Is any seat at game better than watching on tv

[SjMilhouse]

Been to probably well over 300+ games as a Sharks fan in my life + now a season ticket holder for Utah. I'd say it depends on what you are looking for. For a casual fan, TV is probably better. If you're really into the sport, I think nothing beats in person because you can see stuff that you just don't see on TV (action behind the play, or plays developing, etc).

With that said, even though the view of the entire ice isn't great there is nothing better than sitting on the glass. Watching on TV you think wow, hockey is fast. Watching in person you're like wow it's even faster than I thought. Watching it on the glass made me realize just how insanely fast the NHL is to the point that I just assume a large chunk of the game is played on pure instinct vs actually thinking because you really have 0 time and space to think. I've been lucky enough to get glass seats to two games in the last year and it was the most fun I've had at a hockey game outside of the Sharks deep run in 2016. Blew my mind

 

[JianYang]

and you can put your feet up and not have to pay $8 for a coke or $16 for a beer.

Though i do recommend paying $200+ at least once to sit ice level to see McDavid fly up and down the ice.

There's a costco right next door to the stadium. I eat there lol.

 

[Faceboner]

going to a game is a great experience and feel like nose bleeds are the best on either side of the benches preferably but at home no lines, no squeezing past people, no 18 dollar beer, and I can smoke when I want.

 

[Patmac40]

My favourite seat in any rink is at the top of the lower bowl in the end of where the team I'm cheering will be shooting two periods, in one of the two corners. I get to see my team up close on offense for two periods, and I don't need to even turn my head to see the play down the other end.

 

[dr robbie]

I've only been to probably 10 or less NHL games total in a variety of spots. Never any playoff games. Box seats were awesome, but that was more about the feeling / being catered to. View wasn't anything over what you get on TV. Glass seats were amazing and we even got our drinks all knocked down by someone (B Bennett I believe), but the view was actually worse as it was hard to tell what was happening down the ice. Upper seats were probably the best view, but hard to stop myself from just watching the jumbo. Overall, I wouldn't say the view was better than TV in any one spot. You get some cool details/side conversations you would normally miss, but you also miss a lot of the other stuff as well. It does feel great to be there and part of the game, but I wouldn't put it much higher if any higher at all.

Now, factor in the cost, travel, time, hassle of tickets, parking, dealing with the inner city, child care, etc. etc., and it really doesn't correlate to a much better experience in my opinion. I'd much rather order a pizza and watch it at home or go to a sports bar with a few buddies.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Probably the same everywhere, but centre ice, right near the edge in the 300s for Canadian Tire Place.

Drop down to the 200s and it might be better

 

[banks]

Tough to compare two totally different experiences. Being at a game live is nothing like watching from home. Pros and cons for each. But if you're just asking for a posters' preference? Then any seat in the arena is better, in my opinion, unless we're also discussing price.

If you didn't have to pay for it, I'd go to any game my schedule can reasonably fit in. Any team, any day. I'd happily watch Ducks vs Sharks (2 teams I have no connection to) game#82 knowing they were both out of the playoff picture if it only cost the same as streaming a game on my TV at home.

 

[Rebels57]

There is no better view of a game than upper level, 1st row, center ice.

But, there is no better overall experience than sitting lower level either behind one of the teams nets (preferably the one your team is shooting on twice) or behind the benches.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Always liked sitting mid-ice in the 300s at Staples. You can see the whole play develop while taking in the atmosphere. I prefer that over watching from home.

 

[Chinaski89]

I like when I can bang on the glass, those seats are best.

I like when I can press my tatas against the glass… I’m a man btw.

 

[10YearsHaveGotBehind]

The best seats in a rink are first row in the corner. Entire sheet of ice is in view, so you have a unique ability to watch plays develop. Lots of action takes place directly in front of you, you get to hear the back and forth between teammates, opponents, officials. It's an unrivaled experience.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

For me no , I rather watch at home , once a year or two is ok for me , I would maybe change my answer if tickets weren't 130$+ a pop for nosebleeds

 

[crowi]

I used to love going to watch a few games of Jokerit until they went to KHL. Atmosphere was just worth that 20 euros to go. That was a long time ago.
Currently, I wouldn't go watch them and I wouldn't pay NHL exuberant prices. It's easier to watch the few games a year and others I get for free.

