Coyotes Host Free Practice

Phill11 · December 14th, 2003, 07:49 AM

At the new stadium!

Who will be there?

I will

Phill11 · December 14th, 2003, 01:26 PM

I back, and very dissapointed. We didn't even get in. There had to be 50,000+ people there. They said it would be a free practice. It was a quick 2 minute tour, not a practice. Season ticket holders got to watch the practice, not general fans. This was very dissapointing after standing in line for 2 hours and not getting in (We left due to rage of people coming out saying how bad it was).

It Was Horrbile.

Stronso · December 14th, 2003, 02:35 PM

I was there and got in - I was very surprised by the amount of people there - I would estimate 25,000 people. I talked to some of the people there and the Arena expected only 10,000 people. Obviously they were - like everyone else was - surprised by the turnout. That being the case the Arena management had to adjust for the numbers of people. I am sure for any event any person put on underestimated the attendance by half there would be problems

The Arena is still a work in progress but it was very cool to see the Yotes in their new home. The players were chipping pucks into the stands for the fans who were watching practice. It will be a great place to watch hockey and I love the open concourses to the ice. Great great place!!

Sorry that you did not get in to see it - not to rub it in but I had a great time

Nick C · December 14th, 2003, 04:38 PM

I've delivered some materials there during different phases of the construction.

I think it is going to be a great place to watch hockey. Not a bad seat in the house

Phill11 · December 14th, 2003, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nick C
I've delivered some materials there during different phases of the construction.

I think it is going to be a great place to watch hockey. Not a bad seat in the house

But was it worth standing in line for 3 hours for a free 2 minute tour, when they said that people were going to get to watch the practice?

WizardOfAz · December 14th, 2003, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phill11
I back, and very dissapointed. We didn't even get in. There had to be 50,000+ people there.

Free and Phoenix sports "fans".

There's a nice combination.

Buy a ticket and go back Phill11.

Stronso · December 14th, 2003, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phill11
But was it worth standing in line for 3 hours for a free 2 minute tour, when they said that people were going to get to watch the practice?

Sneak a peek at arena in Glendale

Open house today

Pat Flannery
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 14, 2003 12:00 AM

If you go

WHAT: Glendale Arena open house.

WHEN: Today, 10 a.m. for Coyotes season ticket holders, 11:30 a.m. for the general public. Lasts until 4 p.m.

WHERE: Glendale and 91st avenues east of Loop 101.

COST: Free. Visitors are asked to bring canned food to donate to charity.

Whether you're a sports fan or just a taxpayer wondering what your money bought, the doors of Glendale Arena will open for free to you today during a public open house.

The $220 million arena, 80 percent of which was paid for by Glendale, is days from completion. Its first event is scheduled to be the season opener of the Valley's new indoor lacrosse team on Dec. 26. A week-old lacrosse players strike has not yet been settled, but team officials say they expect the game to take place.

The Phoenix Coyotes host the Nashville Predators the following night during the sold-out grand opening.

Rich Nairn, Coyotes vice president of communications, said team officials wanted the public to have a "sneak peek" before the arena swings into action. But it also is a marketing opportunity: Ticket packages and team merchandise will be on sale.

Officials have no clue what kind of crowd to expect but will get an early indication today of how interested the public is in the new West Valley venue. Its ice floor is already painted and ready for skating, and concessions are stocked for business. The hockey team will hold its first practice there from noon to 1 p.m., giving visitors a glimpse of action.

Phill11 · December 14th, 2003, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WizardOfAz
Free and Phoenix sports "fans".

There's a nice combination.

Buy a ticket and go back Phill11.

Buy a ticket. Thats the key. This was SUPPOSED to be a free pracitce. According to the Radio and TV station, it was a practice where people could see the new arena. We left beacause the long line and beacause we heard it was a disapointing 2 minute tour and you didnt get to stay and watch the practice.

Im disapointed.

Stronso · December 14th, 2003, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phill11
Buy a ticket. Thats the key. This was SUPPOSED to be a free pracitce. According to the Radio and TV station, it was a practice where people could see the new arena. We left beacause the long line and beacause we heard it was a disapointing 2 minute tour and you didnt get to stay and watch the practice. Im disapointed.

"Officials have no clue what kind of crowd to expect but will get an early indication today of how interested the public is in the new West Valley venue. Its ice floor is already painted and ready for skating, and concessions are stocked for business. The hockey team will hold its first practice there from noon to 1 p.m., giving visitors a glimpse of action."

I and many other people stayed and watched the FREE PRACTICE. I think you got stuck in a combination of bad information and an unexpectedly large turnout. Don't be bitter just because you chose to leave.

Phill11 · December 15th, 2003, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stronso
"Officials have no clue what kind of crowd to expect but will get an early indication today of how interested the public is in the new West Valley venue. Its ice floor is already painted and ready for skating, and concessions are stocked for business. The hockey team will hold its first practice there from noon to 1 p.m., giving visitors a glimpse of action."

I and many other people stayed and watched the FREE PRACTICE. I think you got stuck in a combination of bad information and an unexpectedly large turnout. Don't be bitter just because you chose to leave.

There was a free practice? I got a lot of bad info then. Weird.

Phill11 · December 15th, 2003, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stronso
"Officials have no clue what kind of crowd to expect but will get an early indication today of how interested the public is in the new West Valley venue. Its ice floor is already painted and ready for skating, and concessions are stocked for business. The hockey team will hold its first practice there from noon to 1 p.m., giving visitors a glimpse of action."

I and many other people stayed and watched the FREE PRACTICE. I think you got stuck in a combination of bad information and an unexpectedly large turnout. Don't be bitter just because you chose to leave.

Are you a seasonh ticket holder?

Stronso · December 15th, 2003, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phill11
Are you a seasonh ticket holder?

No, I get my tickets by either buying single games, win them through contests, or friends give them to me.

My girlfriend and I may move back to NYC here in the near future and we did not want to committ to season tickets. If we were to stay here I would go down and buy them today...

Phill11 · December 15th, 2003, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stronso
No, I get my tickets by either buying single games, win them through contests, or friends give them to me.

My girlfriend and I may move back to NYC here in the near future and we did not want to committ to season tickets. If we were to stay here I would go down and buy them today...

Ok, the information we were told was that "General" fans got a free 2 minute tour, while season ticket holders got in for a free practice. A lady came yelling out "You dont even get to sit down, you take a 2 minute tour and they make you exit". After hearing this and seeing her face, filled with A LOT of anger, we decided it wasn't worth waiting another 2 hours for, note we already stood in line for 2 hours. So we left, And from my understanding We would not have been able to see the practice.

WizardOfAz · December 16th, 2003, 06:19 PM

I purchased four tickets for the Rangers game....probably a better way to see the new arena.

I will say, however, I was disappointed that I missed out on the opportunity to purchase tickets to the opener on 12/27.

TrentAZCards · December 17th, 2003, 03:17 PM

ISn't there only supposed to standing room only left in the opener? That is great to hear if true, and dissapointed I missed out on the opportunity too! I love hockey, and only wish it was more popular here in Phoenix.(high school wise/league wise...its booming a bit here with the Phoenix Polar Bears going 57-0-0, and having the national title...these are a JR hockey team here by the way.)