AZ Vibe – The Ultimate Phoenix Entertainment Resource

ASU/U of A – The Battle of Arizona – Round 1 – FIGHT!

I found this game posted as an event on Facebook (by ASU forward Patrick Lind) a few days ago and I had to mark this on my calendar.  Not because I wanted to see if there was really hockey in the desert.  No, I wanted to attend this game based on the wall postings and the amount of people that were bypassing other parties and events like the FBR Open to come to this game.  From what people were posting, this had the makings of an intense rivalry game.  I mean they are playing the University of Arizona.

Now, I’ve been to a hockey game of just about every single level of professional and amateur hockey in my lifetime EXCEPT for NCAA hockey (this includes international competitions).  Sure I’ve seen the Frozen Four on TV but never in person.  I wasn’t able to locate a copy of the NCAA rule book to familiarize myself with the nuances of NCAA hockey.  However, I knew most of the differences between the rules of the NHL versus the NCAA (like all players wear helmets with face cages).

When I arrived in the arena the stands were already packed and the standing room only ’seating’ was just about full at the top of the arena.  Furthermore, as the Facebook invite stated, there were fans there who made the drive from the University of Arizona for the game and MAN were they LOUD.  However, the Sun Devil fans matched and beat those fans at every opportunity.

From the opening face-off U of A had the momentum and played their game.  For as dominant as they were, especially on the Power Play Unit, they could never translate that to goals on the score board.  The Sun Devils matched them toe to toe defensively, in hitting, and in goals. As the goals for both teams increased, so did the intensity in the game and was matched by the fans at every huge hit, near miss on goals and every score.

This was a pretty even battle across the board until things broke open in the third period and the defense of the University of Arizona Icecats (Icecats? Ok…) kept coughing up puck after puck which led to even and odd man rush breakaways.  Eventually, the Sun Devil’s got into a groove and made the….Icecats…pay for their mistakes by scoring three straight goals in a very short span of time.

The crowd, many of which were attending their first Sun Devil’s hockey game ever may have not known all the rules of the game but they did understand two things:

1) This was a rivalry game against the U of A

2) They knew what a goal was and knew exactly what to do when a goal was scored by ASU.  Cheer and SCREAM!

By the end of the game, tempers flared to the point where small scraps were started by both teams which was unusual but not a surprise to this reporter based on the hitting and trash talking during the game.  However, like all good sportsman both teams lined up and shook hands with one another followed by the entire ASU hockey team saluting all the ASU fans that came out and cheered them on.  Beleive me, the team fed off of the near capacity crowd on hand tonight.

I’ll say this, all the new fans that came to the game have got to be hooked on ASU Hockey.  Because,  after a game like this if they aren’t hooked, they more than likely don’t have a pulse and an undertaker should be called.

Everyone in the area needs to come out and see an ASU Hockey game before the season is over with!

For more information on ASU Hockey please refer to their website:

http://www.asu.edu/clubs/div2hockey/index.html

The Battle of Arizona – Round 1 – Winner – Arizona State University – 5- Icecats – 3

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Popularity: 23% [?]

That’s right, I spent my time today (and yesterday) at the 16th hole the loudest and most unique hole in all of golf.  Thanks to some friends yesterday, I had the ability to view the 16th hole from all angles starting with the Tee off shots in the VIP section to the general admission bleachers at the opposite end of the hole today.

For those of you who have never been to the FBR Open, the 16th hole is legendary for two reasons:

1) The hole is partially enclosed by bleachers FILLED with people most of them drunk and partially by VIP booths where corporations pay an arm and a leg to sit and watch the action at the hole.

2) This is one of the few known areas in the Golf universe that the ‘quiet’ when golfers are about to take their stroke is merely a suggestion.

The seating is literally right ON the hole and it gives fans to really feel like they are a part of the action and cheer on every golfer no matter how good or how bad their score is for the day.  Sitting in the general admission section is like being a part of a mix of a baseball game, a hockey game, and a kegger.

