Go Chicago Steel, Go!
I really enjoy a minor league hockey game. Since moving to the area, I had the chance to go to one minor league game. It was a good time. They drew a decent crowd and they game wasn't half bad. Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to a second minor league hockey game, different division, in the same area. I didn't know what to expect.
As we drove through the 'burbs we joked about the game being held on the frozen lake or high school rink. As we pulled up, we weren't that far off. The team plays at the same spot as a local college I'd never heard of. When we walked in I realized that this was exactly what I want for any hockey game experience.
This was a small, comfortable spot. It seemed like a community game. For cheaper than the cost of a trip to the movies, you can have a night out with the family. The parking was free and close by. The seating was General Admission, but there wasn't a bad seat in the house. The crowd was having a great time. They were snacking, catching up, and watching the little ones play while they were waiting for the game to start.
We took our seats at the top row. I started flipping through the program. The average age of the players seemed to be 19. The program included a short bio that further conveyed the community feel by giving you that glimpse into the players' off-ice life.
A local school choir sung the National Anthem, and the crowd sang along.
When the game started the fast music, flashing lights, and roaring sirens got the crowd in the mood to cheer on their home team against the visitors from Michigan. It was all good fun. The kids were laughing and playing. The adults were watching and cheering. No one heckled, no one got too aggravated, people were there to have a good time.
With in the first few minutes they had their first on-ice "fight". They got into their stances, they put up their dukes, the refs just watched. After a bit they were broken up. I've never seen players get so much time to stage a fight. I couldn't help but laugh. Nothing energizes hockey spectators like a fight (no matter how real).
At first the team seemed evenly matched. They weren't pros, but they played a solid game. Then the Steel made their first goal...during a power play by the other team. And the game went on like that. The Steels scored goal after goal. I stepped away for the only Lumberjacks' goal.
It was a classic sporting event with energetic music, an entertaining mascot, and giveaways to keep the fans interested. T-shirts and hot dogs were thrown into the crowd. Some spectators even caught pizza boxes with a shirt and gift certificate to a local pizza joint. For one game, the fans were in a frenzy throwing numbered pucks toward targets placed on the ice.
All in all, it was a great and affordable night out. I met new friends, cheered for the home team, and ate a hockey rink hot dog that wasn't half bad.
As we drove through the 'burbs we joked about the game being held on the frozen lake or high school rink. As we pulled up, we weren't that far off. The team plays at the same spot as a local college I'd never heard of. When we walked in I realized that this was exactly what I want for any hockey game experience.
This was a small, comfortable spot. It seemed like a community game. For cheaper than the cost of a trip to the movies, you can have a night out with the family. The parking was free and close by. The seating was General Admission, but there wasn't a bad seat in the house. The crowd was having a great time. They were snacking, catching up, and watching the little ones play while they were waiting for the game to start.
We took our seats at the top row. I started flipping through the program. The average age of the players seemed to be 19. The program included a short bio that further conveyed the community feel by giving you that glimpse into the players' off-ice life.
A local school choir sung the National Anthem, and the crowd sang along.
When the game started the fast music, flashing lights, and roaring sirens got the crowd in the mood to cheer on their home team against the visitors from Michigan. It was all good fun. The kids were laughing and playing. The adults were watching and cheering. No one heckled, no one got too aggravated, people were there to have a good time.
With in the first few minutes they had their first on-ice "fight". They got into their stances, they put up their dukes, the refs just watched. After a bit they were broken up. I've never seen players get so much time to stage a fight. I couldn't help but laugh. Nothing energizes hockey spectators like a fight (no matter how real).
At first the team seemed evenly matched. They weren't pros, but they played a solid game. Then the Steel made their first goal...during a power play by the other team. And the game went on like that. The Steels scored goal after goal. I stepped away for the only Lumberjacks' goal.
It was a classic sporting event with energetic music, an entertaining mascot, and giveaways to keep the fans interested. T-shirts and hot dogs were thrown into the crowd. Some spectators even caught pizza boxes with a shirt and gift certificate to a local pizza joint. For one game, the fans were in a frenzy throwing numbered pucks toward targets placed on the ice.
All in all, it was a great and affordable night out. I met new friends, cheered for the home team, and ate a hockey rink hot dog that wasn't half bad.
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