I took my first trip to a Missouri Mavericks game this week and got a good look at their new home, their product and their fans. Some notes from that night.
- 4,400 fans showed up on a frigid
I took my first trip to a Missouri Mavericks game this week and got a good look at their new home, their product and their fans. Some notes from that night.
Cliffy
Thanks, Greg. Been wondering about this.
How about concessions … beer prices … etc.?
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GH: Concessions are higher than I expected for minor league hockey. My large Diet Pepsi was $5.00 and my bag of Kettle Korn was $5. I hit Wendy’s (just down the street) on the way in for our burgers. The concession stands are very well staffed, though, much better than the weird transients that The K rolls out each homestand.
Yo Boy
Moms swearing, kids nodding…funny stuff.
But hey, it is Independence,MO. after all.
Uncle Dick
Wendys? You missed out on the Meth Burgers, they were only $2 each, and after 7 or 8 the action really did speed up in the third period. Fucking kids were lucky Mom was out on parole.
rick
Don’t know why maybe just because its something different. But this is one of my favorite blogs. Felt like I was there. Plus I learned Holly is not that 10 at a distance but 7 up close. She’s just a 10 cool. I’m all for nice people.
bschloz
Good post…Any fights? Isn’t that what hockey is all about. Greg I just have 2 scales…above 5 and below 5…… go through life happy.
Uncle Dick that is some cruel stuff…funny though. You need to send your “Kareem Of Wheat” idea to Lawrence t-shirt guy…thats gold.
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GH: No fights. I was glad to see that this league isn’t just a goon league with fights twice a period just to draw fans. Not that the fans weren’t wanting to see some blood. Each time players even crossed sticks the crowd was screaming for the gloves to come off. They probably hold off on the fisticuffs for the weekend card.
Jason
“large bellied patrons”. Glad you saw me.
MandDShagger
Go more often Greg. There are lots of fights. Hell, on opening night when the puck dropped for the face off there was a fight. Be careful with your lexicon. When you say you “hit” Wendy’s, that means you robbed it in Indy talk. Lots of chicks, MILF’s and desperate housewives lookin’ for love on the weekends. Same vibe the Comets had when they rolled into town. Although the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom in Independence isn’t lipstick, it’s herpes.
JAM
I don’t live in Independence or Johnson County (it took me a while to figure out what Indy meant).
I haven’t been to a game yet – but want to go. Sounds like a lot of fun. I don’t care for the negative comments regarding the area. If you Johnson County folk ever visited the area you’d realize that it is nothing like you think it is.
I’m sure meth is just as popular in Johnson County as it is in Independence.
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GH: They may have done this arena a disservice naming it for the town in which it resides. As JAM states, the area where the Indy sits is much more reminiscent of South Leawood than Independence Ave. On the other hand, maybe the Indy, the Bass Pro Shop and all the new retail around them will upgrade Independence’s image from Meth & Death to Ice & Nice.
Uncle Dick
Only in Olathe and Merriam, in the rest of the county it’s prescription drugs or cheap scotch.
Yeah, ManD, except in Independence, the dog and disease of preference is rottweilers and venerial warts, a sort of a poor woman’s built-in French tickler.
smartman
Greg, you really need to get your stereotypes sorted out. Independence and Independence Avenue have never been in the same genre of lifestyles and life forms. You’re really showing your Waspy Whiteness. If you wanna grab a 40, an 8-Ball and a Glock sometime I’ll give you the metro stereotype tour.
TRich (No not that one)
Going to the game Saturday night with some buddies. Got our tickets on Tuesday and they were already out of the $12 and $18 tickets. You are absolutely right that the tickets are too high across the board for the seats, but it is a really good time. I sat in the $12 seats with my son for a game and they weren’t bad seats at all. Playing Wichita again on Saturday, which is the team I saw them play on Thanksgiving weekend. Three fights that night and they dislike each other more now. Gonna be a ton of fights. Can’t wait.
Brian
The product is outstanding and the venue could not be more perfect for this type of hockey. The arena is incredibly intimate and can get pretty loud if the game dictates.
The team isn’t half bad for being an expansion team, either. They’re tied for the last playoff spot with Tulsa, who they play on friday. Big games this weekend as the season ends on March 13.
MandDShagger
The Mavericks are a great value. Just like the T-Bones. The facility is always well staffed and attentive to any needs. Like I said earlier it’s the same vibe as when the Comets were the HOT TICKET in Kansas City.
rick
Comets. Oh the days. They were the bomb!! And call me nuts but I miss indoor soccer. When the Attack won the championship I ran onto the field. I’ll never forget the fat cop chasing me and never catching me. Wes Wade and those guys. A local kid from Leavenworth. Jon Parry. Great stuff. How I cry out for pro basketball. I went to the KC Stars first game and it was the bomb to bad it didn’t last long. heck I would even like a women pro basketball team. O>P use to have professional volleyball. Lord, please give us something other then the Royals
Daniel J. Doughty
I have to agree with you about the team name, colors and logo. It’s something that could be so easily fixed and yet they’re stubbornly sticking to it.
Anita
I think parts of your article were correct, but parts were completely wrong. I understand that you were only giving an ‘opinion’, so I am going to give mine.
I think if you had taken time to talk with any of the fans in attendance you would find that a majority of them do know the players names and jersey numbers. Of course, I feel I should also note that the visiting teams name was the Mississippi RiverKings- not Rivermen- so maybe a bit more research would lend this article more credibility. If you had asked around, you would also know that the Mavericks and RiverKings are not as prone to the fisticuffs during their matchups (as compared to other teams the Mavericks play). The Mavericks may not be NHL but they have some amazing players- and the fans recognize this. Sure, we cheer because they are the home team. But we also cheer because we have players like Karl Sellan (who recently had a hat trick), or Jeff Christian (our top scorer), or Brent Hammond (who is amazing at creating opportunities for the team to score), or either of our Goalies- Festa or Effinger. I could go on and give you things to look for with each of the players on our team- but you seem to ready to dismiss the skill/ability that they possess, simply because they are not NHL.
You also did not like the team Mascot, logo or colors. But if you look around the CHL you will see that there are turtles, crawdads, and jackelopes as mascots- so I don’t think a Missouri Foxtrotter was a bad choice in comparison. That’s not to say it won’t change in the future.
You also didn’t really mention the staff/ management- and how supportive and attentive they are to fan needs/questions/comments. From what I have seen this season, they have done an amazing job and take a very pro-active approach to how things are done. I don’t know of anyone who has complained about the cost of tickets- although I am sure they are out there. Personally, I feel you get your money’s worth. It is a friendly, safe environment. Its clean, well maintained, well staffed and I think well worth the money!
Oh- and you completely confused me on the ‘Indy’ terminology at first. I think most people refer to it as the IEC.
And lastly- you mentioned ‘large bellied patrons’ but completely left out the anorexic looking patrons. Fair is fair- and seriously- nobody should be singled out based on appearances. One thing I have noticed about the Mavericks fans is that they are very big-hearted and dedicated to this team. For many fans- the Mavericks are like their extended family- they would gladly welcome them and their families into their homes and hearts. They get upset when favorite players get traded- but openly accept the new players as they arrive.
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GH: Anita, thanks for the RiverKings fix. Glad you got a chance to add your two cents on the Mavs.
smartman
Anita, you are so turning me on! Chicks that dig hockey…Aycarumba!
rick
I mistyped, I meant to say that I learned Holly IS a “10” up close.