What one factor helps you decide to attend a particular live game during the regular season?

Question

For us non season ticket holders, and even season ticket holders that don't attend all the games, what is the main reason you decide to go to a particular game during the season? Is it a particular favorite player on another team? Maybe its a bitter rivalry between your team and another? Maybe its a team you haven't seen in a while because of the previous scheduling style of the league? What's your MAIN criteria for choosing that one must see game?

Answer 1

I like going to division rivals(Rags or Pens) or teams we don't play often at home(Wings or Black Hawks).If theres a superstar thats always another good reason to go(Ovie).

Answer 2

The opponent. Living in New York, there are 3 teams in the area that people tend to support more often than others. Half of my friends that like hockey (2, haha) are Rangers fans. The other half (2 again, haha) are devils fans. Whenever the Rangers play the Devils (preferably at Prudential, new addition is niceee, and I believe cheaper.) We all get tickets and have my Dad take us. Of course, we love going to Rangers-Islanders games as well...

Also, if the Rangers are in the playoffs, my Dad will take me to a game for my birthday.

Answer 3

Mostly when the game is date wise. Even at home we're not real close to an arena, I have to drive an hour and a half from Greensboro to the RBC Center. Also student discount days help a lot.

This year, it'll be when I can find the time to catch the Hurricanes in either Ottawa or Montreal being at school in Upstate NY about 2 hours from either city.

Answer 4

i can't really answer this, the way it's worded. but i wanted to star it anyway, because i thought it was a good question.

because the question i have to ask myself (w/ an inevitable answer) is ...

could this $$ be better spent on my kids college fund, or a babysitter, so I can get give my wife a break?, etc. (money is a little tight. this wasn't intended to be a sob story. but reality. heck, that bigger / better TV just took a 3+ year hit in delay, along w/ the new couch (ours is over 30 years old), and the 20+ yr old A/C unit on its last leg.)

btw, i sent you an email about 2 wks ago. just fyi. good luck w/ McLellan. should be a fun ride.

add - no problem. shoot, you still have to break my record for the longest delay. i made you wait longer. no rush. i just didn't want you to think that i had forgotten.

Answer 5

What section did you say you sat in Hales? You too Erica!

I dont live in an NHL city so I go to the USHLs Indiana Ice games... I go when there isnt good matchup to watch on Center Ice that I want to see.

Answer 6

There really isnt a Devils game I will not go to if I have the oppurtunity.  Sure I might not be able to if its like a random Wed night and I have class or work, but if I have the oppurtunity then I definitely will be at as many as I can.  

Now if I can choose only 10 out of 41 then I would say I would look more for the rivalry games between the division opponets.  However, for a few games I would love to see some teams I dont get to see regularly like LA or Vancouver.  I dont think I have ever seen most of the Western teams live because of the way the schedule has been structured in recent years.  I would like a combination of in your face rivalry games and the more low key "who's that" games....

Answer 7

Probably the rivalry/division competitiveness.  That's why I like going to Rangers and Flyers games.

Answer 8

Promotions and the team

Answer 9

i can care less if the pens are playing atlanta, philly, columbus or detroit. i love to see live games and will go to any of them. of course some have more passion and better atmosphere

56 days until the preseason starts!

Answer 10

Many factors help me decide if I go to a game since I am no longer a season ticket holder. Do I want to see the team coming in badly. That is always high on the list. Can I get tickets. More often then not yes. Is my hockey league having a special promotion with the team for discounted tickets. That helps at times. Do my friends have extra tickets. I get many tickets that way as well.

Answer 11

I am not a current season ticket holder, but I have done half-seasons before...they are only like $500 for 21 games.  

Many times, I go to games, because I am given free tickets.  I NEVER miss a Habs vs. Lightning game, and I try to attend a handful of Original 6 teams during the season.  I went to the Vancouver game last season, because I so rarely get to see them.  I really like sitting on my couch watching it on TV, but it is a necessity to go to a few games every season.  Nothing beats the live action and great feeling of being with over 20,000 people that all have one thing in common, while watching the greatest game on earth.

Answer 12

Unfortunately I don't live in an NHL market town, but I support our local AHL franchise, the Houston Aeros. So I really don't know a whole lot about our opponents. I buy a 10 ticket open voucher which gives me a lot of freedom to choose my games.

My main criteria is accessibility or basically the night of the week since it's a royal PITA to go to the games. As the season evolves and I can see what teams are vying for playoff spots, then I begin to look at the opponent based upon the standings.

Answer 13

Day of the week - I like going to Saturday night games best - less rushing around (after work) than weekday games...

Answer 14

Who they're playing and how good they were the previous season.  I want to see a knock down drag out game.

Answer 15

Team being played

What night of the week

Weather

Can I find my pants

How hung over am I or will I be.

Answer 16

I will go to just about any game. My office has Flyers season Tix and there are normally a few left over so I don't mind going to see any game...at all...ever!!

Also

Now that my Devils are closer to my house and offer $25 tickets for games I never hesitate to go online and buy tix that night if I have the chance to get out.

Answer 17

Division rivals are the main criteria. Then it's individual players (Ovechkin, Thornton, etc.). My last criteria is probably how long it's been since I've seen them play coupled with how good that team is. The better the team is, the more I'm interested.

Answer 18

Who the team is playing!

Answer 19

i'm a wings fan, so when ever someone like the avs or hawks come, it's cool to see that rivalry.  but also if like the pens came, i would also wanna go to see sydney.  so my two biggest reasons are rivalries and favorite players on other teams.

Answer 20

Here in Detroit it's if tickets are available. That's the number one criteria for choosing a game to go to. Also, if it's free. Once in a rare while free tickets will come along from somebody in the family or somebody that someone in the family knows. Pretty sweet eh?

The games I've been to I've had no say in what teams were playing. Detroit vs. Toronto, Detroit vs. Minnesota, Detroit vs. Edmonton in the playoffs in '06 (that was the best one).