As for bringing friends to the game, I invite people every time we go. Sometimes people can make it, other times they can’t. But most of them don’t understand hockey except to cheer when the puck goes in the right net. They come for the energy and excitement and atmosphere. I have never felt so much energy in the atmosphere at any other sporting event than in the GEC/Sommet Center. I love the sport, I love the Preds, I love the energy. That’s what keeps me coming back!

As for the lug-nuts guy, instead of sneering at him, rub the back of your neck to make it a little red and kick back and enjoy with him. One of the things I love about Preds fans is that you can turn around and talk to anyone in the arena. 90% of the time, after just a few minutes, you’ll be talking like you’ve known each other for years! Even if the redneck behind you isn’t educated in hockey, talk and befriend him and teach him hockey!

I have to admit that there are days that I am tired and wish the game was away (I get up at 3:45am). BUT, every time I get to the game and the new jumbo screens start pumping video (not commercials of course) of highlights, I get pumped up and have a blast. The Preds even have their own song for them “I like it I love it” (even a remake from the ORIGINAL artist) after each goal. Last year during the other recent massacre (7 – 2 against Buffalo) I sat in a section that was about 70%Buffalo fans. It really sucked for the spanking and fans around me until I overheard a fan sitting next to me say something. He was complimenting Nashville fans on their creativity for their chants and the experiences for the games here. It really made me appreciate what we have here in GNashville.

As for getting fans to the games; the biggest reason I hear people say they would like to go to a game, but don’t come to the games because they don’t understand it. Pretty lame excuse. If someone takes the time to learn the basics of a game/sport and still doesn’t care for it I can accept that. But to not like a game for the lack of understanding it is plain stupid.

I’d just rather have someone sitting next to me enjoying the hockey game, rather than an empty seat.

I’m with you though Jeff. I’ll admit that a lot of Nashville has a lot to learn about hockey. I can bet that a lot of people watching LA Galaxy games now that Becks is out there don’t know much about soccer, but that’s ok.

The Preds were here for 6 years before i “discovered” them and got into hockey.

Not to mention, some people just don’t bother to learn as much ’cause they just aren’t that into it. They just want an excuse to yell, drink a beer, and hang with friends. That’s why it’s entertainment.

I appreciate people who take hockey very seriously. I do myself much of the time. But i can also have respect for those with a more casual interest.

I like hockey enough to want to share it. I don’t want to keep it some exclusive club that is only played in places where the temp stays below freezing long enough to form a rink.

but…if they leave they leave. i would hate it, but i probably would find something else and move on.

with that said…it pains me to read someone’s close-minded, jugemental, and hockey-holier-than-thou comments on the state of nashville hockey and its fans. so what if some guy is at his 1st or 2nd game. he paid for his ticket and for that he gets to sit next to me. that is what this is all about…increasing attendence, increase excitement, and increase interest and the knowledge and “etiquette” thing will come.

I would much rather have the new guy sitting next to me spilling his beer and screaming for the Preds, or even the opposing team for that matter, than some hockey snob there for “the experience”, because he LOVES hockey. some people are just meant to watch from home and don’t get the live thing, i guess. or maybe some people have just gotten to use too CENTER ICE and “enjoying” a “hockey expert” sharing with them thru a box, than a real person to their left or right.

*burp*,*fart* i love hockey, i love the preds, but wish some people would not take themselves and hockey so seriously.

With that being said, I have to say I am not impressed with the new ownership, at all. I have seen hardly any marketing for the team. I still dont see anything on TV for them, and I listen to the radio to and from work, dont recall hearing anything about the team. I also dont think they will hit the attendence mark they need, either of them. The support for this team by the city and people that live in it, is disapointing at best. That is my honest opinion.

Its really tough for me, I love hockey. I have the NHL Center Ice pack at home and watch at least 1 game EVERY night. Lately I can not get excited to go to my Preds games, the way they do the game (announcing, music, hype up music & vids) is poor. And the fans, dont get me started on the fans. I thought the other night the guy behind me was going to yell “I’d give my left 2 lug nuts to see sumpin like dat”. The lack of game knowledge and misunderstanding of the rules of the game by “most” fans gets a bit too much.

sigh I love hockey, but not the Preds, so torn.

I’d do more if I could, but living in Chattanooga keeps me tied to weekend games only. We do have flex pack tickets for every Saturday game this season and the final home game on a Tuesday!

Following (and despite) the rally, I think we all underestimated the huge blow to community morale that last May and June were. I don’t think we’ve really begun to recover from that until recently as the new ownership group has begun working to repair the damage.