dogbert Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 I'm not a big sports fan, with the big exception being football (real & American). A friend of mine who works for Budweiser has offered my wife & I a couple of free tickets to go see the local minor league ice hockey team - Texas Tornado. This will be my first ever ice hockey game. They're in some kind of playoff, so it should be exciting... What should I know before I go? What should I wear? How cold does it get in the stadium? Dumb questions, I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Monkey Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 I used to go to Hershey Bears games (used to be a Flyers farm team, I don't think they are now). It wasn't terribly cold, but I think a sweater or fleece jacket was welcome. I knew nothing about hockey before going in and still don't. It was fun regardless. It was a smaller venue, so compact binoculars wouldn't have added much. Maybe the Tornados' arena is bigger? -j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted April 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 I think it's like under 4000 seats, so it's not big at all. My wife's a little uninterested, but I think it might be fun Just talked to her again, she's cool with it. Looking forward to it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 How cold does it get in the stadium? Take a good medium sized jacket Brian. I went to Hershey Bears game a few years ago and it got pretty chilly. Its like going ice skating, if you can see your breath you're gonna want to bundle up some but not too much. I knew nothing about hockey before going in and still don't. It was fun regardless. Same here. I am not a fan of sports in general and don't have even a remote affinity for hockey but I had a suprisingly good time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Daisy Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Well, if you live in Texas... you're probably not going to be used to as cold as it can be in an arena. I just played the other day, and man... was it hot in that rink. It was a killer. Enjoy the game. Hockey is in my estimation, the best game to see in person. The speed of the game will probably shock you. Television just can't represent it well enough. Glen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whooter Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Hockey rules my world. You definitely have to see it in-person a few times before it becomes "followable" on TV, though. You're lucky that you're going to a Junior A game, and not one of the low-low-low professional games, that really are just two teams filled with has-beens and never-will-bes spending more time punching each other than skating. Junior A hockey is 16-20 year-old amateur players that are basically trying to improve their skills and hopefully earn college scholarships and/or get drafted by the NHL. The players play hard, if not always graceful, hockey. You should have a great time! I'm jealous, as the only shot I have at seeing live hockey around here anytime soon is if St. Louis gets off their ass and starts playing like they care against the Sharks tonight... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrillho Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Flyers fan here and faithful attendee!!! I've been to numerous hockey games, and to tell you the truth I've always dressed as to how the weather was outside, If you feel like you be chilly in there, a sweatshirt should be plenty sufficient. You'll have a great time, if you've never seen a hockey game in person be prepared to be amazed at how fast the sport actually is. Its quite a rush. Also, I found girls get hooked on Hockey alot quicker than guys when both parties a first introduced to it. Your wife may wind up having a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted April 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Another dumb question - if the game starts at 7:11pm, what time are we likely to be out of the arena, barring overtime? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camp Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 20 minutes per period x 3 = 60 minutes 20 minutes between period = 40 minutes ~ 8 minutes time out/penalty assessment per period = 24 minutes (estimating on the high side) I'd guess about 9:15 PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff W Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Ordinarily you figure 3 hours for a typical game. Of course thats a typical NHL game, I haven't been to a minor league game since the Detroit Ambassadors relocated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlot Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Hockey games are great fun to attend! You get to see things happen that the TV camera doesn't catch. For example, the you see late hits or slashing that happens behind the play, or the player altercations that happen during the commercial break. Thrillho and I will be attending Game 5 of the Flyers/Devils game Sat. I can not wait!! :green: GO FLYERS!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whooter Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Originally posted by dogbert@Apr 15 2004, 11:23 AM Another dumb question - if the game starts at 7:11pm, what time are we likely to be out of the arena, barring overtime? Junior A games typically run between 2 and-a-half to 3 hours, depending on how many penalties, etc. crop up. Also, since you're attending a playoff game, if the game were to go to overtime, they play 20-minute overtime periods, with regular intermissions, until someone scores. The longest game I ever attended in person was a 6-hour, 4 overtime affair at the Junior A National Championships. My team lost , then had to play a noon game the next day that also went to overtime. Fortunately, we won that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris F Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Mike, my folks are BIG Devils fans. They went to Monday night's game if I'm not mistaken. I'm a Leafs fan myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Minor League and Major league(NHL) hockey are 2 different experiences IMHO. Going to see the Blues play was an experience I won't forget as opposed to going to see a minor league hockey game like we have in Tulsa. If you like it somewhat, I'd pony up the money to see one in Dallas(I assume you live in Dallas IIRC) and really see a live game. I'd even make sure you catch the game against the Avalanche. That's a very bloody series(no pun intended). 