Watching the Flames in other arenas (aka the Road Trip thread)

[tvp2003]

I believe there are at least a couple of CPers taking in some of the games on this East coast swing -- aside from being a little jealous (okay, a lot jealous), I'm wondering how many of you take an annual trip to watch the Flames play on the road. If so, where do you go (and where have you been)? Any good stories to share, tips, photos, etc? Anybody been to more than 10 different rinks to watch the Flames play live?

Someday I'd like to do the NE gauntlet (NYR, NYI, NJ etc.); going to see them play in LA/SJ/ANA would be closer but wins would be harder to come by (especially in Anaheim). For now, I've only watched one Flames game away from the Dome (a preseason tilt against Vancouver almost 10 years ago) so I've got some work to do

[Vinny01]

I have caught 5 games in rexall since 2009 (5-0 flames)

I had my stag party in LA in 2013 and we caught the Ducks on Friday and the Kings on the Saturday. Got just hammered at both games. Ducks fans were fine but LA fans likes to chirp and mouth off (mostly good fun). Both rinks were awesome.

Flames lost 4-0 to the ducks and 6-2 to the Kings. It was the trip where we all knew the rebuild was coming and Iggy and Bouw were traded that year. Due to the lockout we were there in Marxh but the trade deadline had not passed yet

[Resolute 14]

I've done a number of road trips, but I often don't specifically target Flames games. Sometimes it's more fun to go as a neutral fan and just enjoy the atmosphere. That might be because my first Flames road trip to somewhere other than Edmonton was a certain game against Tampa in 2004.

I did the NY trip last year though, and caught our 1-0 win in New Jersey. Amazing building. Nassau, on the other hand, still looks like how it must have in 1972. Glad I got out there before they close it down though. This year, I'm going to Montreal to watch one of the Jays exhibition games and will also catch Habs and Sens (both against Washington), then hit up Minnesota (against Winnipeg) on the way home. That will make 11/30 arenas.

[albertGQ]

Been to Glendale Arena in 2004. Won this trip on the Fan 960. So caught a practice as well. They put us in the Ritz Carlton.

Did the Ducks and Kings trip in 2006. The week before our first round series against the Ducks. Also watched Baroid at Dodger Stadium (Giants vs Dodgers) on the same trip.

Caught Elton Brand and the Clippers vs the Raptors at ACC as well.

That's it for me. Would love to do the NY trip one day.

[CroFlames]

I've seen the Flames play in Edm, Van, SJ, LA & Ana.

Staples is such an awesome rink, and the fans are loud.

SJ is same type of deal, but rink is not as awesome as LA.

ANA is a great rink, but I find the fans to be very quiet. Maybe they are just spoiled with having such a good team and they save their energy for the playoffs (I've never been to a playoff game there) or they are simply bored of pounding the Flames for like 85 straight years.

EDM & VAN - everyone has their own experiences I guess, good & bad. Depending on the night.

Phoenix is next on the bucket list, then Las Vegas...fingers crossed

[Resolute 14]

Phoenix is easily the worst of the new arenas I've been to. It is bizarre to me that they cut out the upper bowl corners for some reason.

[Ben_in_Canada]

Last year I had a holiday where I went from US coast to Coast (San Francisco - Miami).
Was lucky enough to time it with the Flames playing in Phoenix and Nashville. Wasn't lucky enough to see them win either game though.
Also went to a Panthers game against the Sharks while in Florida.
Phoenix had a lot of douchy fans who didn't understand the game, Nashville fans were great.

[EldrickOnIce]

Have seen the Flames in Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Buffalo, Phoenix and Anaheim.
Other than Edmonton, never travelled to the city specifically to see the Flames.

[BEANZ]

I was at the Bruins versus Canucks game last night. Disapointing result but a great building and atmosphere.

With work I travel a bunch so make a point of trying to see live sporting events everywhere I go.

[Deelow]

I've done Edmonton, Vancouver, LA, Phoenix, St. Paul, Buffalo & Toronto for Flames games. Buffalo was by far the most fun I've had at a game outside of Calgary.

