Skating on Thin Ice

My friends and I recently attended a New Jersey Devils Hockey game. It made me realize that hockey is not as popular as I thought it was. Before I continue, let me tell you that the Rock is one of the nicest stadiums or arenas I've ever been in. This place makes the Continental Airlines Arena look like a public bathroom. The arena itself isn't even cold, and when I was in the bathroom, if I spilled water, it felt that I had to clean it up. When we were ready for the first face off, I looked around and saw that the stadium was about half full. There were a lot of open spaces between groups of people, especially in the lower level. The question is why. Why are limited people coming to the games? The answer is because the ticket prices are so high especially in nice new arenas like the Rock. Elsewhere, there are also limited crowds like in Tampa Bay. The Lightning have trouble drawing crowds because Tampa isn't as hockey oriented as Canada or northern states. If National Hockey League commisioner, Gary Bettman wants to draw more fans to hockey games, which has been improving recently, he has to lower ticket prices in the lower level.