First Timer! But not a one timer!

by DropTheGloves on Dec 27, 2011 8:23 PM EST

I think it all started for me back in the day when I got a Super Nintendo for Christmas from my parents..

A long with that my grandfather I believe got me every sports game in the store that year..If my memory recalls he picked me up Super Bases Loaded, Bill Walsh College Football, NCAA Basketball..and most of all Stanley Cup Hockey. I was ultimately addicted to hockey at that point I do believe. The only problem, the closest venue to see any good hockey at that time was the UAH Chargers in Huntsville and I believe they were still club level at that time.. I remember going to my first game and walking away completely hooked. Since then Huntsville has brought in the Huntsville Havoc of the SPHL, formally the Huntsville Channel Cats of the SHL & CHL. When I was finally old enough to drive I was frequenting the games, usually somewhere around 20 or so games a year, never missed a local playoff game! I've been following the Predators for the past couple years when I can..Watching on Fox Sports & VS when I can pickup games here and there. I stumbled upon this blog a while back and I have been an on-looker for quiet a while, keeping up with the team and etc..and its the best Predators blog around, its kept up very nice! I would say our local hockey has been a big part of my life especially the past couple years, I met my girlfriend and future wife at a Huntsville Havoc game a while back..So at this point your probably wondering where I'm going with this right? Well Christmas was really good to me this year..My girlfriend, knowing the sports fan I am, and knowing that I love hockey, got me a Predators jersey and tickets to the January 7th game against Carolina! I was caught completely off-guard and really excited and surprised! This will be my first NHL game I've ever been to, and obviously my first Predators game, I absolutely cannot wait! With her out of college now and me finally in a job that gives me a good bit of time off we'll probably be logging a lot of frequent driver miles to see the Predators play. Nashville is only about an hour and half away from the Huntsville, Alabama area where we currently live..with that being said I was wondering if any of you all could give me some advice as to the best places to stay and possibly good restaurants in the Nashville area? It's been quiet a while since I've been to Nashville and look forward to making many trips to the games and being a part of this blog! Thanks for any help!

Drop

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First Welcome! The Havoc have had a fun time down there. Ive been to a few games when i was at UAH for two years. As far as where to eat its really about what you like

by Shadow23 on Dec 28, 2011 12:05 AM EST reply actions

There are a few hotels within walking distance of the arena; a Hilton is right across the street, and there’s a Hampton Inn just a couple of blocks away. Kinda nice to be able to walk back to your hotel. And I agree with Shadow: what kind of food do you like best? There are so many good choices, that knowing your preferences helps to narrow it down…

by LuvthePreds on Dec 28, 2011 12:10 AM EST reply actions

Welcome indeed!

i grew up in nashville but i have lived in a small town just north of the TN/AL stateline since 1990. i too was 1st introduced to hockey thru some old school nintendo games. one night a couple of friends and i decided to attend a UAH game, then a couple of weeks later we checked out a Channel Cats game and we were hooked for life. i remember you could sit on the glass for like $15 or $20. hard to beat that lol. When Nashville was awarded an NHL franchise, i was pretty fired up.. i only attended a handful of games in the 1st few seasons, but since the lock out i’ve been attending much more. about 3 years ago, my gf purchased 2 of the 20 game packs as my b-day gift and we’ve renewed them every year since. if you are ever interested in car-pooling,we are only about 30 min. from Huntsville, at the end of Winchester Rd.

we’ll also be at the Jan.7 game. i hope you guys have a great time! we sit on the 319/320 aisle. stop by and say hi if you are in the neighborhood. i’ll be the white guy in the Predators jersey. lol!

by robjustice on Dec 28, 2011 1:05 AM EST reply actions

Only will be another 150 white guys in jerseys in the vicinity! : D

by LuvthePreds on Dec 28, 2011 1:25 AM EST up reply actions

Awesome man! I'll be the white guy in a predators jersey in section 325!

I’ll definitely try to stop by and say hello, I’ve checked out the season ticket packages in the past but been a while, what do the 20 game packs generally run?

by DropTheGloves on Dec 28, 2011 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

I also live just above the TN/AL stateline...

…. in a small town…

although I think all the towns there are like this.

How can I be a human rocket ship without any rocket fuel?

by djzielin on Jan 3, 2012 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

what town do you live in?

by robjustice on Jan 5, 2012 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

As far as food goes anything except burgers..

my girlfriends only downfall..she does not like anything to do with hamburger or hamburger meat…..yeah i know..but hey she likes hockey! Just gimmie some of yalls favorites and we’ll try to check them all out each trip we make!

by DropTheGloves on Dec 28, 2011 9:14 AM EST reply actions

The Hilton SportsGrille on 5th across the street from Bridgestone is probably the best food for the money and they have an excellent bar as well. This is a can’t miss IMHO. usually my first choice if I can talk the guys (or my wife) out of Hooters.

The best bar in the area is The Flying Saucer near the Union Station Hotel off Broadway. It is a little pricey but they have the best beer selection, bar none, of anywhere I’ve ever been. Food is way above average for bar food as well but beer is the reason to go. It is about 5 blocks Westish…

by Marcus Newman on Dec 28, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Hey DTG,

Welcome!

I’m a non meat eater myself and I like to get away from Broadway and the crowds. One of my favorite places to hit before or after a game is Pucketts. It’s a couple of blocks away from the arena, but an easy walk and you get away from the crowd. They have a great selection of food and adult beverages. Also, some great live music from time to time, but that happens about everywhere in Nashville.

Pucketts

Online 24/7 at
www.chas-e.net

by Chas-E on Dec 28, 2011 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

Puckett’s is great. Delish bbq, mac n cheese, and blackberry cobbler.

by LuvthePreds on Dec 28, 2011 11:58 PM EST up reply actions

(Now I’m hungry.)

by LuvthePreds on Dec 28, 2011 11:58 PM EST up reply actions

Mac N' Chese??.. Blackberry cobbblah??

Sold!! If salesman only knew that all you have to do to sell me is include mac n cheese, i’d own everything that was pitched to me.

by DropTheGloves on Dec 29, 2011 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

You and my daughter. She’s practically obsessed.

by LuvthePreds on Dec 29, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

I occasionally slide over to the local panera bread here in town

for lunch and order a large bowl extra cheesy! They have some of the best mac n’ cheese..especially polished off with a good sweet tea.

by DropTheGloves on Dec 29, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

Love Panera, especially the broccoli-cheddar soup.

by LuvthePreds on Dec 29, 2011 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

..you talked me into panera today..or was it myself?

not sure…but i’m going there.

by DropTheGloves on Dec 29, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions

Funny, I’m thinking that we should go to Puckett’s tonight…

by LuvthePreds on Dec 29, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

oops

We being my family.

by LuvthePreds on Dec 29, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

Nice to see another Havoc fan

I too got hooked on hockey playing video games when I was younger then attending as many Channel Cats games my family could afford on our trips to Huntsville from Florence. My wife and I moved to Huntsville out of college and are now hooked on Havoc hockey and have been season ticket holders for a couple of years now.

We also take as many trips as we can to see the Preds play and are going to be there on the 7th. Can’t beat $50 lower bowl tickets from the Black Friday sale! We always stay at the Holiday Inn Express on Broadway when we make it an over nighter. It’s reasonably priced and is only a few blocks from the arena. We’ve been to some epic games including a comeback against the Hawks from a 3 goal deficit and game 6 against Anaheim. Nothing beats that feeling as part of the Preds crowd on a wild night.

Hope you have as good of an experience as we have.

by RemoWilliams84 on Dec 29, 2011 12:55 PM EST reply actions