Canuck playoff fever has gripped Prince George and is having a positive impact on the bottom line for some local businesses.
Jersey City manager Lance Van Helvoirt said the store can't keep Vancouver Canuck hockey jerseys on the shelf.
"We've at least tripled our sales over last year [for the same time period]," Van Helvoirt said. "It's exciting. For the first five days of June we've already beat our June 2010 sales."
Steamers Pub manager Bonnie Rudolph said the crowds for game nights have gotten bigger, the further the Canucks advanced through the playoffs.
"It's definitely gotten bigger the further they've gone," Rudolph said. "I think it's done great things for our business. It's been a breath of fresh air."
Emerald Taxi president and manager Raj Bhangoo said he's seen a 10 to 20 per cent increase in business every game night. CN Centre, pubs, bars and parties are top destinations and pick-up points, he said.
"Especially when they win people are moving around, going to parties," Bhangoo said. "[But] normally when the game is going on our guys start watching it too, because nothing is moving."
Bhangoo said his drivers have been able to handle the increased demand with the usual number of drivers.
The Canadian Red Cross has also benefitted from the Canuck's playoff run.
Residents have been invited to watch the games on the big screens at CN Centre. Its free to attend, but volunteers are asking those who watch the game to make a donation to the Red Cross. In addition, Red Cross volunteers are selling 50-50 tickets at the games.
CN Centre manager Andy Beesley said attendance at the first two games was between 800 and 1,000 people per game.
"It's really an interesting experiment we're doing. We had no idea what to expect," Beesley said. "For those who have been watching, it's been a really fund atmosphere -an exciting atmosphere. Nobody is pretending a hockey scoreboard video screen is high-definition -but the crowd more than makes up for it."
The CN Centre concessions are open to serve those attending and offset the cost of operating the area, he said.
"Truthfully revenue was not part of our discussion at all," he said. "We just thought it would be fund to open it up and see what happens."
Prince George RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Craig Douglass said despite the celebrations around the city, there has been very little associated crime.
"With increased numbers of celebrations there is always the risk that people might choose to drive after they've been drinking," Douglass said. "[But] we're not expecting problems. Everyone seems to be happy."
