NHL Arena Rankings - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

hansmoleman · 07-18-2013, 01:27 PM

Some questionable choices in there, but you have to like seeing Edmonton and Vancouver at 23 and 24.

/http://www.stadiumjourney.com/news/0...rena-rankings/

Quote:

19. Scotiabank Saddledome - Home of the Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames have not been terribly competitive in a number of years and have missed the playoffs several years in a row. Further, they traded away two of their best players just prior to the 2013 NHL trade deadline, making it clear they were moving into a phase of rebuilding. The fans, consequently, haven't had a lot to cheer about for quite some time.
Nevertheless, the Scotiabank Saddledome continues to be packed to the rafters night after night, game after game, so there is still considerable energy in the stands. Calgary sports fans are traditionally pretty docile, but they've become more comfortable with cheering and booing where appropriate over the years, so the place generally has a pretty fun, exciting feel to it on most nights, even if the hometown squad is struggling.

Enoch Root · 07-18-2013, 01:36 PM

that's a pretty accurate write-up on Flame fans, IMO

Erick Estrada · 07-18-2013, 01:38 PM

I'm surprised the United Center isn't higher.

tripin_billie · 07-18-2013, 01:39 PM

Verizon Center is way too high on the list. It's ok, but I've enjoyed other rinks more.

It might not have the fan atmosphere, but for pure building-wise, Nationwide is hard to beat.

djsFlames · 07-18-2013, 01:46 PM

Hahahaha, the Xcel Energy Centre.. haha. You've gotta be joking.

There's more reasons than just the team / playing style that drag down Minny games to borderline watch-ability. Unless they're blowing at team out, which is rare, the place is as casual as it gets. Fans cheer for all the little things? When? I haven't noticed..

Sounds like a Minny fan.

Imported_Aussie · 07-18-2013, 01:47 PM

Verizon centre description notes the following:
"During the national anthem, they all stand respectfully and quietly, except for the line "and the rockets red glare," where 19,000 people yell "RED" in unison on that word. Go get your bucket list. Add "Attend a Washington Capitals game at Verizon Center" to it. Then do it. You will not be disappointed."

The fans at the dome will do the same, but add the "SEE" as well. Two for one!

rotten42 · 07-18-2013, 01:48 PM

Pheonix #8? really? There is hardly anybody in that building.

troutman · 07-18-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotten42

Pheonix #8? really? There is hardly anybody in that building.

Nice arena, bad atmosphere.

PegCityFlamesFan · 07-18-2013, 01:50 PM

The write up of the MTS Centre made no sense to me. I figured it would at least include the "True North" chant. All it mentioned was the Jets replaced the moose.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 07-18-2013, 01:51 PM

Having been to 20 or so of those areas, I can say that it's a pretty good list, but there were a few that stuck out:

at 22, the Islanders should be A LOT LOWER

at 27, and 29 Boston, and Anaheim should both be higher.
I think Anaheim is great and should be in the top ten or so, Boston was pretty cool, and should be closer to Anaheim somewhere in the to half.

Calgary should definitely be lower, the 'Dome just isn't that great of an arena.
It's great for watching hockey, as the sight lines are fantastic, but it definitely doesn't stack up to most of the other areans I've been to.

Definitely the worst are Florida, Ottawa (based on location)
Edmonton (based on being a crappy old arena)
and the Islanders (based on being crappy, old, and in the middle of nowhere)

tripin_billie · 07-18-2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Verizon centre description notes the following:
"During the national anthem, they all stand respectfully and quietly, except for the line "and the rockets red glare," where 19,000 people yell "RED" in unison on that word. Go get your bucket list. Add "Attend a Washington Capitals game at Verizon Center" to it. Then do it. You will not be disappointed."

The fans at the dome will do the same, but add the "SEE" as well. Two for one!

