There was a lot of buzz around Metro Vancouver Tuesday ahead of the Canucks’ playoff match against the Nashville Predators.
The Canucks lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 despite using three different goaltenders in the series.
A win for Vancouver would secure a series victory and a trip to the second round of the playoffs.
Vancouver’s bars and restaurants have already seen a financial boost thanks to the team’s success in the opening round.
“What the Vancouver Canucks are doing right now, just gets everybody excited,” said Ian Tostenson, president of the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association.
Tostenson says people want to spend a little bit of money to celebrate the team’s success.
“Restaurants and bars that have big TVs and put on a little bit of fun with some special pricing for the guests are doing quite well,” he said.
Tostenson says some studies show businesses around Rogers Arena see sales surge 200 per cent, with those further from the arena seeing a 100 per cent increase.
“The overall effect for the restaurant economy is incrementally tremendous,” he said.
He says if the Canucks go to seven games, those extra nights mean a lot to the businesses. But he would still rather see the Canucks win Tuesday night and move on.
Tostenson says the increase in business is not overwhelming like it used to be, because of a rise in restaurant options, as well as takeout and delivery growing in popularity.
“Ten years ago we didn’t have it, it wasn’t as sophisticated. The pandemic brought all the sophistication with food delivery and alcohol delivery,” he said.
“When you know where it was 11 years ago, where it might have been crowded, people have opportunities now to sort of spread that out.”
Tostenson says while he’s south of the border right now, he is still able to see the effects of the Vancouver Canucks’ brand.
“I think it’s pervasive watching not just our local newspapers, but just all the newspapers in the excitement. It really has an effect,” he said.
He says restaurants in the U.S. are setting up TVs for Canadians to watch the game.
“It shines the spotlight, people talk about Vancouver Canucks,” he said.
“It’s absolutely an International thing and makes you pretty proud.”
VPD asks fans to “celebrate responsibly”
The Vancouver Police Department says it is increasing the number of police officers for Game 5 Tuesday night.
“We will have extra officers inside the venue… outside the venue, and throughout the downtown core,” Const. Tania Visintin said.
“There will be plenty of us wearing a reflective vest, officers on bicycles and foot.”
She says the VPD will have traffic control and liquor enforcement coordinators out.
Visintin says the goal of the night is to have fun in a family-oriented way.
“Please come by and say hello, and take a photo with us,” she said.
She says during Game 1 there were some issues, and the VPD was concerned about the amount of open alcohol that was going around the arena.
VPD wants fans to drink at home or a restaurant establishment.
“We encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly,” Visintin said.