Greiss: Pens arena ‘pretty dead’

[JTG]

“It was fun to play (here), especially coming from Pittsburgh,” he said to Islanders Insights. “It’s pretty dead there.”

Part of the problem may be that the Penguins have priced out the average fan. The average ticket price at Consol Energy Center last season was $73.59, a more than 100% increase over the last 10 years. (Graphic courtesy Statista.)

Interesting to actually have an ex-player come out and say something about the atmosphere at Consol. There are many factors playing into the decreasing sound. One was touched on in the article, but I really do believe that the new building eats up sound, and doesn't resonate it. There's nothing we can really do about that though.

http://www.pittsburghsportingnews.com/greiss-pens-arena-pretty-dead/28239

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[Black Label]

Pens fans have been saying this for awhile. Games are full of corporate people and casual fans that just come to the game because it's something to do. When I've gone to games I've noticed that most of the fans that I sit near really aren't very big hockey fans.

 

[#66]

Its been that way since the early 90's. The score can be 2-1 and people will still leave with 5 mins left.

The Pens seem to flat line a lot too. They need a Max or Stu Barnes type to give the team and building some buzz. Sure it would be great to get a nasty team again but at least bring in some energy.

 

[Cherpak]

Never been to the CEC but all I ever read is about how sterile it is and that it absorbs sound. Doesn't sound like a very fun place to watch a hockey game.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Not sure what it is, but I'm extremely quiet when I go to games at the CEC. However, when I go to Erie Otters home games my friends and I are fairly boisterous. Could be alcohol consumption, I suppose.

 

[#66]

Never been to the CEC but all I ever read is about how sterile it is and that it absorbs sound. Doesn't sound like a very fun place to watch a hockey game.

IMO the CEC is pretty damn awesome... its the fans. Plus this team doesn't buzz. The third and 4th line make you yawn.

 

[MrBurghundy]

IMO the CEC is pretty damn awesome... its the fans. Plus this team doesn't buzz. The third and 4th line make you yawn.

And more often than not, the team goes through extended lulls in play. When something good happens, people get loud. The team just doesn't give them much to cheer for a lot of the time.

 

[Boocock]

“It’s pretty dead there.”

For you, oh ye of little saves.

 

[Cherpak]

IMO the CEC is pretty damn awesome... its the fans. Plus this team doesn't buzz. The third and 4th line make you yawn.

We have at team down here in Pensacola called the "Ice Flyers" they play in the "Hangar". Its a theme since the its the home of the Blue Angels. Its the only hockey I get to go and see live thats nearby. Its has a great atmosphere for being so far in the South. They even chant 'Lets go Flyers"! As you can guess I just can't bring myself to utter those words.

 

[cajal]

The excitement of a first-year arena will help crowd response. The Isles fans will have a thread a few years from now saying how they yearn for the return of Nassau and how loud it was.

 

[mpp9]

It's a spectator event more than an experience. Ill yell out "move your feet, 14". And a woman with her 10 year old will give me a mean look. I only go now if my friend gets me in for free. Not worth the money.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

A grand total of zero people should be surprised by this.

 

[SEALBound]

“It’s pretty dead there.â€

For you, oh ye of little saves.

 

[Cherpak]

The excitement of a first-year arena will help crowd response. The Isles fans will have a thread a few years from now saying how they yearn for the return of Nassau and how loud it was.

They are already complaining about sight lines, and from the pics I have seen I can't say I blame them.

 

[tom_servo]

We all meet up to smoke weed before the game, and everyone's too paranoid to get crazy. Been a habit since the 90s.

 

[mynameisnick4]

They have definitely hit the ceiling on the ticket prices. You are lucky to get face value for tickets now. Just look at ticket exchange, pretty much all of the upper bowl tickets are set at or below face value.

 

[Zen Arcade]

We all meet up to smoke weed before the game, and everyone's too paranoid to get crazy. Been a habit since the 90s.

If we cheer at the wrong time they'll know. THEY'LL KNOW!

 

[Winger for Hire]

And I think they try to compensate for the lack of atmosphere by playing all music between whistles at ear bleed levels.

 

[Jacob]

It's just not something Penguins fans have ever been known for. I'm pretty stoic at games too. I'll cheer for goals and give an audible shout for big hits or key saves but I don't go nuts. I'm an adult.

 

[Verbeek]

Between the horrible anthem and ungodly slow play I could see why... Nah- that crowd has been dead for years. It was probably dead even when I was a mini-version of myself but I was too little to realize the decay.

Wooooooo!

 

[ColePens]

Now old players are starting to talk ****. Pens last 6 years couldn't get worse.

 

[Zen Arcade]

It's just not something Penguins fans have ever been known for. I'm pretty stoic at games too. I'll cheer for goals and give an audible shout for big hits or key saves but I don't go nuts. I'm an adult.

Same here, I'm there to watch the game, not make a spectacle of myself.

 

[SEALBound]

Against Toronto I will be center ice, row 7 behind the benches. I will not be quiet. Too rare of an occasion.

 

[mynameisnick4]

It's just not something Penguins fans have ever been known for. I'm pretty stoic at games too. I'll cheer for goals and give an audible shout for big hits or key saves but I don't go nuts. I'm an adult.

I'm the same way. Most of the time I'm focused on the game watching the play develop to the point where I don't say much. When something big/exciting happens (like you said, big save, goals, great pk effort, etc) I'll cheer. I don't get randomly loud for no reason.

Our seats last year were in front of two HORRIBLY annoying and loud older ladies that would scream with the most obnoxious voices at the stupidest times. If you are in the end that they shoot twice you will have for sure heard them at some point. I've heard them scream while they were cleaning the ice several times. The entire section hates them and it actually made us move our seats for this season because it was that bad.

 

[Verbeek]

Same here, I'm there to watch the game, not make a spectacle of myself.

You wanna be quiet? Fine. Don't impose your wishes on other people in a pessimistic and annoying manner. HERE'S TALKING TO YOU, SECTION 214.