First Red Wings Game at the Joe

[stallion 17]

Ladies and gents of LGW.com,

Life has afforded me an opportunity, and I will finally be seeing a Red Wings game at the Joe (Game 6 on Sunday). Been a fan since the Russian 5 days, and can't wait to see the place in person. However, I've done very little research, and have some questions with which I hope some may help. Also, if anyone wants to chime in with little nuggets of wisdom or helpful hints, then by all means, please do.

We're staying at the Greektown Hotel/Casino, and are arriving a couple of hours before gametime. Nothing else planned, though since my Datsyuk jersey is back home (and I'm not swinging through there before I go to Detroit), I'd like to buy a new one. Here come the questions:

1) Where should I go from the Greektown Hotel to buy a jersey? I'm looking for a white Konstantinov jersey, though would gladly settle for an Yzerman.

2a) How early can I get into the Joe? (I'd like to see any warmups that I can)

2b) How crowded will it be inside the Joe pre-game? Can I easily get up close to the glass?

3) What's the easiest route from the hotel to the Joe? Driving? Cab? Something else?

That's all I got for now, though more questions will likely follow. By the way, I'm in section 120, row 6. If anyone's around there, feel free to holler at me and congratulate me on finally making a dream come true

[Travis 576]

The only one I can answer is that you should take the People Mover. Especially since you're staying in Greektown and there are stops at both the Greektown Casino and Joe Louis Arena. 3rd floor.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

1) You can buy a jersey at the Joe. There's a small sports gear store near Comerica Park...down a few doors from Cheli's Chili. Don't know what they have, or prices, though.

2) Pretty sure the doors open 1 1/2 hours before the game.

2b) You'll be able to get near the glass for the pre-skate..

3) Take the People Mover and save the hassle of parking.

Edited April 23, 2010 by HOCKEY MATTERS

[mmamolo 287]

Ladies and gents of LGW.com,

Life has afforded me an opportunity, and I will finally be seeing a Red Wings game at the Joe (Game 6 on Sunday). Been a fan since the Russian 5 days, and can't wait to see the place in person. However, I've done very little research, and have some questions with which I hope some may help. Also, if anyone wants to chime in with little nuggets of wisdom or helpful hints, then by all means, please do.

We're staying at the Greektown Hotel/Casino, and are arriving a couple of hours before gametime. Nothing else planned, though since my Datsyuk jersey is back home (and I'm not swinging through there before I go to Detroit), I'd like to buy a new one. Here come the questions:

1) Where should I go from the Greektown Hotel to buy a jersey? I'm looking for a white Konstantinov jersey, though would gladly settle for an Yzerman.

2a) How early can I get into the Joe? (I'd like to see any warmups that I can)

2b) How crowded will it be inside the Joe pre-game? Can I easily get up close to the glass?

3) What's the easiest route from the hotel to the Joe? Driving? Cab? Something else?

That's all I got for now, though more questions will likely follow. By the way, I'm in section 120, row 6. If anyone's around there, feel free to holler at me and congratulate me on finally making a dream come true

That's awesome that you're finally going to make it to the Joe. It's an experience like no other for a Wings fan.

Personally, I would just buy the jersey inside the Joe. Prices are reasonable and you can get whatever you want. You can get game used sticks and all kinds of cool s***. Plus, it'll save you the hassle of roaming around Detroit. With the game starting at 2 you may want to spend your free time at the Joe.

You can get to the Joe a couple hours early to get in and see the warm up. Never worry about getting there too early. I remember I got there really early once and couldnt get in but there are always fans around the Joe and cool stuff happening to burn up time. Plus, if it's your first time you're love soaking up the atmosphere.

It's usually not too crowded during warm up that you can't squeeze up against the glass somewhere. However, it is playoffs so it may be somewhat crowded. But the way the Joe is set up there'll be tons of space to see everythign you want to see so I wouldn't worry about it much.

From Greektown Hotel you can always take the ppl mover or even just walk so you can kind of get your bearings around Detroit. I've walked it before and it's not that big of a deal but the ppl mover is dirt cheap.

[hockey&beer 16]

A Konstantinov jersey would be a rare find. Probably the only/easiest place to find it would be at Hockeytown Authentics. It's just a short drive north on I-75 to exit 69 (Big Beaver) and then head east for a few miles. You could also get off at Rochester Road, since its on the corner of Rochester and The Beav, but what fun is that?

Unfortunately I've never made it to an afternoon PO game, so as far as crowds go, I have no info for ya. If I were to make a fair guess there wll be plenty of people there early to take advantage of $8.50 beer night.

Hope you have a blast!

