Game 7 by the numbers

The Vancouver Canucks faced the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals in 1994. The Canucks forced a seventh game in that series after trailing the heavily favoured Rangers three games to one.

As many Vancouver hockey fans don’t need to be reminded, the Canucks lost to the Rangers 3-2 in the deciding game, and haven’t returned to the Stanley Cup finals since.

Following the loss in 1994, 50,000 people converged on downtown Vancouver and a riot resulted. Over $1 million in damage was reported, 150 people were arrested, and around 200 people were injured.

Canucks fans hope history won’t be repeated as they face the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals Wednesday night.

The game is expected to surpass 1994’s deciding match in more ways than one.

From the most expensive ticket sold, to how many people are expected to watch the game, we take a look at Game 7 by the numbers.

Years since the Cup:

The Vancouver Canucks have never won the Stanley Cup in the team’s 40-year history.

Boston’s drought is nearly as long, as the last time the team won the cup was in the 1971-72 season.

Most expensive ticket sold:

As of Tuesday afternoon, American ticket seller StubHub had 420 tickets for sale randing from $1,600 to $12,000 apiece. Company spokesperson Joellen Ferrer said these are the highest prices for a Stanley Cup ticket in their 10-year history. And for the extremely wealthy, they have two suites available selling for nearly $165,000 US and $206,000 apiece.

On Wednesday afternoon, two front row tickets to Game 7 sold to a buyer in Florida for $7,800 apiece.

To put these numbers into perspective, the average price for Game 7 between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 was $746 US.

Number of people expected in Vancouver stands and streets:

Vancouver Canuck fans are gearing up for what could be the biggest party in the team’s history. More than 100,000 of them are expected to flock to Vancouver’s downtown core for Game 7.

Estimated TV audience:

If you’re the betting type, you may want to wager that Wednesday’s television audience will break records.

Game 6 on Monday was the highest-ever rated NHL game, according to the CBC. The public broadcaster reported an average of 6.6 million viewers, peaked at 8.1 million, and reached a total of 16.2 million viewers.

Time that city of Vancouver closes liquor stores:

Liquor stores in Vancouver are closing early ahead of Game 7. Nineteen downtown liquor stores will close at 4:00 p.m. PT to quell problems with public drunkenness and potential rioting.

Police officers on hand:

The city of Vancouver will bring in outside reinforcements to handle the massive crowds that will descend on the downtown Wednesday night, although they won’t say just how many officers have been called in.

Police and city officials have taken extra precautions to keep incidents on the streets under control, such as early closures of liquor stores. The measures were enacted prior to Game 6, with noted success.

Following Game 5 in Vancouver police officers seized over 3,000 bottles and cans of liquor. However, following Game 6 on Monday, police reported just nine arrests and 313 liquor pour-outs.

Even the city of Boston is staffing extra police officers, deploying hundreds of officers to patrol the streets around TD Garden and Fenway Park.

Total cost for city of Vancouver:

City officials estimate that the combined cost for hosting downtown celebrations and additional policing will be around $1.2 million.

With files from The Canadian Press and Postmedia News