My knowledge of hockey is pretty basic: sticks, ice and fights. But I’ll support just about anything that helps our city grow as a community, from the Philharmonic to a sports franchise. So when the unlikely hockey campaign began, I rounded up some friends, and we plunked down a deposit on season tickets. Now that a team is coming, I guess it’s time to see what I got myself into. The season ticket holder tour and a food sampling at the T-Mobile Arena behind me, here’s what I’m thinking about the 2017-2018 hockey season.
• Get to know Frank Sinatra Drive. After recent concerts, police have been routing traffic in just one direction. So familiarize yourself with a few routes, entering and exiting your new favorite road from both north and south.
• Damn, that escalator to the top level is long—and steep. This probably won’t mean anything if you’re in prime condition. But after a few drinks, or if you’re suffering from a hangover, that’s gonna be a bitch.
• Owner Bill Foley’s team (possibly to be dubbed the Desert Knights) needs to stop the upselling. Trying to get me to commit to three or five years to get first pick of tickets in the section I signed up for a year ago isn’t a good way to show gratitude to someone who signed up early.
• Actually, who cares how far back my seats are? The view from just about every section I visited was great. I’d rather sit higher and closer to an aisle for better access during beer and restroom breaks. Hell, can I trade in my mid-level seats for nosebleeds and save some cash?
• Speaking of nosebleeds, make sure to make friends with someone at Hyde. Because its VIP lounge at the top of the arena is pretty awesome.
• Come hungry. The arena had as many good food options as in some casinos. And the chow is definitely better than what’s being sold in The Park. My seats are closest to Shake Shack, so I should get to know that menu.
• Splitting season tickets with friends who hail from different cities was a good idea. It should avoid a lot of arguing over who goes to what game.
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