I’ve been to a TON of sporting events in my time (in the US and out of the country) and I have to admit that next to the World Cup (Soccer), sitting at the 16th hole among all the hardcore and temporary golf fans was one of the most fun and exciting experiences I’ve ever had the fortune to witness in my life.

I am beginning to see why the FBR is penciled in on everyone’s calendar months in advance and why this is one of the most unique experiences in all of golf.

If you make it out to the FBR Open, a stop at the 16th hole is a MUST!

Editors note: Regarding the ability to take pictures at the FBR Open and the Bird’s Nest, the matter was clarified by one of the on-site PGA media heads.  AZ Vibe was not granted the permission to take photos at the FBR Open.  We will not be publishing any of our FBR Open photos we have taken so far from the event and will not be taking or publishing photos for the duration of the event.  The PGA Media heads have been gracicous in that they will be sending us photos of some of the greatests parts of the FBR Open.  We sincerely appreciate the assistance the PGA and the FBR Open in the publishing of our articles.  We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Popularity: 6% [?]

The Battle of Arizona goes to a new level when the Arizona State Sun Devil’s square off against their cross-state rivals the University of Arizona Wildcats.  The puck drops Friday at 7:40 PM and Saturday at 5:40 PM.  Both games will be at the Alltel Ice Den in North Scottsdale.  Come and support the Sun Devil Hockey team as reports have it there will be lots of U of A fans making the trek to the arena.  Judging by the Facebook event invite there will be TONS of people there.  Get there early and don’t miss the hard hitting action of Sun Devil Hockey!

Tickets are:

$7 – Adults

$4 – ASU Students (Must have Valid ASU ID)

$5 – Children

$2 – Youth Hockey Players if wearing their game sweater

Can’t make it to the game?  Watch the game Live over the internet!

Click the link below and then select the ASU game:

http://www.ustream.tv/search/all/hockey

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.000454891883e556d379a&ll=33.639017,-111.880968&spn=0.003716,0.009087&z=17

Popularity: 1% [?]

Today is the first of many reports from the FBR Open.  We will be making periodic reports throughout the course of the entire Tournament.

I headed out to the Bird’s Nest tonight to check out what exactly it’s all about.  From what I’ve been reading on all the Facebook event invites floating around, I knew already that this was going to be a popular destination and there would be TONS of people there.  Tonight featured O.A.R as the main headliner.  The only thing that I’ve heard of them was samples of their songs on iTunes.  That’s about all.  Even from the clips I listened to I got the impression that I was in store for ‘Death Cab for Cutie – Part II’.

You all may know that ‘Death Cab for Cutie’ is a Seattle band who writes somewhat catchy pop songs but their major failure with ‘Death Cab for Cutie’ (as is with 99% of bands in this age of crap music) is that they don’t know how to do a live show at all.  I saw them at two stages of their careers.  At the beginning of their careers in Seattle and a coupe of years ago in San Diego.  Both times were horrid and both times they didn’t know the first thing about putting on a live show.

I try not to go into shows with pre-conceived notions about bands but let’s face it.  Putting on a live show for fans is a lost art.  Only local band Black Carl understands how to put on a KILLER live show.  Little did I know I would be adding another band to my small list of bands I would sell my mother to get tickets to go see.

As I entered the Bird’s Nest, I was quickly enveloped by a killer party atmosphere.  Food, drinks, even a hooka/cigar tent were among the many features of the public portion of the Bird’s Nest.  As I approached the main stage/party tent O.A.R was in full gear and kicking out the jams.  The more they played the more they not only visibly were having fun playing but they worked the crowd musically and vocally like experienced musicians should.

Then they added the one ingredient into a live show that has the potential for O.A.R. to gain new fans….they played cover songs that everyone knew and loved…and they played them well.  The one song in particular was a cover of the Beatles ‘With a little help from my friends’, but done in the 60’s Joe Cocker/Woodstock fashion.  That is how bands get bigger and gain a stronger following.

