Going to a Hockey Game: My Top 5 Pet Peeves

As hockey fans, we love going to games. We become a part of the game, each person a cog within the roar of the crowd machine. But the experience is rarely unmarred by someone or something at the arena. When I was at the Pens-Senators game a few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to sit behind a rowdy fan who insisted on yelling at players on the ice. It got me thinking. There aren't many things that bother me at hockey games, but the ones that do can have a huge effect on the whole experience.

Here are my top five pet peeves:

5. Going to the game for business. This is the most passive of my pet peeves, and one that I could avoid if I wasn't such a sucker for free tickets. I have a love/hate relationship with the corporate boxes. Because of where I work, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a few games in a corporate box near center ice (the company will remain nameless). The view from their perch is fantastic, and the food and drinks are free all night. My issue is the atmosphere in the box. When you’re invited to sit in a corporate box, you’re expected to hobnob with employees and guests, and it inevitably means talking business. It also means being on your best behavior. Most of all, it means you are rarely able to cheer, chant, or enjoy the game like everyone else because you’re being watched, and true fun is frowned upon. Despite the view, I would much rather watch the game from the seats or from one of the party boxes on the end where it’s okay to be yourself.

4. Fans banging on the glass. This obvious cry for attention annoys me when I’m at the game and when I’m watching it on TV. Sure, I understand hitting the glass after a goal. I’ve been fortunate to sit on the glass for a playoff game against the Flyers, and you can’t help it – after a goal. Any other time, I don’t get it. The players are grateful that you’re there, but they’re not going to stop and give you a thumbs-up for smacking the glass while they grind it out along the boards. And while we’re at it, please stop putting your beer on the ledge against the glass. One hard check into the boards and everyone behind you will be wearing your IC Light.

3. Overpriced everything. It’s gotten to the point where you have to take out a small loan to take a family of four to a Pens game. After tickets, parking, food, and drink, you’re looking at a minimum of $500 in the cheap seats. Souvenirs are optional if you just got your tax return and feel like you could splurge and spend $40 on a baseball cap. And let’s be honest…. The “classic” food choices aren’t worth a fraction of what you pay. What’s the profit margin on a bland, overcooked $5.00 hot dog - 90%? If you’re like me and prefer craft beer and real food (Burgatory!!), you might have to get a second mortgage.

2. Fans yelling at players. You’re there to root your team on, not scream critical remarks at a player who doesn’t do what you think he should do when you think he should do it. A player may not shoot because there isn’t an opening. He may not because it’s too risky. He may not stand in front of the net because that’s not the play the coach called. If you want to coach, go coach. Otherwise, let these guys do what they get paid to do and shut up. They don’t show up at your job and scream at you, right? Save it for the bar, the water cooler, your Facebook page, or Twitter. During the last game I went to, I had to listen to a guy in front of me telling Kennedy he sucks and Kunitz was “an idiot”. We were jerks because we didn’t appreciate what he was doing for the players. Seriously.

1. Fans yelling obscenities. Whether you care or not, there are families at the game. Have some respect and try to be a decent human being for a few hours. Kids are like parrots who will repeat anything they hear. If you don’t care, then you’re exactly the kind of person I don’t want my kid around, and I’d prefer if you just stayed home. I really don’t want to have to explain why my kid yells out an obscenity during story time at the library.