In Vancouver, Tiffany Crawford notes as of last night there were "only three tickets left through Ticketmaster" for tomorrow's Game One of the Blackhawks-Canucks Western Conference Quarterfinal at Rogers Arena, a "single seat in one section for $421 and two seats in another section at the same price." It "looks like resale is the best option for fans looking to get tickets for the first game, but it's tough to find anything for under $200," and "most seats were creeping up over $300." The "cheapest seat" available through All Star Tickets for Wednesday's game "was going for $189 in the balcony." Meanwhile, tickets for Friday's Game Two are "sold out," and the price for resale tickets "goes up for Friday night's game, with balcony seats starting at $219" (VANCOUVER SUN, 4/12).
REALLY GOOD START: In Utah, James Edward notes the foundation for MLS Real Salt Lake's "dream start was laid last fall when the team committed itself entirely" to the CONCACAF Champions League, making the "regional club competition the No. 1 priority." Despite temperatures that "dipped into the 30s, 15,405 fans packed Rio Tinto Stadium" for the March 1 Crew-RSL CONCACAF Champions League match, "nearly doubling the expectations" of RSL President Bill Manning, "who originally only expected about 8,000 or 9,000 in attendance." Manning said, "That really sent a message to our players, to me, to our front office. We felt we had something last year, but that reminded us all that we have a connection here." RSL has drawn crowds of 16,888 and a "record crowd" of 20,507 for its two other home matches this year, and Manning said, "I think we've earned our place in the sports community here in Utah" (DESERET NEWS, 4/12).
FLOCKING TOGETHER: In Atlanta, D. Orlando Ledbetter reports several Falcons players yesterday "went to Ignite, an athletic training facility, to start their ad hoc program." Falcons LB and player rep Coy Wire and OT Tyson Clabo are "coordinating the offseason program," and Wire said that "about 30 players were on hand and that he expects near 100 percent participation." The workouts are "conducted by Jim Launer, a NFL and Celebrity trainer" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/12).
CULTURAL ASSIMILATION: In Boston, Kevin Cullen notes a "brief snippet of 'Sweet Caroline' echoed across the hallowed grounds of the stadium known as Anfield" after EPL club Liverpool's win over Manchester City yesterday. The "introduction of a Fenway Park standard seems inevitable," but the "incremental approach seems to be part of the go slowly, go softly strategy that" Fenway Sports Group and Owner John Henry have taken since purchasing the club last year. Cullen notes the "mixing of English football culture and American baseball culture is something that is going to take some time," as there currently is "no Red Sox gear available around Anfield" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/12).