If you ever see O.A.R. come to town again, have the chance to watch their live footage on YouTube, or pick up one of their albums, DO IT!!  You will not be disappointed.  This is a band you need to go see!

I plan on hitting the Bird’s Nest a few more times as I want to see the crowds as the weekend is now here.

My only complaint about the evening (if you want to call it that) was not the festivities or the events that went on that night, it was the clear lack of communication between the security staff to allow the press to do their jobs.  I was able to take a few close up photos of the band but was not allowed to finish my job, even after I showed my press credentials.  It was clear to me that the Security staff was not experienced in handling concert events, nor were they experienced in assisting the press to do their jobs.  To make things better for next year hiring a music press consultant during the planning stages of next years events would help make coverage of future Bird’s Nest events a smoother expereince for all involved.

Other than that.  You all need to get off your butts and shake your booty at the Bird’s Nest before it’s gone.  As with any fun event, the more the people you bring, the more fun you will have!  This event will sell out this weekend so get your tickets NOW!!!

Popularity: 7% [?]

Today is the first of many reports from the FBR Open.  We will be making periodic reports throughout the course of the entire Tournament.

Well, I just got back from an impressive opening session from the current leader of the FBR Open, David Berganio, Jr. at -5 for the day (ED Note: His score has since been beaten by Australian James Nitties and American Lucas Glover atop the leaderboard).   I followed Mr. Berganio for a good eight holes or so watching each shot, each putt and I have to say this man is in a ZONE right now.  Nothing is phasing this man as he attacked and pretty much owned the course this morning/afternoon with a calm yet fierce attitude with each shot he took around the FBR Open.

The best way to describe his amazing play and concentration this morning would be taking Kevin Costner’s role as…wait for it…it’s not Tin Cup…Billy Chapel in the 1999 movie ‘For the Love of the Game’ (Click Link for more info).  In this movie Billy Chapel plays a pitcher who is (without giving up too much of the plot) pitching in Yankee Stadium near the end of his career.  Before he pitches each inning he utters the phrase ‘Clear the Mechanism’ which blocks out every sound and object around him except for the next task at hand.

The moment David Berganio, Jr. stepped on to the first hole this morning, his ‘mechanism’ was cleared and he proceeded to completely and utterly destroy the course like a conquering warrior beginning his claim on making the FBR Open his own.

If he keeps this pace up, he just might come out on top.

Stay Tuned!  Our Review of the Bird’s Nest comes tonight!

Popularity: 6% [?]

This was my first year at Barrett-Jackson and I can honestly say I didn’t know what to expect.  I had seem some of the past auctions on late night cable over the years. So I had a feel for what the general purpose of the auction was but I didn’t have a clue how big this event was nor did I know how much money changed hands over the course of the entire event.

I entered the massive Barret-Jackson grounds setup at (Westworld in Scottsdale, AZ) and walked through a bunch of Vendors and what I assumed sponsors of the event walking past some of the most expensive or amazing cars I’ve ever seen in my life.  I’ve never been a big car or auto racing fan up to this point in my life but the more I walked into the event the more my curiosity was slowly aroused as I was engrossed by all that the Barrett-Jackson auction had to offer.

Then it happened.

Slowly the smell of burning tires slowly wafted its way to my nose and drew me to its source like a couple of imaginary hands dragging my olfactory senses and curiosity outside.

When I discovered the source of the burning tires, I witnessed one of the few racing events that I absolutely love to watch in person.  Drift Racing.

(If you want to learn about Drift Racing there will be a link at the bottom of the article for the Drift Racing Wikipedia page.)

Ford Motors had a demonstration of Drift Racing where the public could enter their names for a chance to win a ride around the demonstration track.  They had two professional Drift racers take the lucky winners around the demonstration course a few times while the public watched.

I could have stayed and watched the drift racing for HOURS but I had more ground to cover.  I wanted to know why residents of the greater Phoenix Area were drawn to this event.