[mmamolo 287]

A Konstantinov jersey would be a rare find. Probably the only/easiest place to find it would be at Hockeytown Authentics. It's just a short drive north on I-75 to exit 69 (Big Beaver) and then head east for a few miles. You could also get off at Rochester Road, since its on the corner of Rochester and The Beav, but what fun is that?

Unfortunately I've never made it to an afternoon PO game, so as far as crowds go, I have no info for ya. If I were to make a fair guess there wll be plenty of people there early to take advantage of $8.50 beer night.

Hope you have a blast!

I went to an afternoon PO game during the 08 run and in terms of crowds for warm ups and stuff it was no different than an evening game - at least not on that particular occassion.

[NvrFrgtRussian5 85]

grab some lunch at cobo joes!

[mmamolo 287]

Forget Cobo Joe's. For the whole first game at the Joe experience get lunch at the Hockeytown Cafe

[I Red Wings I 40]

1) You can buy a jersey at the Joe. There's a small sports gear store near Comerica Park...down a few doors from Cheli's Chili. Don't know what they have, or prices, though.

2) Pretty sure the doors open 1 1/2 hours before the game.

2b) You'll be able to get near the glass for the pre-skate..

3) Take the People Mover and save the hassle of parking.

It's an hour

[stallion 17]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Looks like we'll be taking the people mover there, though I don't know about the Hockeytown Cafe pregame since we're driving in on that day, and I don't want to miss any pre-game stuff in the arena.

How is navigating around Detroit? Anything I should be forewarned about? I'm from NYC, so I'm used to getting around hectic areas, but maybe there are some tidbits of info I could use.

Anyone have anything else? Keep 'em coming!!

[Travis 576]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Looks like we'll be taking the people mover there, though I don't know about the Hockeytown Cafe pregame since we're driving in on that day, and I don't want to miss any pre-game stuff in the arena.

How is navigating around Detroit? Anything I should be forewarned about? I'm from NYC, so I'm used to getting around hectic areas, but maybe there are some tidbits of info I could use.

Anyone have anything else? Keep 'em coming!!

Detroit isn't a very hectic town as far as traffic goes, and isn't terribly hard to navigate. I don't imagine you'll have any issues there.

[robat 13]

There's a place that sells jerseys in Greektown. Right outside the stairway when you get off the People Mover.

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

Ladies and gents of LGW.com,

Life has afforded me an opportunity, and I will finally be seeing a Red Wings game at the Joe (Game 6 on Sunday). Been a fan since the Russian 5 days, and can't wait to see the place in person. However, I've done very little research, and have some questions with which I hope some may help. Also, if anyone wants to chime in with little nuggets of wisdom or helpful hints, then by all means, please do.

We're staying at the Greektown Hotel/Casino, and are arriving a couple of hours before gametime. Nothing else planned, though since my Datsyuk jersey is back home (and I'm not swinging through there before I go to Detroit), I'd like to buy a new one. Here come the questions:

1) Where should I go from the Greektown Hotel to buy a jersey? I'm looking for a white Konstantinov jersey, though would gladly settle for an Yzerman.

2a) How early can I get into the Joe? (I'd like to see any warmups that I can)

2b) How crowded will it be inside the Joe pre-game? Can I easily get up close to the glass?

3) What's the easiest route from the hotel to the Joe? Driving? Cab? Something else?

That's all I got for now, though more questions will likely follow. By the way, I'm in section 120, row 6. If anyone's around there, feel free to holler at me and congratulate me on finally making a dream come true

1) There is a sports store directly across from the "5 Guys Burgers and Fries" restaraunt in Greektown. I can't remember what jerseys they sell, but I do remember that they have them. If you have a car, you could drive to one of the Hockeytown Authentics locations. They would have one of those, guaranteed. The Joe would most likely have them too, however, I don't like their jerseys personally. They don't use the right numbering.

2a)You can get into the Joe either 1-1.5 hours before puck drop. The players usually come out for warmups a half hour before game time. Getting in an hour early should be fine.

2b)If you get in early enough, you can get right down to the glass. Since you are already in the lower bowl, you should have no problem.

3)To get to the Joe, I would either recommend the People Mover, located in the Greektown Casino (right above 5 Guys) or one of the many shuttles that go from Greektown to the Joe. The shuttles are free and the people mover costs .50 cents a ride. The only problem is that after the game, the people mover is unbelievably crowded (be prepared to wait...for a loooong time) and the shuttles are hard to find because there are so many. Quid pro quo.

I hope you have fun at the game. Playoff games are a blast! If you are looking for a good place to eat before the game, I would check out either 5 Guys or Pizza Papalis in Greektown.

