After their players pulled off the feat of surprising the Boston Bruins in the first round, the Florida Panthers organization is already focused on their next challenge and has seized the means to send a message to the many supporters of the enemy who are there are used to moving.
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The Florida team isn’t too keen on their arena becoming a second home for the Toronto Maple Leafs, their second-round rivals. As a result, Canadian residents were unable to purchase tickets that went on sale Monday for the series’ scheduled games at Sunrise’s FLA Live Arena. only people with an address in the United States were privileged to purchase it.
In a notice to customers prominently displayed on Ticketmaster’s website, the Panthers indicate that they rely on the contact details of the credit card holders used for the online transaction. Out-of-town fans who got their hands on tickets will see the sale being canceled without notice, added.
Later in the day, however, club president Matthew Caldwell told FLAHOCKEYNOW that rules will be relaxed on Tuesday as more tickets go on sale.
“We’re not sold out yet, but we can decide what we want and it will be. For the first 24 hours, we want to stay with our Florida supporters. This is a way for our fans to get tickets, he said, noting that prices would go up. We will eventually allow sales to Toronto fans.”
A not particularly friendly audience
Visiting Florida fans are used to invading premises, particularly during the regular season, and the Leafs’ are no exception to the rule. Also, the Panthers played in front of many Bruins fans when they played their home games in the first round.
Before returning to their quarters, the Panthers will play the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Toronto. The start is scheduled for Tuesday 7pm on TVA Sports.