NHL GAMES - I’ve been very fortunate to have watched three NHL games in the last six weeks in three different NHL arenas. In mid-January I was in Toronto to watch the Leafs blow a 3-0 lead against Colorado in losing 5-3. It may have been the second best game I’ve had the pleasure of being at. The best was Patrik Laine’s rookie season when he scored the overtime winner against the Leafs in Winnipeg. The second game I attended was the Jets beating Pittsburgh 2-1 in mid-February and then this week I watched Calgary defeat Los Angeles 4-2 at the Saddledome. In comparing the three facilities, I have to say my favorite place to watch was Calgary even though they are playing in what is considered an outdated arena. The concourse area is much wider than both Toronto and Winnipeg. The selection of restaurants is great in Calgary and your personal space in the seat while watching the game is also bigger and more comfortable. I sat in section 202, which is a corner in the second deck, 9 rows up, and the view was fantastic. Toronto, obviously, is a wonderful place to watch as well and I would give them top marks on the atmosphere. Although I despise the Leafs, the fans are into it big time and are on the edge of their seats with each pass, hit, shot, save, and goal. Winnipeg, to me, is a lot like Toronto only smaller. It’s modern and also a great place to watch a game and the atmosphere is similar for sure. All in all, I would say my belief in the NHL being a sport where you have to physically go and watch as opposed to being in your living room and viewing on tv to really enjoy it is reaffirmed. The television experience really doesn’t compare, at all, to the in-venue one.
10 SPORTS THOUGHTS
10 SPORTS THOUGHTS
10 SPORTS THOUGHTS
NHL GAMES - I’ve been very fortunate to have watched three NHL games in the last six weeks in three different NHL arenas. In mid-January I was in Toronto to watch the Leafs blow a 3-0 lead against Colorado in losing 5-3. It may have been the second best game I’ve had the pleasure of being at. The best was Patrik Laine’s rookie season when he scored the overtime winner against the Leafs in Winnipeg. The second game I attended was the Jets beating Pittsburgh 2-1 in mid-February and then this week I watched Calgary defeat Los Angeles 4-2 at the Saddledome. In comparing the three facilities, I have to say my favorite place to watch was Calgary even though they are playing in what is considered an outdated arena. The concourse area is much wider than both Toronto and Winnipeg. The selection of restaurants is great in Calgary and your personal space in the seat while watching the game is also bigger and more comfortable. I sat in section 202, which is a corner in the second deck, 9 rows up, and the view was fantastic. Toronto, obviously, is a wonderful place to watch as well and I would give them top marks on the atmosphere. Although I despise the Leafs, the fans are into it big time and are on the edge of their seats with each pass, hit, shot, save, and goal. Winnipeg, to me, is a lot like Toronto only smaller. It’s modern and also a great place to watch a game and the atmosphere is similar for sure. All in all, I would say my belief in the NHL being a sport where you have to physically go and watch as opposed to being in your living room and viewing on tv to really enjoy it is reaffirmed. The television experience really doesn’t compare, at all, to the in-venue one.