Calling all fans

As we assemble this season’s Times Lightning season preview, we’re asking for your help. For this year’s edition, we’re assembling our own “Best of the Lightning game-night experience” and we’re asking you the fans to submit your preferences on the following game night experiences.

What’s the best seat in the house?

What’s the must-have concession?

What’s the best value?

Where’s the best parking spot (given value, availability and proximity)?

What’s the best pre-game activity?

Where’s the best post-game hangout spot?

Where’s the best place to grap an autograph?

What’s your favorite promotion?

Who is your favorite Lightning player?

What’s the best part of the Lightning game experience?

What about the Lightning game experience might need work?

Send your thoughts to eencina@sptimes.com. Thanks for your participation.

Comments

[Gary B.]

Best pre-game activity: standing alonging boards watching warm-up.

Must-have concession: Dippin Dots

Best seat: Ice Box (between benches)

Best spot: Players' parking lot

Best post-game hangout: Shots

Autograph: Outside players' parking lot

Promotion: One-million-dollar birthday and time clock game

Player: The Three Muskateers (Vinny, Marty, Brad)

Best experience: Thrill and excitement of the game

Improvement: Fan interaction

What’s the best seat in the house? My season tickets were row L (12 rows up) to the left of the net the Lightning attacked 1st and 3rd. Great because it's far up enough to see over the boards on the other end, but awesome when you want in your face action for 2 periods!

What’s the must-have concession? DIPPIN DOTS!

What’s the best value? I used to say ticket prices, but now definitly the free programs

Where’s the best parking spot (given value, availability and proximity)?
Any parking garage that you walk a bit for...Like right beyond Dave Andreychuk's

What’s the best pre-game activity? Get painted and dressed up!! I'm sick of people going to Lightning games like it's a theatre experience. DYE YOUR HAIR BLUE AND WHITE! BUY A JERSEY! PAINT LIGHTNING BOLTS ON YOUR FACE! MAKE SIGNS! SCREAM!! GET INTENSE!!!

Where’s the best post-game hangout spot? Behind the forum where the players drive away, most of them are nice enough to sign stuff every night!

Where’s the best place to grap an autograph? Above answer

What’s your favorite promotion? Posters

Who is your favorite Lightning player? Martin St.louis, or Brad Lukowich, SOO happy that guy is back, definitly the nicest guy on the team, signs autographs every friggin night and is really into the fans

What’s the best part of the Lightning game experience? The goal horn, by far the best in the NHL, I've brought friends to games who have never been before and they nearly have heart attacks!

What about the Lightning game experience might need work?
The fans input. If there's a way to reward people for painting faces, making signs, crazy hair, SOMETHING!! During the cup run, I was still maybe one of 20 people I would see throughout the night with hardcore face paint and hair dye. You go to a game in Canada, and it's like Halloween!

-shane

What’s the best seat in the house? Any

What’s the must-have concession? Anything with beer. I don't mind paying a lot for the stuff as long as they give me a lot in return

What’s the best value?
The beer, read above. Wish they would do for us at the Meadowlands

Where’s the best parking spot (given value, availability and proximity)?
I'm cool with $10 anywhere as long as someone's got an eye on my car.

What’s the best pre-game activity?
Test your shot contests... with beer

Where’s the best post-game hangout spot?
Newks

Where’s the best place to grap an autograph?
Behind where the buses take off from.

What’s your favorite promotion?
Military Appreciation

Who is your favorite Lightning player?
Vinny LeCavalier

What’s the best part of the Lightning game experience?
Even if the Bolts lose 10-0, as long as the foods good, the crowd's stays excited and the music isn't generic, the whole package!

What about the Lightning game experience might need work?
The fact that the players look like they go out of the way not to acknowledge fans when we stand and cheer. I know it's the whole "stay focused" thing, but c'mon, smile a little at us for supporting you guys! Let us know you hear us!

[Jim]

What’s the best seat in the house? Any

What’s the must-have concession? Anything with beer. I don't mind paying a lot for the stuff as long as they give me a lot in return

What’s the best value?
The beer, read above. Wish they would do for us at the Meadowlands

Where’s the best parking spot (given value, availability and proximity)?
I'm cool with $10 anywhere as long as someone's got an eye on my car.

What’s the best pre-game activity?
Test your shot contests... with beer

Where’s the best post-game hangout spot?
Newks

Where’s the best place to grap an autograph?
Behind where the buses take off from.

What’s your favorite promotion?
Military Appreciation

Who is your favorite Lightning player?
Vinny LeCavalier

What’s the best part of the Lightning game experience?
Even if the Bolts lose 10-0, as long as the foods good, the crowd's stays excited and the music isn't generic, the whole package!

