If you have ever had the pleasure to attended a professional https://www.theodysseyonline.com/in-site-on-what-hockey-sister-life-is-like hockey game, no matter what level, It is an experience like no other, especially NHL games. The physicality and speed of the game is intensified by about 80% from watching it on TV to in person, which is an entirely different level that no words can really express that feeling. Just as you are enjoying the game in person, there are anywhere from 1,000 to 20,000 other fans, just like you who are extremely engrossed in the play of the game.

Within arenas worldwide, there is an unspoken fan etiquette among attendees. There are some small differences in each city and different barns. (Barn is a hockey lingo word for arena) In general, though, the etiquette is the same.Some of the "rules" are just common sense and common courtesy that you should just know, but believe me, there are many fans who do not obey by them. So to ensure that you enjoy the game and do not interfere with the enjoyment of the game for others and cause a brawl in the stands, here are some rules to follow that will make you look like a seasoned veteran rather than an idiot.

Warmups:

1. You don't have to sit in your seat for warmups. Period. In most barns, especially NHL, fans will arrive early for warmups and go down by the glass by where their team warms up at. Even if you don't go down my glass, this is the time to go to the bathroom before the game starts, get drinks/ food unless you want to wait for the massively long lines in between periods.

2. If a puck goes over the glass, give it to a little kid. Many players will throw pucks into the stands during warm-ups for fans. Usually, they are meant for the little kids. Usually, it is often the little kids first game or close to it, and getting a puck from one of the players would give them so much joy and happiness. So please don't be that means ole mister or lady who steals the puck from a little kid.

3. Don't flinch and scream when the puck hits the glass. Don't worry, the glass almost never breaks. Players will try to mess with you if they see you aren't playing attention by shooting at the glass at you, or more often than not, their shot is just way off target.

Proper Attire: AKA JERSEY FOULS

Violating the unwritten code in committing a jersey foul indicates you aren't a seasoned veteran.

1. Only wear a jersey if that team is actually playing. NHL only. If the Red Wings were playing the Blackhawks, it would be considered a jersey foul to wear a Boston Bruins jersey. People will give you odd looks and wondering why you are wearing it, and if you can to the wrong game. If you wear another team jersey that isn't playing but the person of that jersey is, then that is okay.

2. Most jerseys of past players are acceptable. For most past players, it's okay to wear their jerseys especially in semi-pro games. Popular players, goon players, or fan favorites are okay. But if the guy was a total duster, left team on bad terms, or was a let down, it's almost always frowned upon.

While The Game Is Going On

1. IMPORTANT! WAIT FOR A STOPPAGE TO LEAVE/ LEAVE YOUR SEAT! If you can take away anything from this, take this. You block the view for nearly your entire section if you leave your seat while the play is going on. You have to make everyone get up out of their seat to get through the row and it is considered rude. If someone is entering/leaving your row, stand up so they can walk by easier. Most barns do not allow you to go down to your seat until a stoppage, but few still find away to get past the ushers.

2. Do not yell "SHOOT". One, they can't hear you. Two, you cannot see the angles that the player is seeing. The players know what they should do with the puck; after all, it is their job. There is a team in the ECHL that their fans are known for this, and sadly I am from there. So please next time you go to a game, don't yell shoot.

3. Don't bang on the glass: You aren't going to scare any of the players or even get their attention, unless you are an absolute rocket. Let's be honest. Banging on the glass is just considered annoying and disrespectful to the viewers around you.

4. Cheer when an injured player gets up. This rule applies to any players on the ice, your team or the opponent. These players are laying their bodies to block shots, make plays, and score goals and also making sure they don't go in their net. Show some respect when they get up after being hurt.

5. ONLY talk about the game if you know what you are talking about. Analyzing the play on the ice is one of the biggest benefits of seeing a game in person. You see the entire ice, instead of what the TV camera allows you to see. If you don't know what you're talking about, don't try to act like you do, because people around you will know. When the referee makes a call on your team and you want to yell at the ref, make sure it was a bad call before yelling. Most often than not fans just yell at the ref because others who haven't viewed the rule book are.

6. It's not always the goalie's fault. Booing your own teams goalie when the opposing team score just makes others around you give you odd looks. Yes their are times when the goalies angle is completely off or they look like the are a fish out of water but most of the time they either couldn't see the puck because they were getting screened, It was a sick shot that there was nothing the goalie could do, the back door was completely opened, or it is just basically the goalie fighting alone while the defense is just lollygagging around.

Miscellaneous Other Rules

1. Respect the National Anthem(s) and remove your hat. Have some respect for your country and others. Stand up ( if able) and remove your hat. This applies to both American and Canadian anthems. Some barns remain silent doing the anthem, others like Blackhawks fans cheer throughout the anthem. Every team has their own unique thing they do, just make sure you know which one it is.

2.If you are going to heckle the opponents or refs, be creative about it. The "Hey you suck!" heckle gets old pretty fast. The players and fans have heard that thousands of times before. So don't be the thousandth and one to do it. Yelling and heckling is encouraged, but please make it interesting.

3. Respect who is around you, like children. Do not curse because more often than not there are little children around you. Think about what you are saying before you say it.

4. Don't be a fair-weather fan or leave the game early. No matter what the score is, stay for the whole game and support your team. It's crazy what can happen in the last two minutes of play in a hockey game.

5. Know the basic knowledge of hockey. Hockey there is three period. Not halves, not quarters. Periods. There is also only two intermissions not half time. There is three forwards, two defensemen, and one goalie on the ice unless there are penalties called. Do not call a goaltender and goalkeeper, this isn't soccer people. The are two linesmen and either one or two referees, depending on the league who wear the orange bands around their arm. Most hockey games, unless in playoffs, go into overtime then a shootout if tied.

Within each barn, there are other unwritten rules and traditions that apply to one fan base. The more games you go to, the more you will start to recognize those. But if you follow these basic rules that all seasoned veterans abide by, your hockey fan etiquette will be better better than most. And seasoned veterans, like myself and others will thank you!