UT San Diego - At 7:02 p.m. Saturday, Bruce Binkowski, one of the leading voices of San Diego sports, approached a podium set up on the ice of the Valley View Casino Center.
He paused, took the microphone. And then, with six words that boomed throughout the arena, he announced very simply what was on everyone’s mind.
“Hockey is back in San Diego,” Binkowski said, and the sellout crowd erupted.
Yes, after months — no, years — of waiting, of expectation, the newest incarnation of the San Diego Gulls opened their season on Saturday night against the Grand Rapids Griffins, and won, 4-2.
I purchased full season tickets to this show for so many reasons and I can flat out tell you it is easily my best buy of my life. Nothing made too much sense at the game and I was on my toes the second entered the parking lot to the second I left that dump.
It was basically the Super Bowl of people watching throughout the pre game festivities. ALL walks off life having a good old time down at the shitty Sports Arena. The scene amongst the fans will undoubtedly be the best part of this experience moving forward throughout the season.
The promotion schedule is simply outrageous. It's simple a bunch of 2 dollar beers night with a sneaky night called "Bar Olympics" which could be the end of minor league hockey in San Diego. The people that will show for these nights are my kind of people.
P.S. The Sports Arena might be the most perfect venue for a minor league sport. Its old, shitty, and absolutely perfect for the scene for hockey in a beach community in SoCal.
The Ice broke literally before they dropped the puck which led to one of several delays. Absolutely perfect timing because minor sports are supposed to be a bit of a disaster and the Ice definitely stole the show. Very quickly into the game it became VERY apparent that the technology in the area might not be up to par because the ice started melting and it turned into a fog. They made the players take breaks and skate in circles to help clear the fog. I was loving every second of the show. I couldn't stop clapping and laughing.
The Goalie (Gibson) was pissed about the fact his net poles were clearly not properly drilled. Easily the best player on the ice and also my favorite because he gave off the vibe off "Why the fuck am I playing hockey in a melting rink in San Diego" the whole game and I couldn't get enough of it. Love that he is probably an asshole. Need those assholes in this town.
The Tailgate scene was a disaster and that's exactly how it should be. I almost ran over at least 13 children running around the parking lot when I entered. It was a lawless scene with no stadium employees to be found anywhere.
Also the Gulls tweeting out 2 dollar beer tailgate and then charging 5 bucks was a business move that I sneaky respect. The tailgate bartenders workers called me soft for only ordering 2 beers and I like that peer pressure. No regards for my safety and just won't me lit to yell at some hockey players from some random AHL town. Grand Rapids Michigan hockey Griffins got all they could handle from this Masshole.
P.S. There is like a club/lounge for Full season ticket holder that me and a buddy hit up for every intermission and the scene got weirder/drunker every period. Big plus in my book.
P.P.S. Pray for the AHL team from Bakersfield because they're coming to town on Friday and its 2 dollar beer night. They should be happy to get out alive with all their stuff IMO.
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