Proof that Detroit IS Hockeytown

by ahtrap on Jun 1, 2008 2:23 AM EDT

AP story posted on espn's site, I'm quoting it in full because it's pretty short....But basically, this is the highest rated Stanley Cup Finals in the last 6 years....since the Red Wings were last in the SC Finals.

There were concerns, including in my head, about the fact that the Red Wings and the Pistons were pitted head to head....but at least for Game 3, the first game where the series was carried on NBC, the Wings beat the Pistons for ratings.

That brings a smile to my face, for sure...love the 'stones, definitely, but the Red Wings are #1 to me....

AP story after the jump

(AP)

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins' first victory over the Detroit Red Wings on NBC drew the best overnight rating for a third game of the Stanley Cup finals in six years.

Pittsburgh's 3-2 win on Wednesday night earned a 2.8 national rating and an 18.2 rating in Detroit, beating out the 15.9 rating for the Pistons' matchup with the Boston Celtics.

Game 5 of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals drew a 5.3 national rating.

The rating is the percentage watching a program among homes with televisions, and the share is the percentage tuned into the broadcast among those households with TVs on at the time.

The combination of Games 1, 2 and 3 have made this the highest-rated and most-watched opening games of the Stanley Cup finals since Detroit faced Carolina in 2002.

The rating for Wednesday night's game represented an 87-percent increase over last year's Game 3 between Anaheim and Ottawa.

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This really was the NHL’s dream series. You get the best team from each Conference going up against one another. On top of that, Detroit is known for their loyal fans and Pittsburgh sold out 70+ consecutive home games. I know word spread that Detroit was having issues filling the seats at Joe, but I think the place will be packed Monday night.

From a Pittsburgh perspective, not only did the Pens sell out all those games, but they also finished #1 out of all teams in website hits and community service.

Will the NHL be back on NBC/ESPN next year on a more regular basis?

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jun 1, 2008 2:45 AM EDT reply actions

with the abc/espn connection….I dunno, the nhl doesn’t have the football cachet to cross over multiple networks….

But, yeah, I’ll bet the Joe is filled and popping Monday night.

I was at the JLA for the 4th game of the 1998 Stanley Cup final series. Even though the game was being played in Washington, the Joe was very nearly filled, and that was an amazing experience, to be able to share the close out of a series with 19000 of your closest friends….

by ahtrap on Jun 1, 2008 3:43 AM EDT reply actions

went to game one

And I have to say that I had a wonderful experience at the Joe. Tremendous atmosphere, and by in large a very classy crowd. I was proudly wearing my pens jersey, along with many other pens fans, and other than good natured ribbing, folks at the Joe were gracious hosts. Some even thanked us for coming and spending time in Detroit. As a Bostonian who has seen plenty of inhospitable home arenas, it was very refreshing.

by killer93 on Jun 2, 2008 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

Don’t go to Philly then. Or at least if you do, don’t go with a Pens jersey on. They are not a very sympathetic bunch.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jun 2, 2008 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

They’re just angry and dipressed that they have to live in Philly.

by JDMaker1 on Jun 2, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Shhhhh….Falcon will get uber offended. I’ve been there, done that and regret opening up that can of worms.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jun 2, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

the exception

was one a-hole who got in my face while we were leaving and yelled something about driving back to pittsburgh, with a couple of f-bombs inbetween. I simply smiled and said, “ok, but….you gotta live here in Detroit”

by killer93 on Jun 2, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

That’s ok – I had a 10-year-old kid tell me to F-off while at a Philly game. Then his beer drinking, pot-bellied father yelled, “That’s my boy” as they sped off in a pick-up back to their dirt farm.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jun 2, 2008 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

it’s not so bad…I lived a couple of years in the city, and….as all reps are, it was inflated as to how bad Detroit is. It wasn’t the smartest thing to do, sure, but I used to walk the couple miles between my apartment and Tiger Stadium, and I’m still around to tell the tale…

by ahtrap on Jun 2, 2008 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions