A quick trip down the I-5 freeway from my home in a very un-winterlike Los Angeles (temps in the 80's all week), is the Honda Center, home of the Anaheim Ducks. If you had asked me a year ago what I thought of Ducks fans, I would have said they should be embarrassed of themselves. Very very embarrassed. One should hear cheering and screaming at games, not silence broken up by talks of going to the beach the next day.
Perhaps it was the security checkpoint, keeping knife and taser wielding ruffians out of the arena. Perhaps it's the fact that the Ducks are having a fantastic season. Perhaps it was the importance of this game. Whatever it was, the Honda Center was rocking tonight. I was impressed. The question is, are Ducks fans fair-weather fans?
This was one of the most exciting games I've been to in awhile. Both teams played hard- finishing checks, taking it to the net, sticking up for their teammates. Jonathan Cheechoo struck 1st for the Sharks, scoring a hot goal that bounced in and out of the net. The ref waived the goal off and play continued for nearly two minutes. However, the goal was reviewed, the clock set back, and the Sharks were up by one. Anaheim answered with two in a row, and things were looking bleak for the Sharks until Cheech's 20th goal tied the game with 10 minutes left. The game looked destined for overtime when Milan Michalek scored the game winner with 3 seconds left on a Sharks power play. Anaheim made the best of a 6-4 at the end of the game, but it wasn't enough. The Sharks really earned this victory.
One certainly has their choice of hot dogs at the Honda Center. However, Victoria, who took the trip with me from Los Angeles, and I decided to go for a different option. We both opted for chicken strips and fries at the clever, but falsely named, I Only Have Fries for You.
I think "I Only Have Fries..." should have stuck to, no, improved upon, what they say they do best. The chicken strips were totally average, and I would have expected better fries from a place that only has fries for me. The between period churro, or pastry stix as the sign translated for us gringos, was unfortunately terrible. Maybe on my next trip I'll try to BBQ sandwich or eat at Carl's Jr. (Which is, for the record, my favorite fast food joint. Yeah, I said it, I like Carl's Jr. better than In-and-Out. So there.) Well, at least Victoria took away the trash.
The Honda Center is a wonderful arena. After entering through a randomly festive entryway, I was greeted by super-foxy Miller Lite girls. What more can a fella ask for? The Honda Center opened in 1993, and until this season was named the Arrowhead Pond. As you can tell from my trip to the jobbing.com (kill me, again) Arena in Phoenix, I'm no fan of corporate naming. However, I did like the Arrowhead Pond. It made sense. Ducks live in a pond, ponds are made of water. Honda Center makes much less sense, but I suppose it's not horrible.
So the Honda Center has a few quirks. There are no escalators to get to the upper levels, and, as you can see, elevator access is rather restricted. Apparently, unless you're rich or disabled, you're walking. The concourse is made of marble floors and walls. It's a nice touch, though, I think it could have used a bit of variety. Victoria remarked, "aren't these bathroom tiles?"
Aside from a few quirks, the Honda Center is a great place to catch a hockey game. The place is a technical wonderland, with high tech lighting and amazingly clear and colorful electronic screens. The seats are really comfortable and all provide a great view. Parking is plentiful, nearby, and reasonably priced at $12. For a quick exit, park at the back of the lot on the left, near the blocked exit to Katella Ave. It will be open after the game, and you'll be on your way right quick.
The Sharks end the game with a 35-19-1 record. Their 71 points put them 5th in the Western Conference, 5 points behind Detroit, but only 3 points behind Anaheim for the Pacific Division lead. As for the Duck fans, the jury is still out. I'm interested to see what happens in the future.
Perhaps it was the security checkpoint, keeping knife and taser wielding ruffians out of the arena. Perhaps it's the fact that the Ducks are having a fantastic season. Perhaps it was the importance of this game. Whatever it was, the Honda Center was rocking tonight. I was impressed. The question is, are Ducks fans fair-weather fans?
This was one of the most exciting games I've been to in awhile. Both teams played hard- finishing checks, taking it to the net, sticking up for their teammates. Jonathan Cheechoo struck 1st for the Sharks, scoring a hot goal that bounced in and out of the net. The ref waived the goal off and play continued for nearly two minutes. However, the goal was reviewed, the clock set back, and the Sharks were up by one. Anaheim answered with two in a row, and things were looking bleak for the Sharks until Cheech's 20th goal tied the game with 10 minutes left. The game looked destined for overtime when Milan Michalek scored the game winner with 3 seconds left on a Sharks power play. Anaheim made the best of a 6-4 at the end of the game, but it wasn't enough. The Sharks really earned this victory.
One certainly has their choice of hot dogs at the Honda Center. However, Victoria, who took the trip with me from Los Angeles, and I decided to go for a different option. We both opted for chicken strips and fries at the clever, but falsely named, I Only Have Fries for You.
I think "I Only Have Fries..." should have stuck to, no, improved upon, what they say they do best. The chicken strips were totally average, and I would have expected better fries from a place that only has fries for me. The between period churro, or pastry stix as the sign translated for us gringos, was unfortunately terrible. Maybe on my next trip I'll try to BBQ sandwich or eat at Carl's Jr. (Which is, for the record, my favorite fast food joint. Yeah, I said it, I like Carl's Jr. better than In-and-Out. So there.) Well, at least Victoria took away the trash.
The Honda Center is a wonderful arena. After entering through a randomly festive entryway, I was greeted by super-foxy Miller Lite girls. What more can a fella ask for? The Honda Center opened in 1993, and until this season was named the Arrowhead Pond. As you can tell from my trip to the jobbing.com (kill me, again) Arena in Phoenix, I'm no fan of corporate naming. However, I did like the Arrowhead Pond. It made sense. Ducks live in a pond, ponds are made of water. Honda Center makes much less sense, but I suppose it's not horrible.
So the Honda Center has a few quirks. There are no escalators to get to the upper levels, and, as you can see, elevator access is rather restricted. Apparently, unless you're rich or disabled, you're walking. The concourse is made of marble floors and walls. It's a nice touch, though, I think it could have used a bit of variety. Victoria remarked, "aren't these bathroom tiles?"
Aside from a few quirks, the Honda Center is a great place to catch a hockey game. The place is a technical wonderland, with high tech lighting and amazingly clear and colorful electronic screens. The seats are really comfortable and all provide a great view. Parking is plentiful, nearby, and reasonably priced at $12. For a quick exit, park at the back of the lot on the left, near the blocked exit to Katella Ave. It will be open after the game, and you'll be on your way right quick.
The Sharks end the game with a 35-19-1 record. Their 71 points put them 5th in the Western Conference, 5 points behind Detroit, but only 3 points behind Anaheim for the Pacific Division lead. As for the Duck fans, the jury is still out. I'm interested to see what happens in the future.
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