What about the Lightning game experience might need work?
The fact that the players look like they go out of the way not to acknowledge fans when we stand and cheer. I know it's the whole "stay focused" thing, but c'mon, smile a little at us for supporting you guys! Let us know you hear us!

Remember back in the day when ESPN finally televised the Bolts and they had fire shoot up from the corners of the rink? that HAS to be an everyday thing! Wow, I was at that game and it made Medieval times look like a ripoff.

[mbab]

beer and peanuts...like alot of you guys....I don't get out much with kids and all......marty is the man....he is the straw that stirs the drink.....vinnie or brad, who ever gets him on his line should take him out for steak after every game...i could get 30 points if i played on his
line.....and dippin dots??? I tried them once....they reminded me of the cough medicine i took when i was a kid....tell me you are kidding about dippin dots!!!!

What’s the best seat in the house? any

What’s the must-have concession? philly cheesesteak or outback

Where’s the best parking spot (given value, availability and proximity)?
5 bucks under the expressway by the con-agra grain depot

What’s the best pre-game activity?
The 2 Gentleman that perform both US and Canada National athems. makes me wish we played a Candian team more often.

Where’s the best place to grap an autograph? practice in Brandon

What’s your favorite promotion? military recognition

Who is your favorite Lightning player?
whoever is in Goal :)

What’s the best part of the Lightning game experience?
the game itself.

What about the Lightning game experience might need work?
turn down the volume on the music before and during the game, it would be nice to talk to the person sitting next to me.
teach the cheer team to move around to different sections, and dare I say, different levels for give aways and items thrown out to crowd.

[Nan]

Best seat in the house: Jeep level side

Must have concession: Beverages

Best value: When they offer 50% off on tickets.

Best parking spot: Anywhere you can park for under $10

Best pregame activity: Watching the teams warmup

Best post game hangout: Newks

Favorite promotion: Goals/assista scored by Vinny or Brad donate money to charity.

Favorite Lightning player: Tie between Vinny and Marty.

Best part of the experience: Just love the whole thing. The Lightning organization put on a great show!

Improvement: Better music and not as loud before the games.

[Patty]

Best Seat: I have two locations. I have a 10-pack in the 3rd level, Row A - this is great for a panoramic view of the ice and the unfolding of plays. I have a 20-pack right next to the Lightning players' tunnel - wonderful for watching the interaction of the players, coaches etc.
Best Concession: don't really have one.
Best Value: even though I don't often take advantage of it, I will sometimes buy a seat in the 3rd level (waaaayy up there)-the sightlines are still pretty good and the seats are very cheap.
Parking: anything for $5
Pre-game activity: watching the players warm up
Post-game: Shots
Autographs: Don't really hang around for them.
Best Promotion: bobble-heads.
Fav Player: I tend to like underdogs,so I'll go with Holmqvist here.
Game experience: just being at the SPTF: I just love the atmosphere when it's a packed house and we have just scored (especially if St. Louis scored cuz then they play the "Louie, Louie" song.)
Needs work: turn down the pre-game and intermission volume.

[bolts canucks fan]

Best Seat: lower bowl seat close to the ice behind either goalie. Get to see the view of the ice from player's perspective. Saw Jersey and Pittsburgh from these seats. Awesome!

Best Consession: one that doesn't have a long line. I usually drink soda, not beer, so I'm in and out. Hate to miss any icetime whatsoever.

Best Value: Buying single tickets from a scalper. I don't know how those guys make money. I usually go to games by myself and getting a cheap single ticket is pretty easy to do. In BC, much different story. Those guys are shrewd and give no price breaks. But in Tampa, a smaller market team, you can get a great value by going alone. And that is what I do when I am in town...

Best Value:Mentioned above...

Parking: Anything for $5

Pre Game Activity: Love watching the pregame warmups, but usually wait until before puck drops to get a good deal from desperate scalpers.

Post Game: Either getting the heck out of there or sometimes I wait for autographs with some guys I know who are really into that stuff.

Autographs: Players leaving the parking lot. Don't get your expectations up for the big names, but usually guys like Tarnasky and Denis will sign.

Best Promotion: Having the player's wives selling signed memorabilia for chosen charities. I talked to Nolan Pratt's wife about junior hockey and boy, does she really know her stuff. Cool lady as well. Didn't get the change to talk Taylor's and St. Louis' spouses, but sure they are great people as well.

Favorite Player: Martin St. Louis. Just a fun player to watch and one that has overcome more obstacles to be a star in the NHL than anyone else on the team. Great guy on and off the ice, a guy you are proud to say he plays for your favorite team.