As I explored the grounds out side the auction house I was blown away by some of the amazing machinery available for sale.  From the early days of the internal combustion engine to a prototype Chevy Camaro to be auctioned off for charity to celebrity owned cars.  After looking over the amazing variety of cars that were to be auctioned off, I would think it would be difficult to find one person there who couldn’t find a car that they didn’t like.

Then it dawned on me.  The Barrett-Jackson auction isn’t just an auction.  The Barrett-Jackson auction is a sporting event.

Now I know what you’re probably thinking.  How can the Barrett-Jackson auction be considered a  sport?  There’s no scores, and there’s no teams.

True.

However, like all spectator sports, watching a given sport on TV isn’t the same as experiencing the event live, upfront and in person.  You have to experience the event in person to fully understand and appreciate the sport on a more personal and emotional level.

Barrett-Jackson auction contains all of the necessary ingredients or characteristics that all other spectator sports have:

1) There are large numbers of fans willing to pay top dollar to attend the event

2) People love the rush of the action of the events.

3) People can sign up for fantasy sports leagues

4) There are people who are very knowledgeable about all aspects of the event.

5) Celebrity Appearances at the event – the Celebrities I saw at the event either live or via video were Goldberg, Yvonne Craig, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace, Rick Hendrick, and Harrison Ford.

I could go on but you get the idea as both sporting events and the Barrett-Jackson auction share the same characteristics…

Anyways, I now see why people from the greater Phoenix area flocks to the Barrett-Jackson auction as it’s a place to get your sporting ‘fix’ as well as a place to see some great things and to be seen.

Barrett-Jackson Auction - Jan 11-18 2009

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Drift Racing Exhibition

For more information about Drift Racing, please refer to the Wikipedia page on the topic:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drifting_(motorsport)

Popularity: 4% [?]

RDS Sports Network out of Montreal, Canada has reported that their sources have told them that the Phoenix Coyotes will be hosting the next NHL All-Star Game at the Jobing.com Arena in 2011.  The NHL All-Star Game will not be held next year due to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

Popularity: 10% [?]

The Phoenix Coyotes are hosting an NHL All-Star game viewing party at Zipps on Camelback and Miller in Old Town Scottsdale.  The Coyotes Radio Play by Play announcers from XTRA Sports 910 will be on hand with prizes and promotional giveaways.

Don’t miss this opportunity to watch the NHL All-Star Game with your fellow hockey and Coyotes fans!!

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.0004612584776046389b5&ll=33.507371,-111.918883&spn=0.014814,0.02459&z=15

Popularity: 3% [?]

I was recently asked by Randi at Atlas Martial Arts in North Scottsdale to come and check out an evening event tentatively called ‘Kung Fu Happy Hour’.

Now I know what you are all thinking, “How can you have Kung Fu and booze at the same time?!?!”

Well, Kung Fu Happy Hour is not a traditional happy hour in the booze sense.  ‘Kung Fu Happy Hour’ is something that must be experienced as this event is designed to enlighten, enrich, and empower yourself through Kung Fu.  The more Kung Fu is practiced, the more your body becomes better able to take on the tasks of a given day.  In short, you and your body become….well…happy.

Went I went to these classes…er…Happy Hour, I went in with the notion that if I’m going to immerse myself I’m giving it my all and won’t quit.  I consider myself in pretty good shape but after an hour at Atlas, my body had areas I don’t think had been worked out since the Regan administration, or so it seemed.

I started the first evening and got a tour of Atlas from Randi and it was a very impressive, clean, empowering,  and very spiritual place conductive to learning.

Kung Fu students of all classes/levels train together in the same class and share the same which I really like as you can share experiences with one another.

The actual classes were different and are more of a ‘come when your schedule allows it’ format.

We started out the hour stretching and getting our bodies ready for what the class would offer ahead.

One of the problems with working online as I do is that the only thing that gets used or gets exercise all day is my brain.  The great thing about Kung Fu is that it works out every other part of your body so you get the full body workout in a day.  Two one hour sessions of Kung Fu gave my body more exercise than a week at the gym.

