The Western Hockey League is pleased to announce that the 2012 WHL Playoffs reached new heights this season with record attendance numbers and the most LIVE television exposure in the leagues' 46 year history.
The 2012 WHL Playoffs culminated with an epic Championship Series that saw two power-houses battle it out over seven games before a Champion was crowned. The Edmonton Oil Kings and Portland Winterhawks pushed each-other back and forth throughout the series in true heavy-weight fashion, with the Oil Kings coming out on top in Game Seven 4-1, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 12,514 at Rexall Place in Edmonton.
Overall the 2012 WHL Playoffs attracted 436,411 fans to 74 games with an average of 5,897 per game. The attendance total is an increase of close to 15% compared to the 2011 WHL Playoffs which drew 385,927 fans to 75 games, averaging 5,146 per game. The successful 2012 WHL Playoffs were highlighted when during the WHL Championship Series a WHL All-Time Record for Attendance in a Playoff Series was set. Over the course of the seven game series a record 74,618 fans attended the 2012 WHL Championship Series, averaging 10,660 per game.
2012 WHL Championship Series
Game #1 – Portland @ Edmonton; Thursday, May 3 - 7,466
Game #2 – Portland @ Edmonton; Friday, May 4 - 10,720
Game #3 – Edmonton @ Portland; Sunday, May 6 - 10,947
Game #4 – Edmonton @ Portland; Tuesday, May 8 - 10,947
Game #5 – Portland @ Edmonton; Thursday, May 10 - 11,077
Game #6 – Edmonton @ Portland; Saturday, May 12 - 10,947
Game #7 – Portland @ Edmonton; Sunday, May 13 - 12,514
Total - 74,618
Average per game - 10,660
The extensive media coverage in both Edmonton and Portland, combined with the largest television audience in WHL Playoff history and record setting attendance, provided the Western Hockey League with the most extensive exposure it has ever experienced during a WHL Championship Series. The WHL's broadcast partner Shaw produced all seven games of the Championship Series LIVE in high-definition and the WHL's U.S. broadcast partner Root Sports carried the series in many regions of the United States reaching the highest audience levels ever recorded for a WHL Championship Series in Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
"We are very fortunate to have such a loyal and enthusiastic fan base during the WHL Playoffs," commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "Our record setting attendance for the WHL Championship Series was definitely a major highlight and that is thanks to the tremendous support we received in both the Edmonton and Portland markets."
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