Attracting new fans requires a little advanced preparation
Judging by the mixed signals at Wednesday's finale of the NHL China Games at Beijing's Cadillac Arena, you'd never know the clock is ticking on the league's plan to attract a mainstream following in Asia ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
On one hand, the preseason clash between the Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins, coming on the heels of last Saturday's shootout in Shenzhen, gave fans that stayed for the full 60 minutes plenty to cheer about as the Bruins eked out a 3-1 victory.
An announced crowd of 12, 933 spectators at the 17,000-seat venue waved towels, roared at every collision and howled with delight when the team mascots were shown interacting with fans on the giant video screen.
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