Poll: Leaving early during a Panthers loss

never walked out no matter how bad it was or annoyed I was.. surprised so many people have even if it is ‘rare’

Only game(s) I can remember walking out of early were Gator football games when it was 104* and they play the Western Kentucky’s of the world and its 42-3 in the 3rd quarter and my tailgate buzz was wearing off… does that count? Maybe a Marlins game way back in the day when my dad decided there was still time to get 9 holes in before dark if we left in time (plus there were 81 home games for the Marlins, not nearly the lack of supply, lol)

As far as Panther games, I always stayed when I had the choice but that’s because I didn’t get to that many a season so I enjoyed every minute I could. But I certainly don’t begrudge anyone leaving a game like last night. You never know what their situation is, and if I change the channel to watch Smash another game instead of the end of a 6-2 beatdown, I certainly can’t blame anyone for leaving early.

I thought about leaving early last night, but my reasons had little to do with the play on the ice and everything to do with the “game presentation”. The PA system, normally too loud in our section to begin with, was extraordinarily loud. Here’s a hint to the clowns running the show – when the play on the ice is not exciting, adding volume DOES NOT HELP.

There were other annoying things going on, but that was the main one for me.

I left early once – in 2006 – when the Isles were winning in the third. Listened to the FLA comeback and eventual victory from the parking lot. Learned my lesson.

I want the full 60 minutes out of my seats, no matter how much it costs me. I hardly make it to 2 NHL games a year anymore, so I soak it in no matter the outcome. Plus that, you still get to see the little things players do during a total meltdown.

For a team as historically bad as FLA, I wouldnt suggest people are bad fans for walking out after a game like last nights.

People who walk out on an awesome team, say NYR for getting beat down by CHI, thats a different story. People who leave before an inevitable win…dont even get me started!

I was forced to leave a game against the Bruins last season. My amigos (who drove) were so annoyed the Cats were down with 10 minutes left in the 3rd. I can’t even remember the score, but my dude friend was not impressed. First, last, and only time I have ever left a game early. Especially after the Devils game early this season, I always sort of believe our boys can pull it off.

Frankly, I couldn’t care less about leaving a game early. I mostly stay the whole game because I car pool with someone (and can’t leave without them) and I usually stay after the game for a post-game tailgate. I admit, if it wasn’t for those reasons, I would change my answer.

I only left a game very early (end of first period) once when my wife called me to say that my daughter had fallen and might have broken her arm.

One other time, about 3 or 4 years ago the Panthers were playing the F’n Devils and we were down 2 goals with 4 minutes left. Because I was with my 7 year old daughter I told her “it’s the freaking Devils, they are going to boor their way to the win, let’s go!” I had decided we would head out early, halfway down the escalator from the 400 level I hear the goal horn go off. I said to my girl “I don’t believe in miracles, but lets grab a seat.” So we sneak into 134 and grab a pair of seats just in time to see David Booth pop in a rebound with our goalie pulled to tie the score" We did end up losing that game in OT but i vowed that I would NEVER leave a game early again. You never know when you will see a players first goal, or a crazy bounce , or even a fight , so I would never leave early. Never again!

Never walked out. Not until the 3 stars are anounced.

I have left games early but it never had anything to do with the score. My job involves me being on call from time to time and when I get that call the old “sorry, I’m at a hockey game” just doesn’t fly.

I think one of my favorite Panthers games ever was February 10, 2009. The panthers were down 4 to 1 with about 12 minutes left in the third. There seemed to be less than 2,000 fans left in the building and I was feeling pretty crappy but not ready to leave by any stretch. All of a sudden Horton pots one and a few people heading for the exits turn around to cheer. Some of them stayed, some left. A couple of minutes later Ville Peltonen gets his 9th of the year. Now it’s a whole new game. We can do this! Less than 4 minutes after that Zednik TIES IT UP!!! We have a game here kids! 3 goals in less than half a period and most people who started their evening off in the stands probably didn’t know it had happen until the next morning. That game ended with Zed getting his 10th goal of the season in OT and me without a voice the next day from cheering at the top of my lungs.

The thing about hockey is that the game is so fluid you can’t assume X number of minutes means the end. After being in that building for that comeback I promised my self I’d never give up on a game. Ever.

There are two reasons I’ll leave early (and it’s only been 3 or 4 times in hundreds of games at the BAC):

1. I’m surrounded by obnoxious douchebags who are cheering for the other team and we’re losing huge with a few minutes to go and I simply cannot stand the thought of going to jail after I stab someone for being a classless and utterly disgusting human being…

2. We’re losing huge and I’m getting up at 0300 to fly a plane somewhere the next morning…

Other than that, I look at my seats as an investment. Each minute of a hockey game costs me a little over a dollar for each of my seats… If I leave early, that’s money I’m giving to you know who for FREE… It disgusts me to do that.

I left with 14 seconds left. And I feel dirty because of it.

At the Ice & Dice I was speaking to Skille, we both commented on how much it sucked last year when they went down like 11 games in a row. I never left early for any of those games. I’m a go down with the ship kind of gal.
I have left 2 games this season early- one because I needed to be at work at 5:30am- and the other was because the Bruin fans around me were being such Uber D-bags that I knew I was not going to be able to hold myself back from saying something. The ushers in my section get happy when they see me because I am such a loud mouth- I would hate for them to have to REMOVE me for an altercation.

I left a game against the Habs early a couple of seasons ago because the Panthers were playing poorly and I was surrounded by jerky Canadiens fans. And I left at least one other blowout early in the third period. It was something like 5-1 and I decided during the break if they came out strong I’d stay and they got scored on in like the first minute, so I left. That was 2008-2009, I think.

That’s pretty much it, other than leaving a few minutes early via the stairs for losses against teams who have obnoxious fans in the building, and that’s strictly for purposes of not wanting to see them in the lobby or the parking lot on my way out.

Never left early. Spending money for the seats, food, and beverages, and driving an hour and a half to get there?? Damn right I’m staying. I definitely getting my money’s worth!!