Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik said the franchise is “getting close" to breaking even. Vinik said that the Lightning “sold 3,000 more season ticket packages" since their Stanley Cup Final run, and newly added box seats are “selling well.” Vinik said that Amalie Arena renovations "should be done by opening night Oct. 8, and while there are some minor projects scheduled for next summer, nothing major is on the horizon.” In Tampa, Joe Smith reported while the Lightning “have been pondering building a practice facility, it doesn't seem like it's coming anytime soon.” Meanwhile, Vinik said he was “thankful” for the 8,810 fans who yesterday attended the team’s Fan Fest (TAMPABAY.com, 9/20).
WARM RECEPTION: The GLOBE & MAIL’s James Mirtle noted the “roughly 1,000 fans” in attendance Friday for Maple Leafs practice in Halifax were “hockey mad.” The crowd “roared when goals were scored in the haphazard scrimmages and chanted players’ names when they arrived to speak with the media and sign autographs.” New coach Mike Babcock was “one of the biggest stars.” The Maple Leafs “meant this quick jaunt to Nova Scotia to be a team-building exercise, but what it felt like on Friday was a morale-building one for a group that was booed at home so often last season” (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/19).
ETERNAL OPTIMIST: In Newark, Randy Miller wrote Flyers Chair Ed Snider was “filled with optimism for a club that changed coaches after missing the playoffs last season.” Snider on Saturday said of his expectations for the team, “Quite frankly I'm looking for big things. I think we're going to turn this team around and I think we're going to be a playoff team this year” (NJ.com, 9/19). In Philadelphia, Sam Carchidi wrote Snider “thinks his team -- which most pundits predict will struggle mightily -- will make major strides” (PHILLY.com, 9/19).
ENERGY EFFICIENT: Peoples Natural Gas and the Penguins on Thursday announced a deal that includes gate naming rights at one of the entrances to Consol Energy Center. “Peoples Gate” will now be the name of the entrance at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Washington Place. Signage conversion begins immediately. The multiyear agreement, which makes Peoples a Founding Partner at Consol Energy Center, includes promotional concepts for Penguins fans and Peoples customers. Peoples also has created a “Shots For Warmth” program that will donate $10 to the Dollar Energy Fund for every shot on goal by the Penguins at home games this season (Penguins).
