With no end in sight to the NHL lockout, local hockey fans still have an option to watch professional hockey. The American Hockey Leagues’s Hamilton Bulldogs are seeing more fans in the stands at Copps Coliseum so far this season.

Despite a dismal 6-8-1-1 record on the ice and sitting last in their division, the Hamilton Bulldogs’ attendance is up dramatically over last season.

Last year, in the 2011-12 season, the Bulldogs averaged nearly 5,000 fans per game. This season in their first nine home games, the Dogs averageattendance has been up over 35 per cent, that means on average there are over 7,400 hockey fans per game.

Hamilton Bulldogs’ President Stephen Ostaszewicz says some large crowds, have helped the team’s overall attendance.

“We’ve had several tremendous crowds here including a sell-out of opening night, which was the first time in franchise history since the 2007-08 season.”

As for the increased attendance, Ostaszewicz says it’s hard to deny that the NHL lockout has helped.

“Obviously the [NHL] lockout, and the fact that [the AHL is] the highest level of professional hockey in North America does contribute to [higher attendance],” said Ostaszewicz.

The team’s president also says the Bulldogs have introduced tiered pricing for the first time in franchise history, which he says helps make going to a game more affordable for families.

While attendance is up in Hamilton, the same surge hasn’t been felt across the league, with average AHL attendance down nearly 300 fans a game.