The other great thing why Kung Fu is better than working out at a gym is that you don’t get into any semblance of a workout routine that you get bored of or your body gets used to.  Every session that I went to worked out a different part of my body and worked it out good.

If you are looking for something that will help you not only get into shape but can give your body and mind a great workout in only an hour, ‘Kung Fu Happy Hour’ at Atlas Martial Arts is where you need to be!

For more information and directions, please refer to the Atlas Martial Arts website:

http://www.atlasmartialarts.com/

Popularity: 1% [?]

I want to tell you all about one of the newest and hottest entries to the live music scene.  Every Friday night, FUSE at the Bar Smith in Downtown Phoenix is the conglomeration of four very talented and hungry house/electronic wizards throwing down some of the coolest and infectious beats I’ve heard since I moved to the Valley of the Sun.  Even if you aren’t a house or electronic music fan, you must go and check out what a really cool addition to the Friday night music scene FUSE is.

Oh I forgot to mention….

FUSE takes place on the rooftop bar of Bar Smith.  Great beats in the outdoor bar of Bar Smith.  You can’t beat an event like this anywhere in the Greater Phoenix area.    No other place in the area can match not only the great music and atmosphere of Bar Smith.  Not only that but no other club in the area can match the outdoor setting of Bar Smith.

Now if you aren’t a big house or electronic fan, there is Hip-Hop and Dance music downstairs to shake your booty to.

Don’t miss your chance to see what is surely going to become a mainstay in the Phoenix Music Scene.

For more information and directions to Bar Smith please refer to their website:

http://www.barsmithphoenix.com/

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.000460e883d0c72606e16&ll=33.450994,-112.071769&spn=0.007663,0.019312&z=16

Popularity: 29% [?]

The Chandler Center for the Arts presents the debut performance of the ‘American Soul & Rock and Roll Choir’.  This group is comprised of nine of the best backup singers in the music industry. Come and see some of the most awe inspiring music you have seen or heard in a long time as they treat the classics with such power and passion that it is surely going to leave you wanting more.

Among the artists have sung with are:

Luther Vandross
Faith Hill
Mary J. Blige
The Rolling Stones
Mariah Careys
Patti Labelle
Dave Matthews Band
Celine Dion
Alicia Keys
Whitney Houston
Steely Dan
Elton John
Sting
Sheryl Crow
Lenny Kravitz
Beyonce
….and many more!

Don’t miss this chance to see probably the best touring group in the US! This is a rare chance to see some great musicians all on the same stage for one magical night!

For more information and to purchase surcharge free tickets, please refer to the Chandler Center for the Arts Website:

http://chandlercenter.org/home.html

For more information about the ‘American Soul & Rock and Roll Choir’, please refer to their website:

http://www.soulandrockandroll.com/

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.00045d5648e06951841c9&ll=33.307111,-111.841845&spn=0.000989,0.001497&z=19

Popularity: 2% [?]

This is just a quick note.  Every Thursday from 3 PM to 7 PM at Chandler Park (Map Below) is the Chandler Farmers Market.  Come see what great items can be purchases from this amazing market.

For More information please refer to this website:

http://www.downtownchandler.org/

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=33.304242,-111.842312&spn=0.003954,0.007886&z=17&msid=110117270783108833567.0004609a4e83a1ae62202

Popularity: 4% [?]

One of the best kept secrets in the Phoenix Music Scene is the CBJ Flamenco Ensemble performing every Sunday night at Kazimierz World Wine Bar. For a $5 cover charge you get to watch some of the coolest Flamenco music and dancing in the absolutely coolest setting you can imagine.  On top of that you have the option to sample some of the best wines and food in all of the greater Phoenix area.  If you’re looking for something new and fun to do on a Sunday night, Kazimierz is the place to be.

For more information….

CBJ Ensemble
http://www.chrisburtonjacome.com/cbjensemble

Kazimierz World Wine Bar
http://www.kazbar.net/

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.000460998ae1eeec66b7a&ll=33.501664,-111.925685&spn=0.007891,0.010836&z=16

Popularity: 7% [?]