[Bourque's Twin]

I went to university in Southern California, so I took in a few games in Anaheim and LA. Usually bad outcomes.

I went to Game 7 in 2008 against the Sharks. It was a tough one to witness.

This year I saw the Gaudreau hat trick comeback against LA this year. SO AWESOME!

I'm putting some money aside for this year if the Flames make the playoffs. I'll attend the first pair of road games.

[kaotik]

I've seen the Flames in Dallas, Phoenix (x3), Vancouver (x3), Edmonton and Toronto. Dallas sure has a real nice rink and a good set up around the arena.

Also gone to a few Coyotes games while down in Phoenix when they weren't playing the Flames...

[It's a great day 4 hockey]

I will be taking my first out of province road trip specifically for the Flames this April 11th. A good friend of mine has been on me for years to get my butt out to Winnipeg and go to a Jets game with him (he has season tickets, lower bowl no less!). Could very easily be a win and get in for either team. Could see the fans doing a white out for the game. Should be awesome!

[YYC-Solo]

I will be watching the Flames play the Bruins in Boston next week. Thanks to a certain trip giveaway on the Fan960 this month

Excited to see the Flames play not at the Dome for the first time in my life. And the free trip makes its that much more enjoyable.

Thanks Boomer and Rhett!

[Enoch Root]

I am in NY for the games this week. Enjoyed MSG last night but it would have been nice to have a bit more to cheer about.

Will report more when I have time.

[Flacker]

Did an eastern road swing a few years back, similar to the Flames current trip. Saw games @ Nassau, Washington, and Boston. Only win was in Washington. Best building/experience/fans was Boston by a mile, despite getting blown out. Seeing Nystrom getting a warm reception @ Nassau was also pretty cool.

Nassau is a unique experience, both getting to and from, and the old barn itself. That being said there was a selection of over 20 different beers even at Nassau, Molson sponsorship really blows at the Saddledome!

[Greybeard]

Did Glendale, SJ, LA, Anaheim this January. 3-1. Was sweet. Had a great time and treated well in all arenas.

[Bill Bumface]

Bring_Back_Shantz, StoneCole, myself and a few others are good for one trip a year since 2003. They did one trip which had Philly and New Jersey that I missed.

In no particular order:

1. Montreal
2. Tampa
3. Detroit (a couple times)
4. Boston (a couple times)
5. Florida
6. Ottawa
7. Toronto
8. Buffalo (a couple times, but only once for a Flames game)
9. New York Islanders
10. New York Rangers (a couple times, only one Flames game)
11. Pittsburgh (other guys have been to Melon and current arena, I've just been to the new one)
12. Washington
13. Carolina
14. Nashville
15. Chicago
16. Minnesota
17. Anaheim (a couple times)
18. Vancouver
19. LA (a couple times)
20. San Jose (a couple times)
21. Phoenix
22. Edmonton
23. Atlanta
24. Prague: NHL Opener in 2008, Rangers vs. Lightning

So that leaves Columbus, St. Louis, Dallas, Winnipeg, Colorado, Philly and New Jersey left for me.

[Puppet Guy]

only Flames game I've been to outside Calgary was in 1996 when I saw them play in the Montreal Forum (one of the last games for the Forum). Bus from Charlottetown to Moncton, train to Montreal through a huge snowstorm to see a hockey game...it's so Canadian it HURTS!

[CroFlames]

What are some of the best arena-area or arena-district set ups? For me LA takes the cake, although I haven't been to as many rinks as some here. LA Live area is sweet.

Glendale's rink has a sweet district around it (I've been to football, not hockey there) but its so dumb that it is in Glendale at all. If that arena/stadium district was transplanted to Scottsdale, it would be world class.

If Seattle builds a rink by the ball park & stadium, that would be one of the best in my opinion.

Nashville's arena is really close to Broadway, and Broadway is definitely a hoot. I've never seen a game there, but definitely no shortages of activities to do post-game.