Music: {allcanada} Final Canucks tickets sell out instantly

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

{allcanada} Final Canucks tickets sell out instantly

Hockey fans had one last chance to pick up some cheap seats to the Stanley Cup final round in Vancouver when the last batch of single seats went on sale at 10 a.m. PT on Tuesday, and they acted fast.

The extra seats sold out instantly on Tuesday morning, leaving scalpers as the main source of seats for disappointed fans.

The Vancouver Canucks will face off against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday at 5 p.m., with the cheapest seats at Rogers Arena officially at $197.

Resellers are already asking more than $500 on Craigslist for similar seats, and up to $4,500 for the best seats on some ticket reselling sites.

If the series reaches Game 7 in Vancouver, online ticket dealers have already sold some reservations for prime seats for $7,000. Those reservations will be refunded if the series ends before the seventh game, they say.

The Canucks are also offering their own ticket resale service, allowing season ticket holders to sell their tickets on the team's website.

Free screens for city centres

For those who can't afford seats indoors, the number of free outdoor view options continues to expand.

In downtown Vancouver, the city has announced both the 700 block of Granville Street and the 700 block of Hamilton Street outside the CBC building will be blocked off to allow pedestrians to watch the games on giant outdoor screens.

"The excitement and anticipation for the first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs is building in our city, and we want to make the most of it," Mayor Gregor Robertson said.

Both blocks will be fenced to control the capacity and maintain a safe number of people in the viewing area, city officials warn. Fans are invited to bring their own chair and find a good spot, but to leave the liquor at home, said Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu.

"We want the focus to be on the game. Leave the liquor at home and allow our officers to focus on keeping everyone safe," said Chu.

Surrey and Chilliwack host fans

The City of Surrey is also hosting a public broadcast of the games at the Central City Plaza near the Surrey Central SkyTrain Station.

"Surrey loves great community events and we love our Canucks!" said Mayor Dianne Watts.

"We want to provide a safe, fun, local venue for families to enjoy the games and watch our boys bring home the Stanley Cup. Go Canucks Go!"

Chilliwack also plans to erect a giant screen for fans in the parking lot behind Exhibition Field at 45323 Hodgins Ave. for every game of the Stanley Cup finals.

Fans are again advised to bring their own lawn chair and leave the liquor at home for the family friendly event.

During road games, the Canucks have announced plans to open Rogers Arena, but details have yet to be announced. The Abbotsford Sports and Entertainment centre will also be selling seats during road games.