If there’s a great event that should be posted on AZ Vibe it’s any Rocky Horror Picture Show that is going on in the greater Phoenix Area.  The wonderful folks at the Chandler Cinemas have got the Rocky Horror Picture show every Saturday night starting at 11:30 PM (Seating starts at 11:00 PM).  Admission is only $6.50.

If you haven’t ever been out to a Rocky Horror Picture Show, now is the time!  I guarantee that it will be an experience you will never forget!

More information can be found at the Chandler Cinemas Rocky Horror Website:

http://azrocky.com/index_files/Page2307.htm

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.00045dd87af818059aa96&ll=33.336715,-111.845911&spn=0.000941,0.001719&z=19

Popularity: 8% [?]

In the final installment of our look at attending a Phoenix Coyotes game (at the Westgate City Center and the Jobing.com Arena), we look at the goings on inside of the Jobing.com arena in advance of a Coyotes game.

Jobing.com Arena

The Jobing.com Arena is located at the 223 acre Westgate City Center in Glendale, Arizona. Quickly approaching its 5^th anniversary, Jobing.com Arena is a state of the art multi-use arena that is one of the premier multipurpose arenas in the nation.

Once inside the Jobing.com arena, one of the coolest features of the arena is that in the middle of the main concourse of the arena fans have the ability to view the action of a given game from the concourse on the main level. Not many other arenas in the United States offer this kind of up close look at the game experience.

View inside the main concourse of the Jobing.com Arena before a Coyotes game

The best way to equate this is to imagine what watching a game from the lower level concourses of Chase Field is like.  Just like watching an Arizona Diamondbacks game action up close and personal from the concourses, the builders of the Jobing.com arena incorporated the ability to have fans get unique perspective of the game experience so all fans can get a taste of what the up-close action like is at an NHL game. The views from this vantage point, make the Jobing.com arena unique from all of the other NHL arenas around North America. On top of that, the sight lines from every seat in the arena give fans excellent views of all of the game action.

View of the pre-game warm ups at Jobing.com Arena from the upper concourse a the south end of the arena

I personally have sat in or have seen games from numerous vantage points throughout the Jobing.com arena (including the Press Box) and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. All seats in the arena were designed to give fans the best views of the game action.

View of the pre-game warm ups at Jobing.com Arena from the upper concourse a center ice

Coyotes Pre-Game – Inside

The doors to the Jobing.com arena open up approximate one hour before game time. Once the doors open, one of the best things that fans can do is watch the Coyotes and their opponents warm up before the game. It’s a great time for fans of all ages to go down to ice level and watch their favorite Coyotes players getting ready for the game.

Fans watching the pre-game warm ups from ice level at Jobing.com Arena

One of the best things first time visitors can to do before the game is wander around the concourses of the Jobing.com arena to not only explore the arena but to take in some of the fun.

Food

One of the best things about eating at the Jobing.com arena is that there is LOTS of variety for food choices. From Pizza to wings to hot dogs, fans have a wide array of choices to satisfy any hungry appetite.

50/50 Raffles

50/50 Raffles are a tradition in all levels of hockey from the Minor Leagues to the National Hockey League. The Coyotes give charities or other organizations that need to raise funds (a good example would be youth Hockey teams) the opportunity to raise funds via the 50/50 raffle. How the 50/50 Raffles work is that fans pay $2 per raffle ticket. The money is then all collected and a raffle ticket is drawn. The winning raffle ticket is drawn and the winner gets 50% of the total amount collected from the game. The other 50% is split in half. One half goes to Coyotes Charities and the other half go to the organization that is trying to raise funds

Two of the many 50/50 raffle vendors wandering the arena

Mystery Pucks/Charity Table

The Mystery Puck sales are put on by Coyotes charities throughout the season. The Mystery Puck table is normally right inside the main entrance to Jobing.com arena and can be identified by the table full of pucks wrapped like Christmas presents.

