VANCOUVER - The final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs has set what might be a record price tag in hockey history, with two tickets fetching $7,800 apiece.
The front row tickets sold to a buyer in Florida were more expensive even than the $5,000 shelled out for the gold medal men's game at the 2010 Olympics, but die-hard fans were not deterred.
They have been camped outside Rogers Arena for two days because during the regular season, the Canucks usually release tickets on game day.
Some businesses in downtown Vancouver plan to close at noon today, well ahead of the 5 p.m. PST start of the game, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans into the city core to watch the game live on giant TV screens.
Vancouver police say fans have been relatively well-behaved, given the size of the crowds, but the province has ordered downtown liquor stores closed at 4 p.m. in an effort to stem any alcohol-fuelled troubles like the riots that marred the 1994 Stanley Cup final for Vancouver.
The Canucks are looking to defeat the Boston Bruins tonight and bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since the Montreal Canadiens won in 1993.
