Q & AHL

Official Review by Dennis Morrell, Stadium Journey Special Correspondent

For the 2011-2012 season, the Lake Erie Monsters celebrate their 5th year in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena and this may be one of their more successful years so far. With the prolonged NBA lockout and interest in the NFL Browns waning, the Monsters might be able to capitalize on a relatively vacant Winter sports scene.

Lake Erie shares the Arena with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and so the venue is first-class. Dan Gilbert of Quicken software fame owns both teams. Coupled with the Colorado Avalanche serving as a worthy parent, the Monsters continue their progress on the ice and are looking to accomplish great things during the 2011-12 season.

Quicken Loans Arena was built in 1994 and still looks like it is brand new. The transformation after the NBA's Cavaliers changed their uniform color scheme led to the replacement of seats to feature a red hue. The concourses are palatial and make for a great place to attend a game.

Food & Beverage    3

A walk through the main concourse and you will find a smattering of the standard booths with very few alternative options from place to place. All the standard things are here with several specialty booths and carts along the concourse and a few special drink areas.

Bottled water and soda at $4.25 seemed a little steep. Nachos and Cheese Combo with drink is $11.25, a hot dog is $4.25 and a 32-ounce drink is $5.25.

Of the unique items, they have a bakery cart (The Cupcakery), a healthy food booth (Just4You), a special area for mixed drinks and premium liquors (Cleveland on the Rocks), and all are worth visiting.

Atmosphere    4

The street level concourse is the main and only one to gain access to your seat. The concourse is lined with a few temporary tables for marketing partners, season ticket drives and a booster club, but do not detract form the overall feel of the marquee venue. The concourse is wide with discernible directional signs and attractive facades.

The entire upper deck, certainly needed for basketball, concerts and other events, is inaccessible during Monsters' games. This leaves the lower bowl which is split in into two areas, lower and middle. The main concourse affords you access to both.

As to where you might sit, you should know a few things before buying your ticket.

If you want to face the benches as I like to do, center ice is between section 108 and 109. As you are seated in this area, the home team occupies the bench to your left, the visiting team to the right. The Monsters shoot twice to your right and defend to your left. You are directly behind the penalty boxes.

The ticket offices are on three sides of the building, west, north and east. Ticket prices are as follows. $10 for the high corners, $15 for the high ends, $18 for the lower ends, $22 for lower than that ends and corners, $28 for most sides and then $41 for rows two and three around the glass and $65 for the very first row.

Purchase any ticket (except for the $10 seats) before day of game and save $2.00. I suggest purchasing the $10 ticket day of game in section 113 up high. Then you get to see the home team shoot twice, face the benches and feel like you received good value for your money.

Merchandise can be purchased at the Cavaliers-dominated team store at the North entrance or at sections 100 and 128.

The team recently gained the distinction of "Most Lively Crowd" as voted on by an AHL survey. Even when small crowds attend a Monsters game, you will still find a spirited atmosphere. Perhaps this is due to the prolonged basketball lockout and the pent up frustration to cheer for something, or perhaps this is just a testament to the fervor in which Clevelanders support their sports teams.

This venue relies mostly on rock and roll music instead of organ themes, the likely impact of sharing an arena with the Cavaliers and the rock concert environment the League attempts to create. The scoreboard is major league quality with replays on all four sides. The upper and lower sections are divided with an electronic ribbon for promotional and game details.

Neighborhood    5

Because this area of downtown caters to two major stadiums (Quicken Loans Arena and Progressive Field) with a third not too far (Cleveland Browns Stadium), there are quite a few places to visit before the game. There are a few within a block or two of the arena including the Winking Lizard and City Tap Cleveland at 748 Prospect Avenue. A burger and a pint of brew from their famous wall of beers cost me $16 with tip. Make the latter your choice before game time.

The Winking Lizard has, in fact, in captivity, a huge iguana, just inside the east door. Poor service, no logical explanation, etc. The iguana gave me more respect than a person when I walked in the door.

The other, City Tap Cleveland, features a "scoreboard" size wall promoting all of the beers on tap. Order a gourmet burger and point to the beer on the wall to order. After a nourishing meal, you are just steps from stadium.

If you choose the light rail system to get to the game, consider the RTA Tower where you will likely exit the train. You will find many of the popular chain restaurants here as well.

Other favorites in the area include The Greenhouse Tavern (for foodies) or Harry Buffalo (for great burgers).

Fans    4

The fans routinely are responsive at key moments during a game and are particularly robust when they see their team needs a jump in their play. A few regular chants and "the wave" are popular and the team seems to respond.

While fan knowledge is mixed, the site of a fight gets them most riled up, and the Monster faithful can carry on a pretty good conversation on the details of their roster, their results and the season ahead.

A booster club takes up tile in the concourse where the most ardent supporters are before the game and at times, during games.

Access    5

The arena is across the street and just to the North of Progressive Field, home of Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians. There are parking garages to the East and the North of Quicken Loans Arena and parking is just $10.

Another option to take to the game is light rail which drops you off at the RTA Tower station, situated just below a large, full-scale shopping mall. From there, walk up the steps to the stadium access level and take the walkway south. The walk is just a few blocks and lets you out right in front of the arena. Fares are $2 each way. A roundtrip pass is $4. Discounts exist for seniors, students and children.

Restrooms are spread nicely throughout the arena and there are plenty of them to support even the largest crowd.

Return on Investment    4

The team is probably pushing the upper limits on pricing, but you can't fault them for pushing for more margin. Fans who take advantage of special nights such as Thirsty Thursdays save on beer. There are other specials throughout the weeknights and the occasional weekend promotion. Also, there are savings during special nights ticket promotion nights particularly weeknight games. The Monsters also offer package deals which also drive the price down nicely.

Extras    1

Game Programs are free at Monsters games and are provided as you walk in at the main concourse near the entrances. They are the smaller handheld size. An updated full-page roster and statistics sheet are stacked alongside. Pick one up on the way to your seat.