Free food scores big with Blues fans

~A near-sellout crowd attended Saturday's game in St. Louis.

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues filled the Scottrade Center on Saturday by filling the spectators.

The Blues gave free food to the 17,868 fans in attendance during their 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Spectators chose a main dish of a hot dog or chicken fingers, a snack such as popcorn, peanuts or potato chips, and a soft drink. Each time they went for food, they could get four main dishes, four snacks and four soft drinks.

There were no other limitations for the offer that lasted until the start of the third period.

"We don't go to the movies, we don't go anywhere," said Diane Kodelja, who was with her husband and four of their five children. "We can't afford it. This is so great. This is a big fat deal."

The Blues rarely draw anywhere close to the 19,022 capacity at Scottrade Center. The attendance has picked up since Andy Murray became coach and the Blues started playing better in early December.

Owner Dave Checketts decided about the same time he fired Mike Kitchen and hired Murray that the Blues needed new ways to raise attendance. A week ago, the players and coaches went to eight area ice rinks to sign autographs and visit with fans. The food giveaway was an extension of that plan.

"It's not a gimmick," said team president John Davidson. "It's giving something to the fans to come. It's a way to get people who can't afford it to come. And it's a way for other people to enjoy the product."

Checketts did not make the game Saturday because of inclement weather. An ice storm, which knocked out power throughout the metro area, forced him to stay home in New York.

Fans showed their appreciation, though. The crowd gave a loud cheer midway through the first period when a child was shown on the scoreboard holding a sign that read: "Thanks for lunch, Dave."

To prepare for the event, about 40,000 hot dogs, 30,000 chicken fingers and 20,000 boxes of popcorn were prepared. Each figure is approximately five times more than a typical game.

"We never would have came without the free food," Kodelja said.