Well, a good portion at Verizon center also yell "O" at the beginning because they are dirty Marylanders and cheer for the Orioles.

valo403 · 07-18-2013, 02:37 PM

You have to click on the individual arena names to get the full review, here's the Dome: http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiu...saddledome-s51

5 stars for food and beverage? Really? I mean, I love the nachos but that seems a bit off, especially considering a building like MSG with a new concourse featuring a bunch of gourmet restaurants from high profile chefs only gets a 4.

morgin · 07-18-2013, 02:41 PM

The write-up for Rogers Arena was about the mascot? Weird. Say what you will about the canucks, but that building is a pretty decent place to watch a hockey game (and a good test was the Olympics, given the fanbase inside was very different, and I really enjoyed the experience then.) It's loud and has good food and is always sold out. There is no way it should place behind Rexall Place, where you actually genuinely wonder if you are going to get shanked or catch some sort of disease while watching the game (or travelling to and from the arena).

Erick Estrada · 07-18-2013, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

You have to click on the individual arena names to get the full review, here's the Dome: http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiu...saddledome-s51

5 stars for food and beverage? Really? I mean, I love the nachos but that seems a bit off, especially considering a building like MSG with a new concourse featuring a bunch of gourmet restaurants from high profile chefs only gets a 4.

Yeah. I'm thinking if the Dome gets 5 stars these arenas getting 3 stars must be serving some pretty crappy food.

morgin · 07-18-2013, 02:56 PM

Saddledome also got 5 stars for "Extras".

Quote:

There are a number of added extras when you come see the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The walls of the building are lined with memorabilia, photos and trophies commemorating great teams and events from years past in the Calgary area. Wherever there is a space that doesn't have a concession stand in it, you can find a display.
There is an exhibit remembering the 1988 Winter Olympics, a wall dedicated to Calgary's hockey heritage, plaques for the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame, and so forth.
You'll also find a couple locations of Flames Fan Attic for all your souvenir needs.
Harvey the Hound keeps the kids amused in the stands during the game with his antics.
Looking up into the south rafters, you'll see the large row of banners earned by the Flames in their time in the NHL.
The music played during stoppages in the action on the ice is a nice combination of current hits, classic rock, some country and some good ol' fashioned stadium organ music which adds some nice flavour to the 'Dome's atmosphere.
One other nice touch which I appreciate is that there are now recycling bins located throughout the concourse so environmentally conscious fans can ensure their garbage doesn't just wind up in a landfill.

Go home Steve Strachan you're drunk.

FlamesAddiction · 07-18-2013, 02:59 PM

Having been to Buffalo, I am surprised they aren't higher. Nice new building and great atmosphere. It's about the only good thing in the whole city.

sworkhard · 07-18-2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah. I'm thinking if the Dome gets 5 stars these arenas getting 3 stars must be serving some pretty crappy food.

Or they are charging even more for the same thing. The time it takes to get through lineups also affect the ratings.

djsFlames · 07-18-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgin

Saddledome also got 5 stars for "Extras".

Go home Steve Strachan you're drunk.

Pfft. When it comes to "extras" I can really get on board with what he's saying. The Dome is a lot of things, but certainly isn't plain. There's a lot of things to look at. The only thing I don't agree with is the music, but for kids/families, I guess it's a good mix of stuff. (just really really needs a change up for the rest of us)

MissTeeks · 07-18-2013, 03:14 PM

What happened to Strachan at the end of last year? He was never there when I went to games, it was the Hitman guy.

morgin · 07-18-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Pfft. When it comes to "extras" I can really get on board with what he's saying. The Dome is a lot of things, but certainly isn't plain. There's a lot of things to look at. The only thing I don't agree with is the music, but for kids/families, I guess it's a good mix of stuff. (just really really needs a change up for the rest of us)

A fair amount of what is on display is kind of old though, and not in the "cool old historical artifacts' kind of way, but in the "wow this faded poster looks like they just didnt replace it versus there being any historical value to it".

Also, up until last year (and I didn't go to a game in the last half of the season, but at least at the beginning of the season) the TVs and other displays showing the game from the concourse were all 1990s tube tvs, and not even the flat screen kind, but the ####ty gigantic plastic case kind.

The presentation of the game at the Saddledome is ok, but once you go to a modern rink, it really shows its age. The "extras" for review purposes should not receive a 5 star rating when done in comparison to other rinks.