Senators Tickets - standing room only

[red sky]

Hello all,

I am heading to Ottawa during the November long weekend where they will be playing the Canadiens on the Saturday. The only tickets available are "standing room only" and I was wondering what exactly this means. Is it first come first serve standing room? Has anyone ever done this before, feedback?

Any help would be appreciated. Also, how far is the rink in Kanata from Ottawa (driving time)?

[Resolute 14]

I think Eastern Girl is in Ottawa. Try sending her a PM?

[urban1]

You tickets will have a number on them that correspons to a square marked on the floor that you get to stand in. Its marked like a regular ticket except you dont have a seat to sit in, only a spot to stand in.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Standing room won't have a seat but an assigned spot and there will be a ledge to put your snacks on in front of you. The seats are at the very top of the third level but it's still a good view.

As for getting to SBP, it depends where in Ottawa you are. It's right off the Queensway, Ottawa's version of Deerfoot, at the western edge of the city. On a Saturday traffic won't be that bad.

[SteveToms]

I went to a Sens came back in like 2004, we went to a bar knocked back a few, had a few wings, and caught a bus that took us to game and back. We paid like 15 bucks at most for the beer, wings and bus each, not a bad idea to take

[metallicat]

For what it's worth, I've been to a few games in Edmonton using standing rook tickets, and I've had a blast. A fun way to see a game IMO.

[Eddie Bronze]

Originally Posted by red sky

Any help would be appreciated. Also, how far is the rink in Kanata from Ottawa (driving time)?

Well, Kanata is part of Ottawa. So it really depends on where you are staying in Ottawa, which happens to be the biggest geographical city in the entire country. Kanata is to the far west of the city.

[STeeLy]

Actually, Kanata is considered a suburb of Ottawa

I've been to several games in Ottawa and I plan on doing it again this year since I go to school there. I must say, it is pretty far if you were to live in downtown Ottawa. At least a half an hours drive. I think though bussing is a better option as there will be a lot of cars going into the arena at the start and out at the end, but they will usually give buses the priority (provided you make it on the bus at the end of the game).

I'm also surprised that they only have stading room only tickets, last year I watched a sens vs habs game there and I bought the tickets there... not standing room, but "obstructed view", which wasn't much, it was just the camera blocking the view of the play very slightly...

[red sky]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. The tickets are about $40 which I think is quite steep. My buddy moved there not too long ago so I am not to sure where he is living (close to Carleton) I believe. I need to look into that bus idea for sure... thanks Stevetoms!

[Eastern Girl]

Originally Posted by red sky

Thanks for all the feedback guys. The tickets are about $40 which I think is quite steep. My buddy moved there not too long ago so I am not to sure where he is living (close to Carleton) I believe. I need to look into that bus idea for sure... thanks Stevetoms!

If he does live close to the university, you can catch the bus straight to Scotiabank Place from Billings Bridge. They have a couple that leave from there. You are are also more likely to get a seat from there. That is what I typically do, I live right down the street from Carleton. But make sure you check the times carefully, as there are only a couple buses that leave from there and go right to SBP.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Eastern Girl

If he does live close to the university, you can catch the bus straight to Scotiabank Place from Billings Bridge. They have a couple that leave from there. You are are also more likely to get a seat from there. That is what I typically do, I live right down the street from Carleton. But make sure you check the times carefully, as there are only a couple buses that leave from there and go right to SBP.

If they live near Carleton, they can always take the 4 to Hurdman and catch a bus from there, it is one of the important stops on the transitway (city transit/emergency vehicles only) There should be quite a few of the buses that goes to Scotiabank place leaving from there, but beware, service stops approx 1 hr before game time

[red sky]

I just bought the tickets. My buddy has a car so we may just drive down. How is the parking at Scotiaplace? Is probably best to just bus it down then?

[STeeLy]

I remember there's quite a few parking spots down at SBP, except u just have to fight traffic going into it and coming out of it.

I mean, The Ottawa transit is $3.00/person in cash or $1.90 if u bought bus tickets before hand... it isn't too bad (yes, we also have transfers that usually last for anywhere between an hour and a half to two hours), I'd certainly say busing is a better option.

@EG: How'd u manage to find a place just down the street from Carleton? Or did u live there to begin with?

[red sky]

It's my friends place. I think he is under 10 minute drive from Carleton. Not sure where though. Anyways, I got my ticket confirmation back and one thing I noticed which it didn't show when I purchased them was this:

"note sections 216, 314, 315 & 316, including standing room locations in these sections, are alcohol free"

Luckily I am in section 312... close call!

[Eastern Girl]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

@EG: How'd u manage to find a place just down the street from Carleton? Or did u live there to begin with?

I just looked around for places close to Carleton. There's a cluster of apartment buildings close to the rear entrance of Carleton, a 20 min walk or so along the canal. There are usually available apartments there. They are a little expensive, but you save lots in transportation costs, because you can walk to school everyday. That's what I did, rain or shine, I walked along the canal to class. It's a pretty good area, lots of students around too.

[Eastern Girl]

Originally Posted by red sky

It's my friends place. I think he is under 10 minute drive from Carleton. Not sure where though. Anyways, I got my ticket confirmation back and one thing I noticed which it didn't show when I purchased them was this:

"note sections 216, 314, 315 & 316, including standing room locations in these sections, are alcohol free"

Luckily I am in section 312... close call!

Yeah, I believe those are the family zones. I was in 316 once. Just once.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by red sky

I just bought the tickets. My buddy has a car so we may just drive down. How is the parking at Scotiaplace? Is probably best to just bus it down then?

There's lots of parking but it is horribly laid out. If you can get out of the building quickly, and you have an advantage with your tickets, you might be able to avoid the post-game traffic jam.

[Devils'Advocate]

Even when I've had access to a vehicle, I've always taken the bus. There is only one way into SBP and one way out. So unless you leave with 5 minutes left in the game (and shame on those that do) you are in for a looooong wait in traffice.

With the buses on the other hand, they have a lane to themselves, so you get to laugh at all the people in cars as you wheel on by....

*BUT* I did go in a car with a francophone once and I have to tell you that that is the best way to learn all the best french swear words.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Even when I've had access to a vehicle, I've always taken the bus. There is only one way into SBP and one way out. So unless you leave with 5 minutes left in the game (and shame on those that do) you are in for a looooong wait in traffice.

That's not true at all.

Ignoring west bound on the Queensway as an option, there's also Huntmar and Palladium to get in/out from.

If you want to avoid the congestion on the Queensway, take Palladium (or Huntmar-Maple Grove) to Terry Fox to Hazeldean and keep going until you get on the Queensway near Bayshore.

Living in Barrhaven I don't need to take the Queensway since the Terry Fox extension to Eagleson is incredibly quick. Before the extension was completed I used to take 416 to Queensway before the game and it only took half an hour.

Last night's game, I was home in about 25 minutes in what Google Maps says should take 27 minutes and it took longer because of a blackout in Kanata that left many intersections completely dark. And I didn't leave until the game was over.

[red sky]

So i am heading to Ottawa on Thursday. Got my tickets to the hockey game on Saturday. Any suggestions of other things to do and see. I will probably head to parlament hill on rememberance day. Any help would be appreciated!