November 21, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA
As winter settles into Calgary, it’s always nice to make a little road trip to Southern California to see the Flames play a couple of games in warmer climates, so this past weekend, we made what has become our annual pilgrimage to Los Angeles. The Flames were playing in the Staples Center on Saturday afternoon and the Honda Center on Monday night.I’ve never liked afternoon games as it just doesn’t seem right to be watching hockey while it is still daylight out, and sunlight is beaming through the tunnels and into the seating bowl. Nonetheless, we arrived at the Staples Center about an hour before puck drop, which on this sunny afternoon was at 1:00PM. We were walking from our hotel and passed through LA Live, which is being dubbed the “Times Square of the West.” Of course it is nothing like Times Square, and far too contrived to ever be like Times Square, but it is filled with bars and restaurants and adds more to the vibrancy of the city than what was previously there, a two level parking garage. LA Live also features the Nokia Theatre, which hosts various awards ceremonies and movie premiers. On this particular Saturday, it was being set up to host the American Music Awards the following night.
As this was not our first trip to the Staples Center, we were less inclined to do the usual circle of the concourse. Instead, it is a quick line to the concessions for an afternoon beer, before heading to out seats in section 207 behind the Flames’ attack end. Noticeable at this game, was the poor attendance. Of all the games I’ve been to at the Staples Center, there are usually pretty good crowds, nearing capacity. I don’t know if it was because it was an afternoon game or not, but by the time the puck dropped, the arena was only half full.
Things started off with a bang as most fans hadn’t even sat down yet, when Iginla came in and scored 13 seconds into the game. The Kings were able to take the lead in the 2nd period with two goals in 38 seconds, but the Flames settled down and scored four unanswered goals, taking the game 5 – 2. The afternoon was highlighted by Jarome Iginla scoring his 9th career hat trick in the win. It was great to see the hats being thrown onto the ice at an away game, and I’ve been asked many times if I threw mine. I’d like to set the record straight: I did not throw my hat, as we were sitting behind the net in the 200 level. I wouldn’t be able to reach the ice on my own, and as we were surrounded by Kings fans, I don’t think they would have passed my hat along to ice level. If I could have thrown my hat, I would have. Really. For serious.
We headed to ESPN Zone across the street after the game for some beer and nachos, and then spent most of the night at one of the greatest bars in the world at the Figeuroa Hotel, two blocks from the Staples Center. If you’re ever in LA, head to the Figueroa for a drink, you won’t be disappointed!
Staples Center Fast Facts
Seats: Section 207; $40; StubHub
Score: Flames 5, Kings 2
Souvenir Stick: none
Public Transit: Train stop across the street
Unique Arena Trait: Three levels of luxury suites
Swag: Anze Kopitar 8x10 photo
November 23, 2009 – Anaheim, CA
The second leg of our Southern California trip was the Flames-Ducks game at the Honda Center in Anaheim. For the past four years, a trip to SoCal meant a game against the Kings who haven’t made the playoffs in almost a decade, and a game against the Ducks, we were perennial Stanley Cup contenders. This year however, the roles have been reversed, as going into the weekend, the Kings and Flames were tied in the standings at fourth place in the Western Conference, and the Ducks found themselves in the cellar. This was my fourth game at the Honda Center, I thought this would be the best opportunity to see the Flames do something I’d never see before; win in Anaheim.
We arrived at the arena only ten minutes before the game, as there isn’t really anything to do in the Honda Center beforehand. It may be the most vanilla arena in the league, and it is exactly what I fear when there is talk of a new arena for the Flames; I fear we end up with something like the Honda Center. It lacks any unique characteristics, or any atmosphere. It kind of feels like the Saddledome during the Superskills competition, as the crowds are sparse, few people really care about the result, and after the game everybody will leave as soon as possible to get home earlier.
Our tickets for the game were purchased on Ticketmaster and were part of a “Miller Lite Beer Pack” promotion, which for $60 each, we received a ticket in the lower bowl, a hot dog and a beer. Ahhh, the benefits of watching hockey in California! Interestingly enough however, when we redeemed our hot dog and beer vouchers, we received Coors Light, despite the promotion being sponsored by Miller Lite.
Like the game in LA two days earlier, the stands were pretty empty, with an announced crowd of 15,000 and change, but a crowd I’d guess to be closer to around 12,000. With the Ducks in last place, the fans have obviously stopped coming. Our seats were in section 227, which is in the lower bowl and behind the net in the Flames attack zone. As usual at a Flames-Ducks game, we were surrounded by enough Flames fans that it didn’t feel like watching a game 2000 miles from the Dome.
The Flames came out gunning, keen to make a sweep of the SoCal teams and outshot the Ducks 43-34. Despite this advantage however, the Ducks were up 2-1 on the Flames heading into the final minute of play. With much of the sparse crowd heading for the doors, hoping to beat traffic, the Flames pulled Kiprusoff for an extra attacker. On a pass from Jokinen, Iginla was able to score with only 18 seconds left in the game to tie it up. Unfortunately, the Flames were not able to score in overtime or a shootout, while Teemu Selanne was, as he beat Kiprusoff on the Ducks’ third shot, to give them the victory. Despite not winning, it was still the best Flames performance I’ve seen in Anaheim.
After the game, we headed to a nearby pub to have a beer with 'Phil in Anaheim,' whom we had met two seasons earlier at a Flames-Ducks game. Phil's a die-hard hockey fan, and we had another great discussion of everything hockey related.
Honda Center Fast Facts
Seats: Section 227; $60; Ticketmaster
Score: Flames 2, Ducks 3 in a shootout
Souvenir Stick: none
Public Transit: none
Unique Arena Trait: none
Swag: none
Photo from: http://www.life.com/image/84302189
