Rhino's Ramblings: 50/50 and a Warrior Game
Image: James Gallo/ Discover Moose Jaw
Robert Thomas
Saturday night’s Moose Jaw Warrior’s home opener had a little bit of everything as the team had an unclaimed $166,000 50/50 jackpot from last season’s playoffs that, for some unknown reason, nobody ever claimed up for grabs.
It also was the return of the Warriors after the greatest regular season ever in the team's history and a bit of a disappointing playoffs when Prince Albert surprised them in the first round and Swift Current ended the banged up Tribe’s playoff hopes in the second.
The night had everything as new banners were hung from the rafters in recognition of last season's successes.
There were pyrotechnics and artificial fog that the players skated through as they were introduced to the fans.
The massive 50/50 prize, though, was the big draw and given the much better odds compared to some of the offerings in lotteries, it was something which dictated a total sellout crowd.
It seemed Mosaic Place was filled with people I have never seen there before or perhaps they just weren’t wearing their Warrior’s gear to the game. For the team, though, it was great to see so many people out.
Unfortunately for me it seemed the Warriors came out a little flat in the First Period and the Brandon Wheat Kings were all too eager to take full advantage of it. According to people I spoke to, Brandon is supposed to have a good season this year and will be a force to reckon with in the East, if not the entire Western Hockey League this year.
The entire game seemed to be overshadowed with the 50/50 as the pre-game, First Period, First Intermission and the Second Period were mainly dominated by incredible ticket sales. I actually timed it and for the longest time the sales were going at an unbelievable $2,000 per minute rate; and for a brief three minute span hit $3,000 in sales a minute.
Lines were long as people wanted to be sure they weren’t left out of the prize that people started to think would never start growing. I saw people buying tickets at $100 per crack – that’s two $50 tickets with 50 chances each of winning.
I actually saw someone go all in when it came to ticket sales and buy $2,000 worth in one shot. It might sound a little brazen for many but with odds perhaps even better than a home lottery and a cash prize of well over six figures ,if you are a gambler and can afford it, it might feel like a sure winner.
The crowd seemed totally entranced by the entire 50/50 draw and until they hit their gambling limit they didn’t seem too much into the game. With betting rapidly slowing down just before the start of the Third Period they finally responded as the Warriors were introduced at the beginning of the frame.
It may have been a 3–0 deficit but the Warriors fought back and then suddenly as the Tribe pressed their comeback a familiar chant of “Let’s Go Warriors” filled Mosaic Place. And the Tribe responded, as they had great opportunity after great opportunity but were stonewalled by Brandon's net minder. With a right couple of bounces the Warriors could have easily tied it up and won it. A great comeback thwarted on a very big night.
During the Second Period intermission, as I sat in the stands and looked around, I noticed something about this game: many people were talking about not seeing each other for years, since the last time they attended a Warriors game.
During period intermissions it’s usually not all that loud in the stands. But this time it was.
What many people may not realize is that aside from it being a home opener and “insane amount” of money involved, in this game the Tribe managed to attract many active fans of the past and even some curious ones into the stands.
I saw a mother teaching her son, who looked like he was three or four years old, to cheer for the Warriors, as he obviously had never been to a hockey game before. There were actually quite a few families like this in the crowd that I noticed. A veritable marketing opportunity to expand your fan base and appeal.
Did the Warriors deliver? Well they lost the game but managed to get people’s attention away from the 50/50 and interested in them.
Despite the loss, I never heard people leaving, as I often have, saying “typical Warriors, they always lose” but rather I heard things like “that was close” and “damn it, next time”. Of course there was talk about not winning the 50/50 and people wondering who won it, but it was not exclusive. The impression the Tribe made, in my opinion, was a good one, especially amongst families.
Remember this is quite likely a once in a lifetime night for the team. It was a great opportunity not wasted on so many levels.
For me it was a success and may well help get people out to future games who may not have necessarily considered it. I personally believe they were successful.
One thing that was never stressed, that for me, is highly important, is that half of the $380,000 plus prize went to the Education Fund to help players who don’t make it or decide not to pursue an NHL dream but an academic dream to a good job or profession and a better life without it.
The Education Fund and the emphasis the team places on the importance of education seems to be understated and might actually help out kids who look to it as an example to stay in school and have the opportunity that a good education can offer you.
Despite the loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings in its home opener, the Warriors actually came out with other wins for the organization and the players. It's not something to dismiss easily.