When you started out your article by saying 'At playoff time, the National Hockey League is famous for impossibly raucous, loud and intimidating buildings. Staples Center is not one of them, though,' you had my attention.
Shortly thereafter you said 'HP Pavilion can be a Metallica concert when the puck drops.' I get it, they're from the Bay Area too. Cute.
However, when you went on to say 'Staples is more of a Kenny G experience,' it was obvious you don't know a hockey puck from say, those nasty garlic fries served at a Giants game.
As noted in my recent article, Rating the NHL Buildings, I've been to just about every arena in the league. And trust me, San Jose isn't anything special.
Perhaps it's true what Jim Rome says, you're all just jealous we steal your water.
You want to use a quote from Doug Murray to bash the fans in LA? Some guy who asked the media to start calling him Douglas because his mom didn't like 'Doug' - saying it sounded too much like dog?
Whatever Doug.
"I would put it in the middle of the pack," Sharks forward Ryane Clowe said. Yep, just like the Sharks playoff success.
What was your point anyway?
Was it all about trying to write an article where you could drop in names like Lindsay Lohan and the Kardashians? This is hockey buddy, not a TMZ commercial. Nobody cares.
So, here's the deal Purdy, you want to ask 'How tough a place is Staples to play, really?'
I have a suggestion for you, a personal invitation if you will...
You complained about the height of Staples and think it prevents the building from getting loud - well, leave your press box seat. Come sit next to me for one game.
Section 119, row 9.
You'll see why men of far greater importance than you - players like Shane Doan, Brenden Morrow, Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick, Ray Whitney and a list infinitely longer than even the number of times the Sharks have choked in the playoffs - have all called it one of the toughest buildings in the league.
You could have said Los Angeles is the Dodgers' town or even the Lakers' town and I would have let it go.
But, Staples Center is the house that Gretzky built.
The Kings fans who fill it are, by far, the most passionate group of sports fans in Southern California.
And they'll prove it once again tomorrow night staring at 7:30pm.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLE: - POLL - Loudest Kings Game Ever at Staples Center
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Staples Center is the house that Gretzky built!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat was amazing....brought a tear to my eye. You know what's even better, we're sticking it to then with 3 starting rookies, 3 second year players, no kopitar, and an 80% justin williams. I love it. So much for your "depth" of over 20 goal scorers. Lmfao! Go Kings Go!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be in 118, row 15. We'll have to have some special chants for Purdy, Doug and Clowe!
ReplyDeleteGreat article. Really hope that sore loser Purdy reads this. Or even better, I really hope he's in attendance tonight so he can choke on his words. But regardless, didn't seem like noise played a huge factor the last two games anyways. Game two was kinda quiet actually...
ReplyDeleteLove it! Well said my friend, well said.
ReplyDeleteGO KINGS!
Go Sharks!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to hear this chant tonight....
ReplyDeleteBEAT-THE-BAY, BEAT-THE-BAY, BEAT-THE-BAY!
Hah! That is great!
ReplyDeleteFor a team who has not won a cup in over 40 years and could not to do so with the greatest hockey player of all time to call a franchise that is barely twenty years old seems a little off to me. I could even point out last year's post season, where you guys got sent to the golf course in the first round even after all of the hoopla about Jonathan Quick and Anze Kopitar. House that Gretzky built? Right. You're calling it that because he played there on numerous occasions correct? LOL. Way to channel your inner Duck.
ReplyDeleteFor those confused by the 'house that Gretzky built' line, it's a reference to a conversation I had a few years ago with Bruce McNall (as I've written about before). No Gretzky, no Staples. Remember, the Lakers pay rent there. They weren't the ones pushing for a new downtown arena.
ReplyDeleteLoud and proud. Kings fans better bring the noise tonight, and if we score first I know we will. I will be in 118 Row 5, looking forward to hearing The Mayor chirp to guys like Clowe, if it ever gets quiet enough to hear him that is. As for this Mark Purdy, his writing seems more Sacramento than Bay Area, given his infatuation with Hollywood. Loud and proud tonight people, or give up your ticket to someone with pipes that cares. Go Kings!
ReplyDeleteIf Kings had any need for motivation to scream their fricken guts out, then here it is. When you leave the building tonight, do it with your throat so hoarse that you will not be able to speak the next day at work.
ReplyDeleteBRING THE NOIZE!!!
Wasn't Gretz long gone before Staples was ever bult? I thought the GW Forum was the house that Gretzky built? Educate me.
ReplyDeletePlease don't reference Gretzky's supposed influence on getting the Staples Cntr built as 'The house the Gretzky built' C'mon! LA was a fading memory in Gretzkys brain as he set sail for retirement. Including the current Kings and Staples in a reference to Gretzky is a joke, even Gretz thinks the Kings fans suck, and he's right. BEAT LA! BEAT LA!
ReplyDelete1) How many times have the sharks 'choked' in the play offs? Once? Twice?
ReplyDelete2) Playoff appearances: Kings 25 times since 1968, Sharks: 15 times since 1991. All time series wins for both teams: 11. You've won as many series as us, but in twice the time.
Please just ignore Mark Purdy, just like all the sharks fans who read the SJ Mercury do. The guy just has no clue when it comes to hockey. It's the same old story, team makes playoffs, editor asks rest of sport writers to contribute and it equals crap articles like Purdy's.
ReplyDeleteI wish Staples would let me bring in a sign for tonight's game. Once the Kings go up 1-0 on the Guppies, and the building is rocking to rafters, I would like to raise my Verizon sign up towards the press box area..
ReplyDelete"Hey Mark Purdy: Can you hear me now?"
You mean the same garlic fries they serve at Dodger Stadium?
ReplyDeleteI've been on the Kings beat for LAist for the second season, and even from the press box at the tippy top of the arena it was clear how loud the crowd was in Game 3 of the Canucks series last season.
ReplyDeleteI've seen how lively fans get when nationally gets questioned earlier this season against the Canucks on a Saturday afternoon in March.
And don't get started on the standing-room only crowds of the Ducks games.
And in the smoking balcony during intermissions things are crazy.
Purdy will get a good dose of reality later tonight. As Helene Elliot wrote today, he doesn't have the best judgement.