When you go to the game.............................?

Question

What are some of the rituals or gameday habits everyone has before the game starts??
Myself-- we always stop by Rippy's, a sports bar adjacent to the arena.. Then as soon as the gates open, its off to the pro-shop, then down to the glass for pre-skate.. Next its on to concessions and then we usually get in our seats with about 10 mins before the faceoff.. Afterwards, we sometimes go to club level for the post game show or simply catch it on radio if the game was a bummer..
Just curious on everyones game attending activities..

Sivdog-- Predators

Trueblue-- UGGG-- that third jersey.. I know which one you guys used to clean up the puke.. That thing is hideous.. Come on down-- we need some butts in seats, (even if it is with a yellow sweater)
..LOL..

Answer 1

In Toronto
1. Go find favourite scalper at York/Front (gently remind him it is illegal to sell NHL tickets above face value - and that I know Gary Bettman and his cronies)

2. After haggling free seat take a walk to a local beer joint like Smokeless Joe (250 world beers, no swill - only a 5 minutes walk fro the ACC - oh and beer at the ACC is probably cheaper than here)

3. At 6:15, walk to ACC.

4. On the way, buy hotdog from Union Station vendor (I haven't been down the last week or so, hopefully my guy isn't the guy who caught on fire)

5. Find my seat.

6. Watch game with usual washroom and concession breaks

7. Argue stats with all the young whippersnappers around me

8. Take a walk home (usually 45 minutes)


In Chitown
1. Call up an old cronie (usually Peter Wirtz or Bob Pulford in the past - I do have Rocky's number)

2. Cook dinner at home

3. Drive to United Centre

4. Visit friends at Stadium

5. Find my seat.

6. Watch game with usual washroom and concession breaks

7. Argue stats with all the young whippersnappers around me

8. Spend more time with friends

9. Drive home, usually at 3am

Answer 2

I used to live in Leafland so it goes without saying that I hardly ever got to see an NHL game live as I could never find $400 in change between the couch cushions.

I used to go down to watch Jr. A hockey in Kitchener with buddies after work, Friday nights. Always a drink first at one of the bars downtown, then the pre-game skate is always fun to watch, then snacks (freshly roasted beer nut pecans are one of life's simple pleasures), then back upstairs - always standing room - before the teams come out.

Seriously, junior hockey is something you have to experience, especially in an area that gets excited about it (hopefully even after Balsillie finally hooks a team and drags it over here). Just seeing all those dreams to be realised, watching kids on the cusp of getting picked in the draft, some who might be in the big league next season - it's cliched, but there's just so much promise about it, and that's where the stars of tomorrow come from.

Plus there are more fights. Way more.

Answer 3

I always grab my jersey.Which no one plays on the team anymore(Lindros,Clarke,Leclair,Linbergh, Howe etc.)Maybe its time to get a new one?Briere?Take the Septa bus $2.00 outrageous then the subway.See all the drunks before the game its funny I usually talk more football than hockey with the locals and tease them about whatever(that's what I do-I'm Very sarcastic)I don't drink alcohol so its easier to make fun of them who are.Spot the talent in the stands and tell them that I'm new to hockey and can you explain it to me.They usually see right through that when I laugh when they get some of the terms screwed up.Stand and cheer loudest during a fight.Then go to the Irish pub and check out the talent there too.I LOVE GAMEDAY.

Answer 4

When I go to a game, I usually stay in a hotel in downtown. I love to have a good time, and with me that means a large consumption of drinkage. So, check into the hotel and drink a few. My boyfriend and I will grab a bite and a drink at a restaurant (I'd rather puke up a chicken breast than a Forum hot dog). We walk to the game. Go grab a cold one. Complain about beer prices on the way to our seats. Meet and greet our seat mates. Steal the Thundersticks lying on the seats behind us, so that my head will not continuously be hit by a 6 year old during the game. I usually end up talking smack and stats with someone's husband. Then my boyfriend and I will complain that the music is freaking crazy loud. Then we laugh that we are getting old. The game starts. 1st intermission, I try to convince some innocent bystander to try to dance with me, so we can get on the Jumbo Tron. I usually get rejected, but by the 2nd intermission, I always can find some old guy that is drunk enough. Drink, Drink, Drink. Pee, Pee, Pee. High-five people during goals. Complain about bad calls. Game is just about to end. Run and grab one more drink. Go back to seat and wait for crowd to clear, and finish last drink. Swagger back to hotel. Grab another drink and talk about the game. I will stop there.

Rich: I loves me some Boston, as well.

Answer 5

Usually park under the bank one building off 4th ave, across from the batman building. Walk on down to 2nd hit coyote ugly for a beer then next door to B.B. Kings, Across to Pirahanas for a smoke, round the corner to broadway hit the stage, tootsies, and finish up at legends. Once inside the loudest arena in the NHL I hit the gift shop for a minute say hi to my friend melissa, and find my way to section 110 right above the bud light stage, in the all inclusive zone. I usually eat so much my stomach hurts, and drink until i spill a beer on my brothers shoes.

Answer 6

We try to get there early enough to stop at either Hockeytown Cafe or Cobo Joes and get to JLA to watch the pre game skate. We always, ALWAYS stay till the end even if they are far ahead or far behind. If the arena starts to empty out we wait for stoppage in play and get as close to the glass as we can. We get the heck out of downtown as fast as we can when the game is over and usually stop at Mickey D's somewhere on the drive home. Tradition dictates choclate shakes and fries!

Answer 7

For me, it used to be a Sports Pub called AJ Gator's in Norfolk, VA. Some guys I served with in the Navy and I were all huge hockey nuts, and would show up for the game wearing jerseys of various enforcers. I remember my good friend Lars always showed up wearing that mustard yellow third jersey that Nashville used for a season or two. It is a pity I can't remember the name on the back for the life of me.We would all shamble (or stumble, on some nights) down Monticello Ave. until we got to the arena We finally got to our seats behind the visitors' penalty box, half blitzed already, and commenced our heckling of everyone who stopped in. (Now that I think of it... I miss doing that. I think I may spend a few dollars this weekend and go to the games) Too bad all the guys I went to the games with are in other places now.

Answer 8

Sabres jersey and socks.

The actual "game day" ritual consists of texting my sister from the moment I wake up, making her promise to get to HSBC early so I don't have to go stand in will call through the entire first period, followed by some arguing with my boyfriend over driving or taking the subway, texting my sister 6 times after we get to the arena, getting tickets from will call 4 minutes before face off, getting a text from my sister saying theyre just leaving the house now, swearing and getting miffed at her, and then yelling at my non-hockey fan boyfriend because he doesn't understand why i'm so pissed, going to the concession stand, getting my pretzal and pop, rolling my eyes when he gets 2 beers at once, sitting in our seats, then having to get up and track down my sister who has finally managed to grace us with her presence, then i spend intermission texting my best friend who i'd rather be there with lol.

Answer 9

I only wear a Panther jersey to opening and closing night. The rest of the time I wear international jerseys. I park in the same spot. I sit in the same seat for warm-ups. My friends and I meet up at the same place in the hall during intermission. On the weekend games we all go out to eat at the same restaurant.

Answer 10

In Boston:

1. Drink