Best Part of The Experience: On the most part, going to Tampa games are more lower key than going to Canucks games. It's just so intense up in Canada, something it's nice to just watch a game without dealing with the sometimes fanbase drama. They get so into it and I'm not saying that Tampa fans are complacient, but in Tampa, you can either go crazy for your team or just watch the game and keep to yourself. I love the atmosphere up there in BC, but it is really different and sometimes it takes a lot more energy to deal with it, especially playoff time. I prefer Tampa and going to games in my hometown. Cheaper too!

Needs Work: Game presentation and the goofy, predictable promotions. Just change it up a bit for the fans who go on a consistent basis. The new scoreboard will be great and sure that will open things up in the display department. Everything else is cool, but please get rid of the fake snow machine as you leave the stadium. Beyond corny! Also, it would be nice to end the "Lets play hockey" before the puck drops. That's really getting old.

Thanks for reading and GO BOLTS and BUCS as well. Ruud, you are THE MAN!!!

[Tim A]

What’s the best seat in the house? Anywhere right down on the ice where you can appreciate the speed of the game.
What’s the must-have concession? Bud Select...the big cans!
What’s the best value? The game, try to get a ticket anywhere else in the league and see what it cost you!

Where’s the best parking spot (given value, availability and proximity)?
If I told you, you would be mad and I would be out of a great place to park!
What’s the best pre-game activity? Getting some wings at Andruchucks

Where’s the best post-game hangout spot? Channel Side!

Where’s the best place to grab an autograph? I leave that job to the kids!

What’s your favorite promotion?
Any Promotion, they usually have great giveaways.

Who is your favorite Lightning player?
Brad Richards, Vinny Lecavlier, Marty St.Louis in that order.

What’s the best part of the Lightning game experience? Seeing the crowd get off their dead a@# and cheer for a change.

What part of the Lightning game experience might need work? I think they need to play more demeaning music when the visiting team hits the ice in warm ups, they should play the Blues Brothers', Rubber Biscuit! Hidy what a poomy what a chipawabba...bow bow bow!

[Mike13]

I sent my answers in to Eduardo, but I'll post them here too...

What’s the best seat in the house? Lower Center. These are a little expensive, but they are the best seats in the house.

What’s the must-have concession? A beer and a hot dog. The same applies to any sporting event.

What’s the best value? Not sure. I guess the ticket prices remaining relatively the same despite the team payroll escalating.

Where’s the best parking spot (given value, availability and proximity)? In the dirt lots under the Crosstown. It's a short walk and doesn't cost a lot. It's a bit painful to get out of after the game, but it's really easy to hop back onto the Selmon.

What’s the best pre-game activity? A beer and chicken wings at "Chuck chuck's". Either that or watching the warm-up skate.

Where’s the best post-game hangout spot? I'd don't really hang out afterwards. I just head home to get the kids to bed. :-(

Where’s the best place to grap an autograph? I don't really try. I don't want to get in the kids' way.

What’s your favorite promotion? Bobble-heads!!!

Who is your favorite Lightning player? Brad Richards

What’s the best part of the Lightning game experience? Being able to jump up and cheer at the top of my lungs when the horn goes off!

What about the Lightning game experience might need work? Don't ever, ever cut off "The Hockey Song". That's really irritating. The intro video could use quite a bit of work too.

What’s the best seat in the house? For excitement, 1st row center behind the benches. For view of the game and comfort, 1st row center on plaza level.

What’s the must-have concession? Deviled crab.

Where’s the best parking spot (given value, availability and proximity)? I'm not giving away my secrets :)

What’s the best pre-game activity? Usually spend pre-game driving up from Bradenton.

Where’s the best post-game hangout spot? Andreychuk's

Where’s the best place to grab an autograph? By the player's parking lot.

What’s your favorite promotion? Million $ birthday.

Who is your favorite Lightning player? That's like picking a favorite child. I will narrow it to Vinny, Marty, Holmqvist, Roy, or Tarnasky.

What’s the best part of the Lightning game experience? Goals!!

What about the Lightning game experience might need work? Two things would make a huge improvement. TURN DOWN MUSIC DURING INTERMISSIONS. I get a sore throat from screaming to the person sitting next to me just to have a conversation. The other thing - bring back movie clips like they used at the Thunder Dome. For example, the Animal House clip when we were losing etc. I can think of a lot of great clips for different situations that would be funny or get the crowd pumped up. Also, make fun of the opposing team more.

[JB]

Go back to the original jerseys. Theese new ones are embarassing.