The fall season is truly upon us know. When looking out towards the mountains it is like gazing upon a colorful ocean of red, yellow, and orange leaves. The weather is becoming colder, as morning air develops a nice crisp to give you that jolt of energy; energy that I am lacking every time I get up for my 8am classes. This is my favorite season of the year, fall. The beautiful weather is not the only reason that I was feeling extra chipper this past week, it was because it is now officially HOCKEY SEASON!
Ever since I was little when my Dad, my dad would take me to the Syracuse Crunch Ice Hockey games. At first I had no interest in the games-I would usually fall asleep- but as time passed, an appreciation for the sport began to grow within me. The games were weren’t just about watching hockey, they were about appreciating the athleticism on the ice, spending time in good company, and taking the time to relax and enjoy the moment. Hockey games became a tradition for my father, brother, and I.
Source: OnwardState
My Dad came to visit this past weekend, and it also happened to be the opening weekend for the Penn State Ice Hockey team. It was an absolute must that we go to the game. The tickets are very much affordable to the broke college student budget. The tickets get higher in price depending on if you want box seating, but there is no bad seat in the house. To help put a numerical value to the general price of the tickets, the seats that were still available at the October 26th game ranged from $3-$31 per ticket. I sat in section 110-row K with my dad and had a perfect view of the game from right behind the team bench.
Source: Penn State Athletics
After having seen many hockey games in my life, there is one thing that truly set this Penn State ice hockey game apart from the rest: the fan section. Most people just associate the Penn State fan section with the football games, but the fan section is not exclusive. Any sporting event you go to at Penn State, an enthusiastic student crowd is sure to follow. I recognized some of the cheers and was able to join in and teach my dad a few, but several of them were new to me. My favorite cheer and celebration of the night was one that involved some dancing that resembled moves from the Macarena dance. It is a surreal experience to witness so many people supporting their team and dancing in unison. It creates a uplifting ambiance that allows the spectators to enjoy themselves and the game.
The student section wasn’t the only thing that solidified an amazing game experience for me because a game isn’t complete without three things. My dad taught me early on that a good ice hockey game has three crucial requirements: a goal, a broken stick, and a fight. I usually do not condone violence but I can appreciate a little tension build up amidst all the hard efforts being given on the ice. The hockey game I went to had it all. The Nittany lions played the yellow jackets of American International College. After a tough fought and close game the lions suffered a 4-6 defeat, but it was still an amazing night.
Ice Hockey in “Hockey Valley” is an experience, one that even someone who knows nothing about hockey can enjoy. There are over 15 more home games this season all at the Pegula Ice Arena. With 5,704 seats there are plenty opportunities to come and see what makes Penn State ice hockey so unique and special for yourself. Resources:
PSU Athletics, PSCEU, Highmark, gopsusports.com/index.aspx.
Tickets On Sale, www.ticketsonsale.com/sports/penn-state-nittany-lions-mens-hockey?gclid=CjwKCAjwnOipBhBQEiwACyGLurQLMFSkZrLsZmFH2c-BisDC3FyyxDk-yKHJInzMhEXMTBfLHLkmwhoCguQQAvD_BwE.