Empty Seats Spotted At Canada-Europe World Cup Of Hockey Game

Last night's World Cup of Hockey Final Game 1 featuring Canada-Team Europe was officially a sellout, but there were "empty seats throughout" Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Lots of people "paid for tickets but had better things to do." The event did compete with a home game for the Blue Jays, who were "trying to cement a wild-card spot" against the Orioles at Rogers Centre. Canada won 3-1 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series (ESPN.com, 9/28).

The crowd was "subdued, and quiet for stretches, despite having the dominant home team." The fans "finally came alive in the third period." Team Canada D Alex Pietrangelo said, "Once the game got going, the excitement was there. But you play against the Americans, you play against the Russians, and it's obviously different" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/28).