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Gordon Bombay
(The Next Level!)
USA
160 Posts |
 Posted - 02/08/2011 : 02:05:44 AM
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A question for all the clones fans who have gone to see the boys play on away games. What were the other ECHL arenas like that you've been too? What did you like? What didn't you like? How did they compare to USBA?
I've heard mixed things about Wheeling's WesBanco arena and the general consensus on Toledo's seems to be that the place is great. I went to a couple Clones/Bombers games back when Dayton still had their ECHL team. The Nutter Center itself is a nice facility, but seeing hockey there kind of sucks. The sightlines are so-so, the place always seems to have problems with traffic when I've been and the Bombers never really seemed to draw a good crowd.
So what are your guys thoughts on other arenas you've seen the Cyclones play at? |
Recreational Trespassing, Rants about the Reds, Hanging out with Zamboni Drivers and Photography:
www.queencitydisco.com |
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new_cyclones_fan
(Rookie)
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 02:21:25 AM
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| The arena the Wranglers play at in Las Vegas (The Orleans) is much nicer than even Nationwide Arena. New polished granite floors. Gold fixtures and custom color bowls in the (well maintained) bathrooms. The smell of fresh cinnamon roasted almonds wafting through the halls. It's _really_ nice. |
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Gordon Bombay
(The Next Level!)
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 03:03:47 AM
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| ^I've always heard good things about Orleans, but never heard that it was better than Nationwide. That's pretty cool though. How did you feel about the scoreboard/videoboard on the wall as opposed to the center hanging type jumbotrons? |
Recreational Trespassing, Rants about the Reds, Hanging out with Zamboni Drivers and Photography:
www.queencitydisco.com |
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Susan
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
986 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 10:23:50 AM
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I have been to WesBanco, both of Toledo's arenas, Elmira, Reading, K-zoo, Nutter Center & Johnstown. I really like K-zoo's arena the best. I'll soon find out about the Bi-Lo Center. I like the jumbo screen that Toledo has but I don't care for the fans. They are just as rude as they were in their old barn.
At WesBanco, the only thing I don't like besides the "Family" is that horn-it seems to be much louder than ours. |
Hockey is life. All the rest is just small stuff.
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new_cyclones_fan
(Rookie)
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 11:56:30 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Gordon Bombay
^I've always heard good things about Orleans, but never heard that it was better than Nationwide. That's pretty cool though. How did you feel about the scoreboard/videoboard on the wall as opposed to the center hanging type jumbotrons?
Where my seat was, I wasn't too annoyed by the scoreboard situation but I was kind of a stranger in a strange land there. I was really just watching the ice most of the time because it was my first game of the season. There was a lot to soak in after coming off a long wait after a Kelly Cup championship high. Perhaps the fresh roasted cinnamon almonds put me in a trance,...
I do remember that the player entrances we somewhat of a kludge. The home team comes through the same entrance as the zamboni and the visitors have a long walk along the other end of the arena. USBA is quite a bit more player friendly in that respect. But since I'm not a pro player, it's really no skin off my nose.
Anyway, I do look forward to my next trip to Vegas during the hockey season because although I probably won't care much about the teams playing, it's a really nice arena and well, ..., it's hockey! |
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Hakeedude
(Been Here Awhile)
524 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 12:11:20 PM
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I too like Kalamazoo. It's a little older, but that's its charm. Also lodging within walking distance. I went to school at WMU where I fell in love with hockey. Lots of great memories going to Broncos games with my then 4 year-old son.
Toledo is bright and shiny and new; I had a different experience than you, Susan (weren't we at the same game this year-over Christmas break?)--I felt they were orienting more towards families (the mascots, the sponge bob song, etc.). The fans in our area were just kind of neutral-neither friendly or unfriendly. The video board was annoying-being off against the far wall. They had a really good game program.
Wheeling I like because it is old. Hate the horn tho, and miss having a video display. I like most Wheeling fans. Their mascot is pathetic.
Really enjoyed going to see Cyclones/Mississippi Seawolves a couple of years ago. Very nice fans--thanked us for coming down. Oh-except for that fat old lady at the top of the aisle who scowled and gave us the finger as we were leaving. Too funny.
And Johnstown-except for being historic and the site for Slapshot was pathetic--Nothing to do between periods at all. Loved the Incline nearby up to the restaurant we ate at.
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AwesomeSauce
(The Next Level!)
159 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 1:22:53 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by new_cyclones_fan
The arena the Wranglers play at in Las Vegas (The Orleans) is much nicer than even Nationwide Arena. New polished granite floors. Gold fixtures and custom color bowls in the (well maintained) bathrooms. The smell of fresh cinnamon roasted almonds wafting through the halls. It's _really_ nice.
Fresh cinnamon roasted almonds? Ah. Sounds much better than the burnt popcorn and greasy cheese I'm used to smelling at USBA!
Johnstown was cool,mostly because of the Slap Shot connection. The game experience wasn't anything great. Sound system was terrible and PA guy couldnt keep up with the game. Not a whole lot going on in Johnstown otherwise,but taking the Incline and walking around Westmont was fun. |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 3:45:46 PM
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| I know this will knock some out, but I really like the Nutter Center in Dayton only because you could stand in the picnic areas along the rails at the one end and be up high and look straight down on the ice. Reminded me of the old NHL arenas like the old Boston Garden where the balconies actually overhung the ice and the rows were on a much steeper incline than the new arenas including here. Even in the front row of the balconies in the new arenas you are really far back from the ice. Hanging over the ice and looking straight down gives you an absolutely great view of the game and the movement of the players. Lets you see how things develop. The rest of Nutter stunk but I always stood along those rails. Straight down were the glass and netting. |
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bhf303
(The Next Level!)
198 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 6:46:06 PM
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Last year during Valentines Day, the Wife and I went to a Friday tilt at Toledo and the Arena was great. We encountered some rude fans, but we also met four great guys and had some good conversations about hockey and our shared disdain for K-Zoo.
We then went to Johnstown on Sunday and we actually fell in love with place. The fans were absolutely great and we met some really cool people there. The Arena had a certain charm that we loved. There was certainly nothing fancy there, but that lended to the charm. The war memorial was really enlightening and since our son had been to Iraq and was still in the Marines, we felt connected and really enjoyed talking to the gentleman that was working there.
All in all, we really enjoyed the trip, we were saddend to hear that Johnstown was leaving. The few fans that were there were very upset about that. We spoke to an elderly gentleman who was very sad and stated on more than one occasion that he didn't know what he was going to do with himself when the team left.
My wife stated that if we ever hit the lottery, she was buying a team and setting up shop in Johnstown. lol |
Somersaults, thats how I roll! |
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Reggie Dunlop
(The Next Level!)
USA
399 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 7:21:58 PM
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Toledo's Huntington Center is quite nice. The seats are a little tight. Other than that, great facility.
Gwinnett Center is beautiful. It's a major league level facility. However, a lot of major league prices for food and beverage. Comfortable seating.
Nutter Center was decent. |
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tjpavlik
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2011 : 8:59:05 PM
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We haven't played there yet but earlier this season I saw the Reign play Alaska at Citizen's Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. A brand new top notch facility. Great sight lines, good scoreboard, concessions were a bit higher than normal (but better selection...). Oh, FREE PARKING!!
A weird touch was that the Reign chose for some reason to have the long change in the first and third period. A fan told me the nicer locker room was the reasoning. It backfired on them that game as they lost the game 1-0 (on a Chad Starling turnover, ouch) and could not get the goaltender off for the extra attacker. |
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