What do PLAYERS think of the X???

[ghshockeyfan]

I'm just curious as to if any athletes that PLAYED in the X would want to tell us what they thought of the building, the experieince, the atmosphere, etc. <p></p><i></i>

[ilovehockey007]

what can i say other than the X was AMAZING. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> i was seriously upset when it was announced the tourney was going to be at the X, but the second I walked in there, it all changed. The locker rooms were simply mindblowing, along with the bauer room provided for all the athletes. also, being able to sit on the bench prior to the next day's game got all the jitters out. the staff whom we all met at some point were so nice and encouraging. simply, an unforgetable experience. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[maroonhockey]

I have to totally agree with ilovehockey007, it was just a great place to play hockey, our team had the visiting locker room of visting NHL teams, it was like a hotel room, playing in the XCEL was fantastic, I believe our team had the greatest fans, it was one of the best experiences of my life, and I can't imagine having one player who played in this tournament disagree with the above statement. The staff was great, and we were treated great. I can't imagine playing anywhere else for the girls state tournament, and as for the picture of empty seats in the Friday's Star Tribune, what a joke, they took the picture 25 minutes before the 11:00 O'clock even started, and blocked out half the CR crowd by the scoreboard, talk about manipulation, anyway it was a totally awesome experience! <p></p><i></i>

[imaplayer]

I totaly agree... We wern't in the super fancy locker rooms, but the one we were in was still unbeleivably nice.<br> and talk about getting spoiled, that Bauer player room was so nice, with all the free tape, skate sharpenings, snacks and gatorade you want...not to mention the x-box 360 and bubble hockey.<br> Despite the fact that there were quite a few empty seats, it was still really loud and intense. The fans were right there and not at all distant from the players (which may be a bad thing for the home team, because the away fans were right behind us)<br> that instant replay/ goal reveiw didn't quite work for some teams as they had hoped... oh well...still an unforgettable experience. <p></p><i></i>

[hockeydad]

I talked to several NP players after Friday's game and Saturday's, and every one of them said they were glad the tourney made the move to the X <p></p><i></i>

[mama05]

i thought it was amazing!!! i don't know if rhidder would've necessarily been able to support that many fans, and i think it attracted more people...i know it got our team really fired up and it felt cool to be the first girls hockey team ever to skate at the xcel energy center... <p></p><i></i>

[ghshockeyfan]

If you played in the first game of the day, your team was one of two to skate in the first State Tourney Girls game at the X. I believe that there were 3 prior games played there - 1 in 2003 or so for the Schwan Cup Championship, and two St. Paul City games back in 2001 & 2...<br><br>The players seem to really like the venue... <p></p><i></i>

[hubbaa]

ghs,<br><br>you could ask that question to any pro, college, high school or mite player that ever played there and your answer is going to be the same. It is a great place, one of the best in the world to play. now if you could take out 10,000 seats the atmosphere would match the ice, locker rooms, etc....... i guess when something is offered free in this high priced, elitist sport we have to take it, even if it still means the non-elitist still can't enjoy to play there. <p></p><i></i>

[ghshockeyfan]

Agreed! <p></p><i></i>