Top Reasons To Attend A Florida Panthers Game
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The Florida Panthers are a team on the rise. Building a consistent winning team isn't something that happens overnight and the Panthers, led by general manager Dale Tallon, have been laying the foundation to what should be a perennial playoff team for the next several years. The transition from being a struggling franchise to one that fans can be proud of has taken a big step in the right direction this season.
Currently, Florida sits two points back of the Boston Bruins who are holding the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The two teams will play each other three times over the final 11 games of the season, with two of those contests taking place in Sunrise. It's an exciting time to be a Panthers fan and things are only going to get better in the coming years.
It's a well-known fact that South Florida sports fans generally don't show up for home games of teams that aren't winning. Considering that the Panthers have only made the playoffs one time since the year 2000, it's understandable why their attendance numbers have struggled. That being said, times they are a-changin'. This is the time when fans should start to take notice of what the Panthers are doing and jump back on the bandwagon that has had plenty of empty seats over the last decade-plus. To make things easier, here are the top reasons to attend a Florida Panthers game.
Good On-Ice Product
As the Panthers young core continues to improve, the team is getting better and more exciting to watch. Seeing these kids grow and mature in front of your eyes is a fun and unique experience. Florida is loaded with young talent, both with their forwards and defenseman. Players like Jonathan Huberdeau, Nick Bjugstad, Aaron Ekblad, Vincent Trocheck, Aleksander Barkov and Jimmy Hayes, just to name a few (and there are several more), are developing into true stars in the NHL and its truly a treat to watch them progress. Combine that with Roberto Luongo, one of the absolute best goaltenders in the league, and it's easy to see why the Panthers are starting to turn some heads and get the attention of teams across North America.
The BB&T Center Is A Great Arena
Panthers fans are very lucky to have their team playing in one of the better buildings in the league, and that's coming from someone who has been to over half of the arenas in the NHL. The BB&T Center is truly a beautiful venue and it's a very fan-friendly place to watch a hockey game. First off, there isn't a bad seat in the house. No matter where you sit, the sightlines are great and you won't miss any of the action. The hallways and corridors are wide and there are plenty of bathrooms and food options all over the place (we'll get to the food shortly). Technology wise, the BB&T Center has taken some big steps in recent years. They added a giant HD scoreboard that hovers above the ice in addition to the LED wraparound display systems that are attached to each level inside the seating area. It's a very cool place (pun intended) to watch hockey.
Plenty Of Food And Drink Options
A growing trend in venues across the country is providing fans with a bevy of food and drink options to enjoy during games. At Panthers games fans can enjoy lots of great options available in each of the food courts, with local specialty dishes to go along with the traditional arena food. There are also three restaurants located in the club and suite levels, the Miami Brewing Co. Beer Garden that has plenty of different beer options, a Cruzan Islands Rum Bar, an area called the Sky Bar that is an all-inclusive gameday experience where you don't have to miss any of the game while getting your food, and the list goes on and on.
Hockey Is Great In Person
I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say that despite not being a hockey fan, they had a great time seeing a game in person. There is something about going to a hockey game that just makes it exponentially better than watching on TV. The sounds of hearing the puck hit the sticks, the players yelling at each other, the celebration explosion that comes with every goal and the general atmosphere of the fans makes hockey one of the best sports to watch live. It's something that everyone should try at least one time, but there's a good chance that once you've been you'll want to go back.
Winter Clothes!
Living in South Florida, the opportunities to wear your winter clothes are few and far between. Obviously it gets a little chilly at an ice hockey game so you'll want to dress accordingly. Instead of breaking out your favorite hoodies, sweaters and scarfs for just a couple weeks a year, you can wear them from October to April at Panthers games.
Jump On The Bandwagon Early
As previously mentioned, South Florida loves a winning team. When the Panthers went on their playoff run in 2012 the arena was packed and the atmosphere was electric. When LeBron James and the Heat were going to four straight NBA Finals there wasn't an empty seat in the house. The Panthers are a team that is recognized throughout the league as one that is going to be very good once its young core develops. That process is happening right now and it's evident in the successful season that Florida is having. As the team continues to get better the wins will come more and more frequently, and you can have a front row seat to watching the next great NHL team grow into something truly special.
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