The Senators have "begun a 10-game experiment with Red Scarf Union, a fan group modeled after those popular in English soccer" that is "believed to be the first team-supported attempt to foster the atmosphere of an avid soccer crowd in the NHL," according to Jeff Klein of the N.Y. TIMES. The group is allotted 295 seats in Section 319 at Canadian Tire Centre for designated games, and the tickets "are being sold through Red Scarf Union’s Facebook and Twitter pages or a special Senators email address, at discounts" of 50% or more. The group members stand in the upper deck, wear red and black and can be heard "beating on drums and raising a din all night." Senators Dir of Season-Seat Membership & Group Ticket Sales Chris Atack said, "For those games, fans in that section can bring in drums and flags, they can stand up the whole time and they can make as much noise as they want. They still have to respect the code of conduct -- no profanity, no drunkenness, no abusive language, no throwing things -- but otherwise, be loud and have fun." Klein noted the Senators have had "problems selling out regular-season games." Atack said that the inspiration for the experiment "stemmed from three sources: the lively carrying-on at NCAA hockey games; the recent transformation of Major League Soccer stadiums across North America by European-style fan groups into roiling caldrons of fun; and a night" during the '13 playoffs when the Senators beat the Canadiens and the Senators fans "spontaneously appropriated 'Olé Olé Olé,' the favorite tune of Canadiens fans." He added that the Predators, Coyotes and other NHL teams "had expressed interest in the initiative." Atack "will give a presentation on the effort" to NHL execs during HOF festivities this weekend in Toronto (
N.Y. TIMES, 11/9).
