the Predators-Penguins two
games at the 17,500-seat Saitama Super Arena near Tokyo,
setting a record for NHL season openers in Japan, according
to Dan Moscoe of the JAPAN TIMES. The previous record was
set in '97 and '98 for games held at Tokyo's 10,000-seat
Yoyogi Arena. After the second game, NHL Exec VP & CLO Bill
Daly would not "confirm or deny that NHL games will be back
in Japan next year." Daly: "We're committed to bringing as
many games as possible abroad, including Japan and Europe.
We haven't made any plans for next year yet" (JAPAN TIMES,
10/9). Daly said that the league had a one-year contract to
play in Japan this season, but the NHL "has not committed to
any overseas games in the regular season next year, though
there is a chance the Penguins will spend part of training
camp in Prague" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 10/9). In
Pittsburgh, Dejan Kovacevic wrote that for a city of 17
million people, the "non-sellout" for Saturday's game "had
to be a disappointment for local organizers and the NHL,
although it should be noted that the average price of a
ticket was $100." Those who did show up "appeared to have a
genuine enthusiasm and understanding of the game"
(PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/8). Even though the games did
not sell out, NHL execs "declared the trip a success."
Daly: "We were very pleased with both crowds. The fans were
fantastic. They were really into the games. They played
well to the television audiences. It was a very positive
experience" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/10). Penguins D
Jiri Slegr called the trip to Japan "a great experience.
I'm glad we got to see it" (POST-GAZETTE, 10/10).
PITTSBURGH PROMO: Two ads reading "visitpittsburgh.com"
were placed in the Saitama Super Arena and were visible on
ESPN2's broadcasts. The site is about to be relaunched by
the Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitor's Bureau
(GPCVB), of which Penguins COO Tom Rooney is a board member.
The site organizes trips to the city, and the team will sell
ticket packages through it (Pitt. TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 10/7).
