Thread: Hello from Amherst, MA

Hi Kings fans,

Thanks for having me here. I will be honest with you guys upfront, I am not a Kings fan. That being said, I am not really a fan of any NHL team, as I don't follow North American pro-hockey too closely (just go to occasional Boston/Providence Bruins, Worcester Sharks or Springfield Falcons games). I am more of a college hockey guy. I also follow my hometown KHL team (Kazan Aq Bars).

I am a student at University of Massachusetts. Very glad to see Jon Quick, who led our team to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament in 2007 do well here in LA.

My sister lives in LA and I'll be coming to visit her in January. I will go to the Kings vs. Ducks game on 1/14 (and cheer on Jon Quick and the Kings.) Since I am unfamiliar with your arena, where can I post some questions Staples Center and the surroundings for you guys?

Again, thanks and appreciate your time!

Welcome! You can ask questions here.

Welcome. As for not being a Kings fan, you will be, but hockey is hockey! Don't buy your tickets from Ticketmaster. Either go on this site to Ticket Exchange or Stubhub.

With a name like bullmoose, I expexct an avatar lile this:

Welcome. I spent a lot of time around the corner from you in Springfield.

Thanks for the welcome, guys!

@mitchrock: that's actually partly where my nickname comes from, as TR is my favorite US President.

Now for the questions:

1) Is the 1/14 Ducks game expected to sell out? Right now I can see student-discount $12 tickets on ticket*****r in section 301 row 9, which is kind of surprising, so I am wondering if that's going to change as the game date approaches. I really don't want to pay the "convenience charges" and other fees and would rather just buy when I show up at the box office...

Reason I ask is that the Ducks are the closest NHL team to you geographically, you are in the same division, and I saw some posts on this board mocking them and their fans, so they may potentially be your arch-rival in the Boston/Montreal vein. But are they? Sorry, this must be a pretty dumb question and I apologize for my unfamiliarity with the California hockey scene...

2) Would you recommend spending extra $13 per student ticket to get seats in 200-level as opposed to the 300-level? How high up is the "Upper concourse"? Is it a big difference between 200 and 300? Do I even need to spend the extra cash: perhaps one can come downstairs from 300 to 200 if there are empty seats there?

3) How are the ushers at the Staples Center in allowing folks with tickets in 300-level to come and take some pictures during the pre-game warm-ups/skatearound from the seats near the glass?

Reason I ask is last time I visited LA (August 2008) I went to the Dodger Stadium and ushers there were very strict as far as checking ticketstubs and not allowing folks with tickets in the peanut gallery into the lower areas even for batting practice... First time I had such a problem at a professional sports venue...

4) Can anyone recommend a good place to grab a dinner and a beer or two (or three...) within walking distance of the Staples Center? Preferably something unique, not a chain.

Thanks for any and all help!

Welcome to the madness....

200 is a lot lower than 300 section. I prefer the fans in the 300 section. Ducks game is likely to sell out. Would buy sooner than later.

Pretty easy to go down low to watch pregame warmup. Shouldn't be a problem.

Lots of dining choices close by. I most recently ate at ESPN Zone across Olympic from Staples. Ate outside and watched fans walk to Staples.

You will be able to get down to Ice Level for the skate around/warm up no matter what ticket you have.

I prefer sitting in the lower level.

The Duck / King rivalry is nothing compared to the Bruins/ Habs or Rangers.

Yardhouse is a great lace to eat if you get there early enough. Sounds like you will be early since you want to see the warm ups.