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It’s hard being in the business end of the game.  When you’re playing, it’s simple win or lose.  Things get more complicated when your primary job is putting butts in seats.

The Portland LumberJax had a great crowd for the opener in Portland on Saturday night.  We had been bashed around a little by the local media for canceling the season and many people were having trouble getting over our 10-game losing streak and last place finish in 2007.  But when the curtain came up on the 2008 season there were over 10,000 screaming fans in the Rose Garden Arena and the energy was as high as I have seen for a Jax game. 

I met our Managing Partner, Angela Batinovich, up in the Jax suite and tried to express to her what it felt like to be at a game, to be so intimately involved with what was happening and yet have no control over what was about to take place.  As a player or a coach you feel connected and you have something to say about the outcome on the field.  As the Executive Vice President you feel connected and all you can do is sit back, watch and hope for the best.

Unfortunately, the best didn’t happen for Portland on Saturday night.  The Jax fought back from a 4-goal deficit in the fourth with goals by Derek Malawsky, Pete Jacobs and Dan Dawson (Dawson, 4g-4a, also assisted on Malwasky’s and Jacobs’ goals).  They finally tied the score at 11 on a spectacular diving shot by Ryan Powell with 8:27 left to play.  The fans were freaking out and things were looking good for the perfect scenario, a come back victory in the home opener. 

It all came crashing down with a few late penalties, the Titans making the most of their power plays (9 of 12 for the game) and an empty net goal that took the last breath of hope from the most loyal of LumberJax fans.  Final score NY 14, Jax 11.

So, now I’m back in the office.  I am getting calls and email from business folks congratulating me on a great first game.

Nice crowd Brian … “Yeah, but we lost.”

Great energy in the arena Brian … “Yeah, but we lost.”

Looks like Portland is back behind the Jax … “Yeah, but we lost.”

Maybe I need to get better at this business thing, where the attendance is more important than the score and the fan’s experience trumps the team’s.  Maybe I need to take pride in the great job our entire staff did in putting together a fantastic product and selling it so well over the past two months.  Maybe I should be happy that 10,000 people showed up to cheer on the Jax and that most of them had a great time regardless of the final score. 

I guess there are lots of positives that can be taken away for game one in Portland.  

Yeah … BUT WE LOST! 

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