While the inaugural season of the Thunder drew satisfactory attendance, it dropped dramatically during the following season and nearly being unable to participate in the playoffs at the conclusion of the 2001-02 season and having to give up their playoff spot to the second-last team (Brockville).
The initial campaign of the Thunder received satisfactory viewership, but the subsequent season's numbers plummeted, putting them at risk of being eliminated from playoff contention by the conclusion of the 2001-02 season. This led to them ceding their playoff position to Brockville.