Being a Canadian I enjoy having it every other year but I understand your sentiments,. It all comes down to money, in Canada they can sell out huge venues for even crap games because of they way they package the tickets for which they greatly overcharge. The IIHF just loves the revenues.
I think hockey has changed a ton around here in that time...the Bruins' recent run of success has made hockey more popular in the region, the reach of the game has expanded so much (when I graduated HS in 1995, almost everyone who played was from a hockey family, now tons of kids play regardless of their parents), and girls hockey has increased exponentially. While it wouldn't be as successful as virtually any Canadian city, I think it would be a lot better than last time, especially if it was advertised properly.
