Hockey x2! Kraken vs Ducks and Sharks at Climate Pledge Arena

Attended: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 and Saturday, November 30, 2024

No blurb - it’s a hockey game. 

Isaac and me at the Kraken v Sharks game

Event Summary

My partner Isaac plays hockey and is a big fan, so we decided to grab a last minute deal on tickets to attend the Kraken vs Ducks game the day before Thanksgiving. It was awesome, and we had a great time. Then, a hockey buddy of his offered us free tickets on Saturday, so we went again! It gave great perspective on what is a regular event throughout the year. 

This is an event review blog; I’m leaving any talk of hockey to the experts. As a venue, it’s an arena that you mostly walk down into, with only one level up for the seats furthest from the floor. People have said there is no bad seat in Climate Pledge Arena, and I would believe it. I scoped out most vantage points and I never felt like I would rather be watching at home. I’ve been to a fair number of professional hockey games at different arenas, and the Kraken put on a great show. They lean into the sea monster with an intro video and if you have the Kraken app you can be a part of the show with your cell phone: it turns the flashlight on and off to encompass the entire stadium. 

Most everything was pretty standard fare for a major league sporting event, with silly games during commercial breaks or ice cleaning and each period got another edition of the Kraken deep sea monster theme - I seriously love all of the sea imagery, instead of foam fingers, they have tentacles. And I saw many knitted Kraken hats with tentacles. This was true of both games, most people wore Kraken gear to show their support. I also want to give a shout out to Buoy, the Kraken mascot, which is this weird little troll and the announcer informed us his uncle is the Fremont Bridge Troll. 

Something I’m finding about Seattle is that they are really fantastic audiences. I have seen this in theatre, the Seattle Arts & Lecture series, dance performances, and now hockey. I can’t tell you how many Ducks games I went to with Isaac in Orange County, only to be annoyed by people who were loud and obnoxious about anything other than the game in front of them. I loved that the only obnoxious people around us (both times) were loudly commenting on the game in front of them. I’m not nearly as into hockey as others, but when everyone around you is paying attention and having a good time, it is infectious, and that makes a real difference to how an event feels.

For a large arena, the getting in and out process was relatively painless. We went in entry 8 both times. The first time we didn’t wait at all because we were early (it was bobblehead night and the first 10,000 entrants got an adorable Buoy bobblehead), and the second time we waited a bit but made it to our seats just as the pre-show video started. Exiting felt seamless, no bottlenecks and we could get outside without having to endure a crush of people. 

Isaac, me, and out new Buoy bobblehead at the Kraken v Ducks game

Ticketing: $85 through a special deal and then free thanks to Mike donating his season seats 

Attendance: I saw empty seats, but not very many! Crazy considering how pricey the tickets are. The stadium seats 17,151for hockey games. 

Personal Bias/Reason I went: I’m hoping that Isaac switches his allegiance to the Kraken, because they have a much better color palette. His team, the Ducks, just did a brand update and leaned into this horrible orange that makes the players look like construction workers on the ice. 

Transparency/Communication

We bought last minute tickets and then were given a pair, not applicable in this case. 

Event Goals

Well, the Kraken lost both games, which was likely not their goal, but they did complete both games. 

Reception

The Ducks game the Kraken fought hard and it just didn’t go their way; the Sharks game was an embarrassing display and people started leaving at the second intermission. 

Value

Given the size of the venue, it boggles the mind that the ticket prices are so high, but it is a good show. I could never justify a season ticket because of that, but at least I didn’t feel cheated.

Bottom line

If you get a chance to see a Kraken game, do it and have a great time. 

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Me watching the Ducks and Kraken warm up.