[solnyshko 8]

3)To get to the Joe, I would either recommend the People Mover, located in the Greektown Casino (right above 5 Guys) or one of the many shuttles that go from Greektown to the Joe. The shuttles are free and the people mover costs .50 cents a ride. The only problem is that after the game, the people mover is unbelievably crowded (be prepared to wait...for a loooong time) and the shuttles are hard to find because there are so many. Quid pro quo.

I loathe the People Mover after the game. It is insanely crowded, and the wait to even get on it takes fooooorever. It reminded me a little of the subway in NYC (lived there for 3 years) at rush hour. Except worse because the train is A LOT smaller. Using it to get to the game is fine, but if you are going to use it afterwards, just be prepared to wait in line a long time and then be smashed into the train. Though, it has been my experience that a majority of the people get off the train at Greektown, which makes things a bit easier. We got off a stop before and had to elbow through the mass of people on the train to make it out the door (and not everybody in our group even made it, ha ha).

Regardless of how you get back, though, have an amazing time at the game!! Playoff hockey at the Joe is the absolute best

[OldMan333 13]

people mover before the game if you are coming over an hour ahead, and grab a free shuttle back to greektown afterwards. Shuttles line up along the river outside the riverside entrance - just hop on one and it'll take you back to whatever bar it came from.

As for jerseys, I'd be really surprised if you could get a Konstantinov except by special order. I would hope you could get an Yzerman though.

Have a blast at the game. And yell your friggin head off. We are counting on you!

[Gizmo 21]

The doors open 90 minutes prior to the start. Amazingly, the crowds for the warm-ups are usually pretty light. You can usually walk right down to the glass about 45 minutes before the start of the game. Warm-ups usually are about 30 minutes prior to the advertised start time. Warm-ups are one of my favorite parts of a visit to JLA. I'm amazed more people don't watch them.

I think a Vladdy jersey will be next to impossible to find off the rack. Your best bet would be to order one from a private customizer. I'm pretty sure that NHLPA rules normally make it hard for teams to continue to make jerseys for players not on the current rosters. Once they're gone, they're gone.

[stallion 17]

OMFG I AM SO EXCITED

t-minus 24 hours and I'll (hopefully) be in the JOE!!

ergvfjkwebrklvbjwekllwekjrvblkejrvb!!!11!!!one!1eleventeen!!12!

btw, went to the Sabres game last night...was pretty cool, except I was the loudest idiot in my section (and I'm no die-hard fan). I just hope there's some fellow Red Wings fans tomorrow that will give me a run for my money in terms of intensity.

Edited April 24, 2010 by stallion

[Jwo 7]

Some other good places too eat are at Lafayette or American Coney Island. Their specialty are Coney dogs and if you're in Detroit, its a must too try if you never had one. The two are right next door from each other and are rivals from the same family. It's on the triangle part of Michigan ave and Lafayette.

[Zion 93]

Enjoy the game!

Haven't read all of the posts, but I will say this:

Get there when the doors open. We really enjoyed walking around and seeing all of the Red Wings displays throughout the concourse. You'll be able to shop as soon as they open, and they will be less crowded. You'll hear "Hey, Hey Hockeytown!" playing in the background.

There is always room down at ice level to catch the pregame skate, and the earlier you get there, the better spot you'll get. To me, this is often worth the price of admission alone, as the players are often having fun, though I've only caught regular season games and not any playoff games... yet.

And you'll be able to walk around the arena, check out all of the MANY banners that are hung up, and really take in all of the years of WINNING that this organization has become synonymous with. You won't regret it. Enjoy the game, too!

[softshoes 83]

Some other good places too eat are at Lafayette or American Coney Island. Their specialty are Coney dogs and if you're in Detroit, its a must too try if you never had one. The two are right next door from each other and are rivals from the same family. It's on the triangle part of Michigan ave and Lafayette.

If you go to Lafayette Coney order a tall milk.

Even if your lactose intolerant order one. Trust me drinking it is not why you want it.

[stallion 17]

If you go to Lafayette Coney order a tall milk.

Even if your lactose intolerant order one. Trust me drinking it is not why you want it.

Hmmm.....I'm going to need a bit of a hint on this one.

[redwingslady87 130]

A Yzerman jersey will run you around $ 200. My friend just bought a new one back in March. My dad and I will be there tomorrow as well. I hope you enjoy your stay, and soak up the atmosphere of the Joe.

[softshoes 83]

Hmmm.....I'm going to need a bit of a hint on this one.

I'll just say it's the method of delivery that does it.

[stallion 17]

Got back not too long ago. Long story short, my first Joe experience was atrocious. The city itself was pretty cool, but a win definitely would have been nice. Oh well.

Better freakin' win game 7 though.