Teej asked:
The only live NHL hockey experience I’ve had has been 12 Pittsburgh Penguins games at the Mellon Arena through a span of 1992-2007. I’d like to hear from those who have had the pleasure of attending NHL games in more than one arena, and where they’ve had the best and most fun experience.
To all those that mentioned it, yes, I was aware that I might get homers that may or may not have been to any other arena but their own. I’ll have to re-think some of my future questions.
Like I said, I’ve only been to the Mellon Arena, and that place was louder than I have ever heard it during the playoffs last year. It’s a great hockey town and there’s plenty of history in that building (both good AND bad…David Volek anyone?), but the new arena is going to rock.
The most famous arena in the world. The garden!
The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN is a great venue. There isn’t a bad seat, and the crowd is phenomenal! The energy at the Wild games really makes it a blast.
The xcel, its obvious, if you really disagree and you need me to explain why, email me. It is the Xcel, the reasons go on and on.
Verizon center. It’s the home of my beloved Washington Capitals and you always have your choice of seats
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Sorry to tell u this but u shouldn’t have asked this since every fan will say their own arena, like i can easily say, Continental airlines arena, but inside i dont really meen it, that place was a sh*ithole!
Ill Have to admit this and i **** to saythis but Air Canada Centre is Probably the most exciting arena to watch hockey!!!! i **** the leafs!
But who knows, maybe the devs next prudential centre might top all!
The Pepsi Center! It’s awesome!!!!!
The Pengrowth Saddle Dome
Madison Square Garden its the only place I’ve seen a game other than the Mellon Arena
The best arenas are the ones where the fans are hockey crazy. Basically any of the Canadian Arenas, Buffalo is pretty good, NY Rangers is good too, Philly is hockey crazy, Detroit has a good arena/atmosphere during the reg season but during the playoffs the idiots in charge jack up the prices so ppl cant afford to go.
The Verizon center (DC) is a joke. I live there and I went to 5 games there this season. 2 against my team the Sens (the crowd was really weak), 2 against my second most hated team the devils (the only time the go crazy was when there was a big fight), and one against the penguins. Oh and btw there were more penguins fans at the caps home arena then there were caps fans. It was so sad.
Well, I’ve been to 5 arena’s to watch NHL games; Philly, DC, Tampa, Buffalo, and Detroit. (four in the last year)
I grew up a Red Wings Fan, although I’m partial to Joe Louis Arena, not including the factor of the fans I would say the Lightening’s home ice is a pretty sweet place to watch a game (St. Pete Time’s Forum?). Second would be The Cap’s home ice (Verizon Center?).
Ranked by fan enthusiasm (1 being the best)
1. Buffalo (HSBC Arena)
2. Detroit (Joe Louis)
3. Philly (Wichovia sp?) – I was a little disappointed by the flyers fans.
4. Tampa (St. Pete Times Forum)
5. Washington DC (Verizon Center)
I’ve been to four arenas and only one of them still holds massive memories for me.
That is the old Chicago Stadium, the original madhouse on Madison. The noise that could be produced there during a Blackhawks game was unbelievable. One game the crowd got so loud that you couldn’t hear the whistle on the ice. It was amazing.
The other arenas I’ve been to (in my favorite order):
America West Arena (Phoenix Coyotes)
United Center (Chicago Blackhawks)
Saavis Center (St. Louis Blues – I can’t really say this cuz I might lose my official Blackhawks membership lol)
The Pepsi Center is great. But I must say that I went to a Flyer’s/Rangers game at the Garden season before last. And while it is way behind newer arena with amenities, it was a great atmosphere.
Who the heck answered Air Canada Center??….gosh…90% of the seats are bought by “suits”. When and IF they show up for a game they are usually not in the seats at all but under the stands drinking martini’s!! BORING place to watch a game!!
I’m a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, and while the ACC is good for the lower bowl, it kinda ***** for the back few rows in the upper bowl since the media booths hang over the upper bowl, restricting your view of the scoreboard, that sort of thing.
I should also mention that I went to a game at Maple Leaf Gardens. It was a nice cozy atmosphere, but it was old, and showing every year of its age.
I’ve been to Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, and where I was sitting was fine (about 20 rows back in a corner), but I thought the concourse was kinda small. I’m looking forward to the new arena you have coming.
The best arena I’d have to say is the HSBC Arena in Buffalo. All the sightlines are great (no overhanging media booths like ACC), and the fans are incredible. Every time the “Go Leafs Go” chant got started from the Leafs fans (and there were tons of us), the Buffalo fans would drown us out with boos. The whole house was rocking from the anthems to the final buzzer. I’ve seen anything like it. Naturally the Leafs lost, but it was a great night all around.
I will definitely be returning to Buffalo for a game, and I’m also going to try and go to Scotiabank Place in Ottawa as well.
Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, with Xcel Center in Minnesota a very close second.
my cousin’s backyard pond, when its frozen.
sorry, was getting sick of the blind leading the blind on this question.
here … tell you what. close your eyes, imagine ALL 30 teams. now … imagine the arena that EACH of them play in. ok, now imagine at least 10,000 fans for EACH team and arena who believe that arena is the best!!!!
ok, you’ve got your answer!
see, everyone thinks theirs is the best (w/ few exceptions). so next time you may want to ask which opposing arena is the best (which would exclude favorites and cheerleading … which we seem to get a lot of on this forum. thanks for doing your part).
By far, the best game you can attend is a Montreal – Toronto game at the Bell centre.
It is OFF THE HOOK, half Habs fans, half Leafs fans and I can guarantee you, there is NOTHING that even comes close to the noise level in the Bell centre when those two teams are playing.
I mainly go to games in San Jose. HP Pavillion has a great atmosphere for Hockey. We fans in the Bay Area believe it or not are very knowledgable of hockey and very loyal to the Sharks.
Aside from the Sharks play on the ice, they put on a very good production before and during the game.
The best part is before the game when they turn off the lights and the Sharks players skate out of this huge Sharks mouth and you hear the crowd go crazy.
I have also been to the United Center for the Blackhawks. I love that organ.
Definetly the Garden. I mean the atmosphere of the place is amazing! It gets really loud in there too.
Pepsi Center- the game are exciting and the crowd is enthusiastic
I would have to say…
The Xcel Energy Center for the Minnesota Wild.
There isn’t a bad seat in the whole building… you can see everything…
plus the fans are very passionate about their team, and it gets very loud. And I live in Minnesota and am a Huge wild fan, so I go to quite a few games… but I have been to other arenas too. But xcel energy center is my favorite.
Definetly the funnest that I’ve been to.
GO WILD!
The Rexall centre is definatley the loudest and most exciting
The Bell Center hands down. over 20 thousand fans at each and every game, including practice. Bring in the Leafs and there is no game or arena that comes close.
But then, I’m a Habs fan. Every fan has got to love their arena