We bring you a special five things moment as Tony's found another five things he learned on his little excursion. Take it away Tony...
After another game at the BB&T center last night, and as we begin
our journey back to Blighty, I've found time to jot down another five
things I learned from my week in the States.
1> Panthers look like the real deal - 14 goals for and 4 against in three games tells its own story, but when they are giving significant ice to their first round picks from 2009-2014 (Kulikov, Bjugstad, Gudbranson, Huberdeau, Barkov & Ekblad) and also have all-stars like Jagr and Luongo then that's a mix that might get them some banners for their building.
2> Coaching legends - on the opposition benches we got to see both Joel Quenneville and Mike Babcock, who share various winningest active NHL records including best paid at $6m a year. Q has the easiest job for now, as Babcock's Leafs looked like they expected to lose midway through the second.
3> Giveaways - they filled every free moment with fan giveaways - we must have seen fifty T-shirts & forty hot-dogs thrown into the crowd each game, a $50 store card quiz, people selected from the top tier to get front row seats, prizes if you sat in certain seats, CD giveaways promoting future concerts, sticks and pucks from the three-stars for the kids etc. They work tirelessly to get the fans engaged and retained hoping that they will then come back - top work, and not a sign of Caroline!
4> Jumbotron - if you think the Sheffield arena scoreboards were good, then you should see this puppy. The main screen is similar, but it has working corner sections, and two ticker tape sections top and bottom that can work independently or as one entire unit. This is supported by three sets of screens around the arena at seating level - so when there's a goal you won't miss it.
5> Music choices - whilst I enjoyed the music, as it was mostly classic rock or organ ballpark pieces, it was noticeable that it didn't stir the crowd up much. Maybe that's a reflection on the Panthers fans, or maybe repeat playing of Joker and the Thief, Put Your Hands Up In The Air, Cotton Eye Joe, The Game etc. does actually work and Dows does know what he's doing!
One final thing was how keen the stewards were to help you and show an interest in any random questions you might have for them - that's the American way I guess, but I wonder if our gestapo might be better assuming the customer was right, rather than assuming they all needed watching because they were up to no good.
1> Panthers look like the real deal - 14 goals for and 4 against in three games tells its own story, but when they are giving significant ice to their first round picks from 2009-2014 (Kulikov, Bjugstad, Gudbranson, Huberdeau, Barkov & Ekblad) and also have all-stars like Jagr and Luongo then that's a mix that might get them some banners for their building.
2> Coaching legends - on the opposition benches we got to see both Joel Quenneville and Mike Babcock, who share various winningest active NHL records including best paid at $6m a year. Q has the easiest job for now, as Babcock's Leafs looked like they expected to lose midway through the second.
3> Giveaways - they filled every free moment with fan giveaways - we must have seen fifty T-shirts & forty hot-dogs thrown into the crowd each game, a $50 store card quiz, people selected from the top tier to get front row seats, prizes if you sat in certain seats, CD giveaways promoting future concerts, sticks and pucks from the three-stars for the kids etc. They work tirelessly to get the fans engaged and retained hoping that they will then come back - top work, and not a sign of Caroline!
4> Jumbotron - if you think the Sheffield arena scoreboards were good, then you should see this puppy. The main screen is similar, but it has working corner sections, and two ticker tape sections top and bottom that can work independently or as one entire unit. This is supported by three sets of screens around the arena at seating level - so when there's a goal you won't miss it.
5> Music choices - whilst I enjoyed the music, as it was mostly classic rock or organ ballpark pieces, it was noticeable that it didn't stir the crowd up much. Maybe that's a reflection on the Panthers fans, or maybe repeat playing of Joker and the Thief, Put Your Hands Up In The Air, Cotton Eye Joe, The Game etc. does actually work and Dows does know what he's doing!
One final thing was how keen the stewards were to help you and show an interest in any random questions you might have for them - that's the American way I guess, but I wonder if our gestapo might be better assuming the customer was right, rather than assuming they all needed watching because they were up to no good.
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1 comment:
Did you not see any rats on the ice? That is a story in its self.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_trick
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