Little Caesar’s Arena Revisited

Bella was out of town on a trip she’ll happily write about later so I decided I wanted to watch a Red Wings game in person. I did a little research and found that I could get a ticket from Ticketmaster for $38 all in. That sounded like a great Sunday evening to me. I also found that the arena allows cameras with lenses up to 80mm so I took my camera with me.

I found a place on the street on Park Avenue, about three blocks from the stadium. Parking is free on Sundays on the street. The lot across from where I parked was charing $20.

Park Avenue House

This isn’t my first trip to LCA. It isn’t even my first post about it, but this is the first with a real camera.

St. John’s Episcopal Church on Woodward

Whoever put that display of the Red Wings’ bench together did an awesome job. In person you can tell they’re not 3D, but in a photo they look pretty real. It has something to do with the lighting, I reckon.

The action statues of Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay had been at the old Joe Louis Arena for a long time and they’ve grown on me. The multiple sticks in shooting positions is a little strange to me.  I guess it’s like turning a gif into a statue. Also, look at the years of service for Gordie. He really did start his professional hockey career with the Wings in 1946 and did not retire from the professional level until 1980. The talent required to be able to play at that level for 34 years is insane. He even played on the same line as two of his sons. That’s why they call him Mr. Hockey.

I love how the new building incorporates things from the past, like the old Olympia sign. That was on the arena that housed the Wings during the 50s, before the Joe Louis Arena was built. Now that one is gone, too.

Of course there’s a little Motorcity flavor to sponsorships and decorations.

My cheap ticket was in the 200 section, which is up from street level.

I couldn’t find the section so I was directed up yet another level. When I got there I realized I was just below the organist who is featured prominently during games.

You can see how close we are to the ceiling from that angle. Those red lights over his shoulder are mounted in the ceiling and change colors to form the American flag during the anthem, for instance.

I’ve seen a number of games in this arena, but this is the farthest from the ice I’ve ever been. Even here, I could see the numbers on the players at least as far as center ice. A couple of times I caught myself watching the game on the big scoreboard, which I could essentially have done from home.

The game was fun, as always, despite the unfavorable outcome. The Wings are entertaining if not competitive yet. Maybe next year…

~ Freddy