For $20 (all money goes to Coyotes Charities) you can select any puck from the table. Every puck is autographed by a Coyotes player. However, there are Coyote player autographed pucks signed in gold pen. This means that in addition to the signed puck, they win an additional prize.

When I first got into the arena, there was a table setup with representatives from the Salvation Army looking for Volunteers to help them on Christmas morning feeding the needy. (Editor’s note: By the time I called to offer assistance all their volunteer slots were full).  To the left of the Salvation Army table was the Mystery Puck table (see photo below).

The Mystery Puck Table (Left, Back) along with the Salvation Army Table

Silent Auction

At every home game, again right by the main entrance of the Jobing.com arena, there is a table full of sports memorabilia from across all sports that are available for bidding through the third period.

Other offerings

During the first intermission, before the Zamboni’s came out and laid a fresh sheet of ice, two teams of Pee-wee hockey teams played a quick scrimmage on the entire ice surface.

The Mystery Puck Table (Left, Back) along with the Salvation Army Table

Fan Experiences – During one of the breaks in the action, members of ‘The Pack Entertainment Squad’ were launching T-shirts and other prizes to fans around the arena.

Fan Experiences – Wii shootout battles – This was a really cool addition to the game experience (as I’ve never seen this before the last game I went to) as there were two kids just off the concourse doing a NHL game shootout on a Nintendo Wii that was broadcast on the center ice video screen. The winner of the shootout got a prize from the Coyotes.

The Nintendo Wii Shootout battle in progress

Contests in between periods – In the second intermission there was a contest to see who could eat the most pizza amongst 4 contestants. It was pretty funny watching four high school to college aged guys stuff their faces in front of the Jobing.com crowd. The winner of this contest got a signed hockey stick

The Pizza eating contest, in progress

Closing

I could go on and on about how fun it is to go to a game but you have to experience a Coyotes game for yourself. Only when you attend a Coyotes game can you fully experience the fun, the action, the excitement of the fast pace of the game, of the hits, and when the Coyotes score a goal and win the game. Furthermore, the Westgate City Center, the City of Glendale and the Phoenix Coyotes have really done a world class job in giving fans  the best experience possible when attending a Coyotes game.

This is the perfect time to become not only an NHL fan but a Coyotes fan as they have finally turned the corner in their franchise and are beginning to display all the characteristics of a winning franchise. Furthermore, this is also the perfect time to become familiar with all the new faces on their roster as they are many of them are going to be with the team for a long time.

So get your family or friends together and plan an evening to the Jobing.com Arena and the Westgate City Center. Tickets to Coyotes games (see below) are extremely reasonable and they always have some sort of special or sale going on. If you have a large group, contact the Coyotes (Link below) and I’m sure they can set you up with a great package for you and your group.

Coyotes Tickets

Starting at $15, tickets for Coyotes games are very reasonable and are amongst the most affordable in the National Hockey League. According to the Coyotes, they have the following ticket packages available to fans:

All You Can Eat Pack

The All-You-Can-Eat Pack is available at all Saturday Coyotes home games. All-You-Can-Eat Packs include an upper-level game ticket and unlimited hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and fountain sodas for only $25.

Family Pack

The Family Pack is available for all Friday, Saturday and Sunday Coyotes home games. Family Packs include four game tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas starting at only $79.

XTRA Value Thursday Pack

The XTRA Value Thursday Pack is available at all Thursday Coyotes home games. XTRA Value Thursday Packs include a game ticket, hamburger and bottled beer or soda starting at just $30.

Student, Teacher and Military Rush

The Student, Teacher and Military Rush discount offer is available for all Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Coyotes home games. Specially-priced lower-level tickets in select areas will cost just $20 and upper-level tickets will be available for $10. Tickets must be purchased at the Jobing.com Arena Box Office beginning at 6 p.m. the day of the game and each must be accompanied by a valid school or military ID at the time of purchase.

For more information about the Phoenix Coyotes or to purchase tickets, please refer to their website:

http://coyotes.nhl.com

For more information about the Westgate City Center please refer to their website:

http://www.westgateaz.com

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