We had already scheduled today to be a lazy day so we didn’t feel too tired, but on the flight into LAX we flew over the SoFi Stadium which got us looking at sporting events.
Having looked at the available options and not wanting to go too far we booked tickets for the Anaheim Ducks Ice Hockey at the Honda Centre. This felt so fitting being at Disneyland and watching the Mighty Ducks.
When we booked the tickets we saw they were having a Day of the Dead celebration and the first 10,000 fans into the stadium got free Ducks ponchos – we were both lucky enough to get one. Getting to Honda Centre was so easy, we parked in the multi-storey next door so it was an easy walk to get to the entrance.
Before they opened the stadium doors they had an area with food, drinks, merch and music outside, the atmosphere was electric. We had a wander round this area while waiting for the doors to open, once they opened we had a look at the small merch area just inside and Beans got a hockey jersey.
Our seats were quite high up, but the way the centre is built you had a brilliant view, which looked to be the case wherever you got a seat, it was tiered well so even with people sitting in front of you it didn’t obscure your view of the ice.
When the Ducks players and the New Jersey Devils players entered the ice the stadium came alive.
The fast pace, the skill and the excitement from the ice really got the crowd going, Let’s Go Ducks was a very common chant.
After the first period a Mariachi band came onto the ice and played, which was great to listen to, there were also Mariachi dancers scattered around the stadium. Everyone sung and danced along, lucky fans got to ride the Zamboni machines during the breaks to clear the ice.
Final score 4-1 to the Ducks, as soon as the whistle was blown the crowd erupted. Compared to a hockey game I saw in Canada many years ago this game was very tame, only one small fight, and no-one getting pushed hard against the walls.
After a stop in the Ducks store we headed back to the car and back to the hotel. Definitely one of the best 3 hours I’ve had in my life.
TTFN, Titch