 

[TKB]

I'm 39 and have been watching since the mid 90s. I'm ashamed to admit that to this day, I still don't know how line changes work, practically speaking. Does the coach yell a line number or the player numbers? Do the players sit in a particular order on the bench? What if a player shortens their shift for on reason or another, who jumps on?

I've obviously never played the game in any organized form lol

Absolutely no shame in admitting that whatsoever.

Basically the lines and d pairings will be posted in the room before the game.

While on the bench after a new shift has started the HC (these days in NHL may be the AC) will call out the next line to go out with something like "Knucker your line up next." For added effect you might also get the head or shoulder tap.

If HC is moving guys around, hell say something like '"Jonesy your up next on Knucker's line for Smith."

Then at a face-off, HC will shout out " change em" or something to that effect.

A good 50% or more of NHL line changes are done on the fly. These days the players will know when to go for a change and/or the coach will yell out "get a change."

When you are the next line up and changing on the fly each position is responsible for tracking and jumping on when his position comes off the ice. Generally the guys coming on jump over the boards, players coming off use the gate. Everyone slides down the bench to make way for guys coming off.

Same thing happens for the D pairs at the end of the bench with another coach running that. D changes are generally separate from the forwards.

Once you get a feel for the lines and matchups, you;; be amazed at how often key events in the game happen when one team gets a mis-match against the other. That is one of the reasons playoff hockey is so fun to watch as you really get to know the other team and can spot these things.

Cheers to another 30 years and more watching hockey!

 

[SEALBound]

I like the bathrooms better at my house. Plus, I can take my laptop in there and still watch the game. People at the arena frown upon that.

 

[knuck]

Absolutely no shame in admitting that whatsoever.

Basically the lines and d pairings will be posted in the room before the game.

While on the bench after a new shift has started the HC (these days in NHL may be the AC) will call out the next line to go out with something like "Knucker your line up next." For added effect you might also get the head or shoulder tap.

If HC is moving guys around, hell say something like '"Jonesy your up next on Knucker's line for Smith."

Then at a face-off, HC will shout out " change em" or something to that effect.

A good 50% or more of NHL line changes are done on the fly. These days the players will know when to go for a change and/or the coach will yell out "get a change."

When you are the next line up and changing on the fly each position is responsible for tracking and jumping on when his position comes off the ice. Generally the guys coming on jump over the boards, players coming off use the gate. Everyone slides down the bench to make way for guys coming off.

Same thing happens for the D pairs at the end of the bench with another coach running that. D changes are generally separate from the forwards.

Once you get a feel for the lines and matchups, you;; be amazed at how often key events in the game happen when one team gets a mis-match against the other. That is one of the reasons playoff hockey is so fun to watch as you really get to know the other team and can spot these things.

Cheers to another 30 years and more watching hockey!

great post, sir!

thanks!
cheer!

 

[tucker3434]

It’s why I like glass seats in person. It’s a stupid place to watch a game from if you want to see all of the action. But the very best way to see all of the action is from the couch. So why not go entirely in the other direction and do something unique?

 

[Golden_Jet]

It’s why I like glass seats in person. It’s a stupid place to watch a game from if you want to see all of the action. But the very best way to see all of the action is from the couch. So why not go entirely in the other direction and do something unique?

the couch shows you 1/4-1/3 of the play, and not all of the players on the ice, a lot of the time.
But agree, the glass seats are nice to try, but not the best.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

It's not about enjoying the game - it's about helping the team.

How are the Avalanche going to know when to shoot if I'm not there to yell it for them?

 

[Lions67]

First row uppers is a true delight. If i can’t sit there then I’ll choose last row. To me, those have always been choices #1-2

I am with you here!
Last row is really the best. You can stand up the whole time and lean against the wall and really get into the game. See the ice perfectly. Love it

 

[Sun God Nika]

Yes and No. sometimes I prefer watching at home sometimes I prefer being at the game. But never want to sit in the corner at the game . Centre ice all day every day

 

[Cup or Bust]

I am super glad there are people that like watching games live but I don't even like going even if the tickets are free.

 

[BrockLobster]

Dime club seating at UBS

 

[eviohh26]

Depends. Atmosphere is always better at the game. But for a out of towner such as myself its not worth the price.

 

[Ignatius]

I like sitting right on the glass no matter what the cost because I get my money's worth when I flip people off and they notice.