I'll take a shot at this, as a former Mn resident. There are several reasons why the Gophs always draw well, primary among them is the local talent on the team. I watched games with guys I had played against & watch play in High School. So there is a certain pride when the team does well. More subtle is that you always get a good effort from the team, no matter what (I am very concerned to hear reports that that has not been the case this year - is that true?). It is also true, to some extent, that it is "the place to be" for a lot of folks. Since the college game has gotten more "chippy" I feel the type of play has become less important. As for the Stars, they have to overcome several handicaps. I used to go to 10-20 games a year but decided it was not worth the money a couple of years after they made the cup finals several years back. They would play 3 good periods of hockey every 2 games. I was not going to spend $15 to see very good players sleepwalk to yet another tie. The old owners (the Gunds now of San Jose ) made it obvious that they would not do what it takes to make the team better & generally made disparaging comments about the fans. I have heard they are doing the same for the Sharks now. All that, along with the type of play and closeness to the action stuff already mentioned add up to what you see at the gate. me :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: mark e. gibbons [log in to unmask] M.S. INI-18 (v)407.867.4847 [log in to unmask] Kennedy Space Center, (f)407.867.4079 Florida 32899 "Man is the best computer we can put aboard a spacecraft ... and the only one that can be mass produced with unskilled labor." -- Wernher von Braun