I probably should have posted this sooner but, here we are in the midst of the 5th round of the playoffs (yes I said 5th!) and the support shown by the "fans" of the Oakville Blades has been far from what I would call outstanding let alone acceptable.

Sure EVERYONE will show up for a do or die Game 7 to show everyone they are "huge fans" of the team, but without the support for the team right now there may not even be a game 5 to go to let alone a game 7.

Heck there were even fans from Wellington in Kingston last night to cheer on the Blades. Well maybe to cheer against Kingston a bit more but we'll take the support anyway we can get it.

There are a few faithful hockey fans of other teams in our division that have been very supportive of the Blades once their respective teams were eliminated from playoffs and trust me your support has not gone unnoticed.

I staring to think that the fans in Oakville are just getting a little to use to winning and are thinking oh well I will just go to the next game.

NEWS FLASH PEOPLE......

If we all don't come out and support the team now then the next home game on Wednesday night may just be the LAST home game and your promise to come out to the next game means nothing!!

Now as far as the road games go, I understand that people have busy lives but lets look at the opportunity and the value that is being provided to everyone by the Oakville Blades organization to enjoy a day of exciting Jr A hockey.

A simple internet search for return bus fare from Toronto to Kingston returns cost of $97.20 add to that a ticket to the game that cost $15 and you have a night out for one person that costs over $100.

So what do the Blades do for you the fan? They offer up a combo ticket that cost $35 for both bus fare and a ticket into the game. People.. who do you think is actually paying for this difference? I can guarantee you it's not the bus company offering a discount to the team.

I have been around long enough to know there are teams in this league who could care less about their fan base but I know first hand that Oakville is not one of them!!

I will now publicly out myself here because honestly I'm getting a little tired of the lack of support shown by the so called "faithful" of the Oakville Blades.

I will be the one, along with CC Blake selling these said tickets to Game 4 Friday night in Kingston in the front lobby on Wednesday night and I would hope I don't have any left before the game even starts!! Bring the kids on a hockey road trip. It is a holiday on Friday so that excuse won't work as well.

Oh ya and one more thing.....

GO BLADES GO!!!!

Very well said 'rbc09'...I like your 'rant'...much better than the guy on CHCH!..It was a very good gathering for game seven against Wellington for sure but even then I'm certain quite a few more standees could have been accomodated. I was talking about the same things to friends of mine who, along with myself, have been attending as many Blade playoffs games as we can and we were wondering just what effect the lack of a 'live' crowd has on the players?..Let's face it the aforementioned contest was more like a home contest for the Dukes although they faced a Blade team playing almost a perfect game and were unable to reward their faithful followers with the win.

As Wings' fans, first and foremost, we are used to slim crowds and you have to wonder how much the fan base would have increased if Hamilton had developed a super playoff run like the Blades? How much is it to do with the arena itself, I wonder, location, sightlines, seating etc. etc.? Is there just too much going on in the area? Is it the lack of fighting, always a draw for some 'fans'? The product on the ice is consistently strong and exciting. The club seems to have dedicated volunteers and most must be well aware of the Blades in their community. The price is right as far as I am concerned.

The bus deal is a steal and with Friday being a Holiday it must surely sell out in a hurry.

I can hear the frustration in your message, especially since there were 685 at the final game of the semifinals, (admittedly including lots from Wellington) and only 473 against the Vees on Saturday night. Hopefully it will be back to the 700 level on Wednesday to see two excellent hockey clubs strut their stuff.

What do you expect? It's Joakville.

Seriously!!!!

Ya because they sure pack them in Burlington pal.

Seriously though why are you still here? It is the 5th round of the playoffs, when the hell was the last Burlington ever saw that??

Funny thing is I have seen fans of every team in the division over last few weeks with the noted exception of Burlington. Is it any wonder that everybody dislikes Burlington with you as a spokeman?

Keep hiding Barney, you much like your team, are nothing if you aren't cowards

RBC 09

If you are selling these tickets on Wednesday night maybe you can
post all the details now. That way anybody who is still wondering what
time the bus is leaving can work out arrangements now. Then maybe there
will be less excuses and more fans participating. Some people need more
than a day to organize other priorities.

Don't forget it's not a holiday for everybody.

You can count me in for Friday.

GO BLADES GO!!!!

That's Kitkat I will post the details of the bus in a new thread.

I'll be there RBC! All of the "west" division fans should come out too!

Well except for the coward from Burlington! Don't let this spineless pr*** bother you RBC, as he is just some bitter little worthless boy because his team has never really known any kind of success, unlike the other teams such as Milton, Georgetown, Bramalea, Brampton, and Streetsville just to name a few. We have all noted how classless the fans in Burlington were and have continued to be since at least the beginning of this yrs playoffs. It has to be them or nobody and with an attitude like that they are going to continue watching very short hockey seasons.

GO BLADES GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELL I'M STILL WAITING!!!!


Typical male I see!!!!(TEE HEE)

There were over 1200 people at Central Arena to watch the OHF Midget AAA Championship game between Oakville and Hamilton. Get the Cougars back to Central and the fans will return.