The '18 IIHF World Junior Championship begins in Buffalo on Dec. 26, but ticket sales from Canadian fans are much lower "with one week to go" than when the city last hosted the event seven years ago, according to a front-page piece by Epstein & Sommer of the BUFFALO NEWS. Canadians bought 60% of the tickets for the '11 tourney, but this year have accounted for 35% of ticket sales. About 10,000 ticket packages "for all the games were sold" seven years ago, and HarborCenter GM Michael Gilbert said there is "about one-third of that number sold" for this year's tournament. Gilbert admitted he is "disappointed with the advance ticket sales." However, he said that he is "encouraged by a spike in sales over the past week." Epstein & Sommer note the drop-off in Canadian ticket sales "could be because the games were held in Southern Ontario two of the last three years." However, Gilbert pointed out ticket prices "were higher at those tournaments than the Buffalo games." The low exchange rate for the Canadian dollar "could also be a factor" this year (BUFFALO NEWS, 12/19). USA TODAY's Kevin Allen notes the U.S. will face Canada on Dec. 29 at New Era Field in the "first outdoor game ever played" during the event. Gilbert said that ticket sales for that game are "tracking toward a crowd of about 45,000." Because end zone seating is "being covered to give the game a more intimate feel, organizers are viewing 47,000 as a sellout" in the stadium that seats 73,079 for Bills games. Gilbert: “We are at about 35,000 right now and to sell another 12,000 is realistic” (USA TODAY, 12/19).
