This is response to the Sun Journal’s “Five good questions” with Maineiacs owner Mark Just (Nov. 4). He was disappointed in the attendance numbers this season.

He has just cause. The Maineiacs are a good product. They play good hockey and the audience gets to see future NHL stars. Remember Sidney Crosby, just to name one?

Ticket prices are in line with the rest of the league, however, the Lewiston-Auburn area is still a blue-collar area. For a family of four, the cost is hefty – a factor that can’t be ignored. Also, as a former student of arena management, the Androscoggin Bank Colisee is ancient and that doesn’t help.

Perhaps my biggest problem is that based on the starting times of most games, it can be said that the organization is not family-friendly. Most games start at 7 p.m., ending after 9:30 p.m. Families with young children can’t go during the week or, if they do, they will leave very early.

The Maineiacs are still a good product. Their attendance numbers from last season showed an increase from the previous year. Not all QMJHL teams can boast about that. When team owners begin to publicly complain about attendance numbers, watch out.

I enjoy going when I can. I hope the Maineiacs stay here. and I hope the area supports them by going to the games, but it might help by having more games start earlier, and more afternoon/early evening weekend games.

Steve Hart, Auburn