3 hrs is the most comman time for a game. I'd figure to leave around 9:45-10:00 not including parking.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlot Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Originally posted by Ruffneck@Apr 15 2004, 01:04 PM Mike, my folks are BIG Devils fans. They went to Monday night's game if I'm not mistaken. I'm a Leafs fan myself. Tell your folks to hang their jersey's up, the Devils are done after Sat. :twisted: Of course, in their case I should this: :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reeldeal Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 i can't believe no one has given you this advice: as soon as the rest of the stadium starts making noise start cheering, and as soon as the rest of the stadium starts booing the refs boo the refs! dress in layers, if you're just sitting and not to into the game it'll get cold. but if it's an intense game and you find yourself getting caught up in the game you'll start sweating in your seat. Have fun and keep an eye on the puck at all the times (that's the real advice i guess) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnemaEms Posted April 16, 2004 Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 Also Brian, here is the most important piece of Hockey etiquette.... Don't leave your seat to go the bathroom or concession stand until a whistle has blown. I have seen people get pretty upset because people kept getting up during play and obstructing other people's views. -Dean- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baiter Posted April 16, 2004 Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 Originally posted by merlot@Apr 15 2004, 12:31 PMThrillho and I will be attending Game 5 of the Flyers/Devils game Sat. I can not wait!! :green: Too bad u'll be in the cheap seats while I'm getting my beer served to me. Definitely don't get up until the play has stopped! Nothing worse then some asshat standing up in front of you when you're trying to watch the game. It's along the lines of talking on your cell phone while at the movies. :evil: Enjoy the game. :tu: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlot Posted April 16, 2004 Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 Originally posted by Baiter+Apr 16 2004, 08:01 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Baiter @ Apr 16 2004, 08:01 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-merlot@Apr 15 2004, 12:31 PMThrillho and I will be attending Game 5 of the Flyers/Devils game Sat. I can not wait!! :green: Too bad u'll be in the cheap seats while I'm getting my beer served to me. [/b] Funny, but I have 2 free Victors Club passes. So while you are getting your beer so-called "served" too you, I'll be getting a giant steak with all the trimmings and a beer served to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrillho Posted April 16, 2004 Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 Originally posted by Baiter+Apr 16 2004, 08:01 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Baiter @ Apr 16 2004, 08:01 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-merlot@Apr 15 2004, 12:31 PMThrillho and I will be attending Game 5 of the Flyers/Devils game Sat. I can not wait!! :green: Too bad u'll be in the cheap seats while I'm getting my beer served to me. ... [/b] ...and getting a reach a round from ballmeat!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted April 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 Don't leave your seat to go the bathroom or concession stand until a whistle has blown. I have seen people get pretty upset because people kept getting up during play and obstructing other people's views. Ta for that, Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyN Posted April 16, 2004 Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 Hockey game rules (some which can save your life :-) ) 1)Wait for the Whistle 2)Cheer for the other team, your chancing death 3)Dont wear a hat you value, if there is a hat trick, its a goner 4)Watch out for flying pucks capt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Daisy Posted April 16, 2004 Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 My other suggestion would be to buy a program at your first game. They usually have descriptions of the penalties and calls that the refs might make. Things that will be difficult to understand for a hockey newbie. Icing Offsides There are others, but these are the trickiest ones to grasp right away. Glen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlot Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 Originally posted by merlot@Apr 15 2004, 02:50 PM Tell your folks to hang their jersey's up, the Devils are done after Sat. :twisted: :green: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted April 18, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 Heh, played enough videogame hockey to grasp the penalties Was fun - team won 7-1 to win the Southern Championship, completely dominated the game. I'd say the arena was about half full, nice & clean etc, good crowd of fans with LOTS of kids. Frisco is pumping a lot of money into the Tornados & the baseball team too, and it shows. All in all, a good fun time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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