Front Row Seats at Nationwide Arena

Gretchen was a sport and we trooped to Columbus’s Nationwide Arena last night and had FRONT ROW seats!

Of course, with only 268 people attending the Blue Jackets vs. Black Hawks game I guess just about everyone had a front row seat.

And of course this wasn’t the “real” Blue Jackets or even the “real” Blackhawks. It was the United States Hockey League (USHL) entries from both organizations. The Ohio Junior Blue Jackets and the Waterloo, Iowa based Black Hawks.

The USHL is the nation’s top-level of amateur hockey in the United States. it is very similar to Delaware’s Cows. Players are not paid to their participation in the league and the “kids” are performing for a shot to play collegiate or NHL hockey. All of the players are 20 years old or younger and from the looks of it the officials were as well.

On Monday night, the Blue Jackets were facing long-shot odds taking on Eastern Division leading Black Hawks (26-11) while the Ohio squad was fifth in the six-team division with a 6-30 mark. And with the Black Hawks jumping to a quick 2-0 lead it didn’t look good for the home team. However, The Blue Jackets scored six unanswered goals and held on to win 6-4.

We had free tickets, thanks to an advertisement on Craig’s List and we paid $3 to park about five steps from the entry to Nationwide Arena. Three dollars for good hockey and the opportunity to roam Nationwide Arena.

If you take in a game, two things to keep in mind. First, less people are at the games, so dress warm! Second, while the ticket prices are a lot more affordable, the concession stands still operate at their “normal” Nationwide amounts. Hence, a popcorn and soda last night set us back $8.50. But if you still want to make a night of it, we’d suggest Ted’s Montana Grill located just across the street from Nationwide Arena. The wait at Ted’s on a normal game night is guaranteed to be long, but with only 268 people heading out to a Jr. Blue Jackets game, you are going to be able to get a seat and try some Bison.

It was a good night and would be a great place to take the kids to experience hockey.

“There is so much talent skating all around the U.S. and the world right now,” said USHL commissioner Gino Gasparini on the USHL Web site.. “And those athletes deserve the very best. They deserve to be trained for success, both on the ice and off. They deserve the chance to get that training in an exciting environment that will prepare them to succeed in unprecedented degrees at the next level. Tier I will help create that success. It will forge hockey’s future.”

And it appears to have be working in Columbus.

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