When I mentioned I was writing about hockey my husband shrieked, "You don't know anything about sports!" And while that may be partially true, I do know about having a good time. So if you are looking for some sports statistics or player bios you are looking at the wrong page. If you want to take the family out for old fashioned fun at a hockey game then please read on.
This is the San Francisco Bulls professional hockey inaugural season. For those of you that this would mean something to, they are an ECHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. The ECHL is the premier "AA" hockey league in North America. Enough of the sports drivel, let's get to the fun.
The Bulls play at the Cow Palace just 20 minutes from my San Mateo door to their door. Dennis McNamara, VP of Corporate Partnerships said it best " The Bulls play at the Wrigley Field of Hockey Barns". With easy parking, low ticket prices, and more than just a game to entertain, it's a bargain. Hockey is not new to the Cow Palace. The Seals, then Shamrocks, then Sharks have all called this ice home.
At the door you'll be greeted by the Cow Belles and maybe even Rawhide, the team mascot. The Belles are perky, pretty, and work their pucks off before and during the games. Greeting, clearing the ice, or leading the fans cheering on the team, they do their work with a smile.
Friday night games include Bingo cards to win free team shirts. There are dance cams that have children and adults alike hamming it up for the big screen. No that wasn't me doing the Chicken Dance, that was my twin. Yep. That's it, I have a twin. Kiss cams capture couples for the big screen, and the smile cam just gets everyone grinning. There are free team shirts shot into the stands, raffles, pre-game films on the big screen, and more.
My favorite is Chuck a Puck. For $5.00 you'll receive 6 numbered pucks (sort of a Nerf puck) to heave, bounce or ricochet on to the Bulls-eye put on center ice during the second period. You could win $150.00 - $350.00 or some team gear. For some reason this gets the entire place laughing. Hopefully not because I throw like a girl.
Give away nights seem to abound this first season with free T-Shirts, team tote bags, snow globes for the kids, and of course cow bells. Because every team needs more cow bell!
Then in between the fun there is actually a game! For those of you of a particular age, think Hanson Brothers meets the Boy Scouts. For the rest of you, it is pro hockey played at its' best with all its' own unique behaviors.
For $10.00 you can wish a friend or family member happy birthday on the scoreboard. Just give them a call.
The organization off the ice is hyper enthusiastic, without exception friendly, and goes out of their way to ensure you are happy. Whether it was picking my seats for a 12 game package to changing my tickets when my husband had emergency surgery they went out of their way to help. As a side note, going to a Bulls game is what he did two days after getting out of ICU. I thought he lived for me but turned out it was hockey!
We are spoiled by the choices of pro team events in the Bay Area. But for that small town feel and fun go grab a pair. Of tickets of course!
