February 29, 2008 – Anaheim, CA
Not having travelled to see the Flames play since last year’s first-round exit against the Red Wings, it was once again time to hit the road and cheer on the Flaming C. This trip involved a return to the newly named Honda Center to see the Flames play the Ducks, followed by a quick hop over to Phoenix for a game against the Coyotes. We were being accompanied by a couple of buddies on this trip; three friends who wanted to see what travelling to see the Flames play was all about. Of course it didn’t hurt that this trip was to California and Arizona in the middle of winter.
The trip hit its’ first bump before we even left Calgary. The night before we were to leave, it came to our attention that we wouldn’t be able to fly from Calgary non-stop to Los Angeles as planned. Looking at the flight schedules, it became apparent that there was only one way we were going to be able to take in both games, and that was to fly through Toronto. There was a red-eye flight to Toronto leaving that night, which would allow us to connect to an LA bound flight in the morning and still have us in Southern California in time for the game, all be it a little sleepy. All involved were in favour, and it was off to the airport. There is nothing quite like getting off a plane after four hours, to know that you are then twice as far away from your final destination. Such is the price we pay for last minute travel!
We arrived at the Honda Center on a beautiful Friday night, a group of five, anxious to see some hockey. I bought the tickets on StubHub, where I was able to get them for less than their face value. Unfortunately, they were also in the very last row of the upper deck. As we sat in our seats, it was decided that we would never again settle for crappy seats at an arena like Anaheim, where seats are not difficult to come by and are very affordable. Why sit in the worst seats in the house for $15 when we can sit in the lower bowl for only $50, or at least considerably less than we’d pay in the Dome? Away games are the perfect opportunity to sit in great seats.
Walking the concourse before the game, I was reminded of why I’m not too fond of this arena. The concourses are nice, with marble floors and walls, but the venue just lacks any kind of enticing atmosphere. I find it difficult to describe, but there is something about the Honda Center that I find “un-fun.” What was fun however was that Miller Lite had a booth set up near the main entrance. As part of their promotion, there was a taste test where you drank a cup of Miller Lite and a cup of Bud Lite before picking a winner. Although I’m not a fan of light beers, I am a fan of free beers. Especially at a hockey game. Now I’ve seen free parking and free beer at hockey games, who would of thunk it!? I couldn’t really tell the difference between the two, but was lucky enough to pick Miller Lite, so I received an autographed poster of the Miller Lite girls; a true hockey keepsake.
My second trip to the Honda Center, or rather my first to the Honda Center, but second trip to this arena, finished much like the first one; in disappointment. The Flames came out flat, and were unable to get any kind of momentum going against the defending Stanley Cup champions, falling 3-1. Dion Phaneuf was the only Flame able to score on the Ducks, while Niedermayer (Scott), Selanne and Schneider all scored for the Ducks.
After the game, milling about the arena, we met a Ducks fan, Phil, who was keen to talk hockey. He was a bit of a different breed, being born and raised in Southern California, and being a knowledgeable and die-hard hockey fan! Phil was able to talk not only about the current state of the NHL and its teams, but teams from the past, the AHL, the WHL and international hockey.
-TheRev
Honda Center Fast Facts
Seats: Section 403; $18; StubHub
Score: Flames 1, Ducks 3
Unique Concession: Free Miller Lite Samples
Souvenir Stick: previously acquired
Public Transit: none
Unique Arena Trait: none
Swag: none
Photos
Next up is a game tonight in Phoenix…
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