Best of Puck
If you are thinking about booking tickets, the Cyclones have some awesome family-friendly themes coming up in February and March. We are already eyeing the Youth Jersey Giveaway Matinee on Feb. 15, (perfect 3 p.m. start time for naps!) and the Plushie Stick Giveaway on March 14.
Plus, many of these games feature $1 popcorn and $3 burgers, which is a total win for the parents’ wallet!
More at cycloneshockey.com.
Let’s be honest, Cincinnati winters can feel long. When you have little ones, finding ways to get out of the house without freezing your toes off is a constant mission. This past Saturday, eager to escape cabin fever, my husband Eli and I decided to bundle up the girls—Rosie (2) and Ruby (10 months)—and head downtown to Heritage Bank Center for a Cincinnati Cyclones game. It wasn't just any game; it was “Star Wars” Night, and it turned out to be the perfect winter outing.
As soon as we walked up to the arena, Rosie spotted the Puckchop statue outside and was immediately intrigued. But the real magic happened when we walked inside. We literally walked right into the real Puckchop, who was dressed as a Jedi for the occasion! Rosie was super excited... from a distance. As soon as we got up close, the reality of a giant pig-man-Jedi set in, and she suddenly needed a little extra courage from Mommy.
If you’re worried about containing kids in tight seats, don't be. We picked seats in the far corner, up high. Even though the arena was decently crowded, this area gave us a ton of space so the girls could spread out, wiggle around, and just be kiddos without us worrying about bothering the people next to us.
Planning your own trip? Here is what you need to know before you go!
The Diaper Bag Loophole: Heritage Bank Center has a strict “Clear Bag Policy” (12"x12"x6"), but diaper bags are the exception! You can bring a regular diaper bag if you have your child with you, though security will search it.
Ticket Rules: Kids under age 2 get in free as long as they sit on a lap. Since Rosie is 2, we grabbed a ticket for her, but Ruby got in for free.
Ear Protection: It gets LOUD. The goal horn is thrilling for us but can be startling for babies. I highly recommend bringing noise-canceling headphones for the littles.
Leave the Stroller: Strollers are typically not permitted in the seating bowl and navigating the stairs with them is a nightmare anyway. We found it much easier to baby-wear Ruby and walk Rosie in.
Go Cashless: The arena is completely cashless, so make sure you have your card or Apple Pay ready for those popcorn refills!
I wasn’t sure how much actual hockey-watching would happen, but Rosie surprised me! She was glued to the action. Luckily, Eli played hockey his entire childhood, so he was more than happy to answer her plethora of questions about the puck, the skating, and why everyone was crashing into each other. Meanwhile, 10-month-old Ruby was just happy to vibe. She spent the first period fascinated by the crowd, the rafters, and the hundreds of red lightsabers waving around in the stands.
The absolute peak of the night for Rosie didn't actually have anything to do with hockey. Between the first and second periods, the arena hosted a "sing-along. We were expecting “Sweet Caroline,” but instead, the speakers blasted “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen.” You have never seen a face light up as fast as Rosie’s did! She joined the entire arena in belting out her favorite song. It was one of those core memories you just hope sticks with them.
As the game went on, the wiggles started to set in. The girls got a bit antsy, but the Cyclones managed to score two goals in the second period—plus a classic hockey fight broke out—which grabbed their attention back just in time. At one point, Rosie spotted the other mascot, Twister, in the crowd. She wanted to meet him so badly, but he never made it around to our section, so we will definitely have to go back to give her a chance to say hi.
By the third period, the Cyclones scored again, but the “Sandman” was calling for Ruby. She was getting very tired, and we knew the clock was ticking. We decided to beat the traffic and head out before the final buzzer. Even though we missed the end of the game, it was a total win. It got us out of the house for a couple of hours, the atmosphere was incredibly family-friendly, and the girls had a blast.
We will absolutely be heading back to the ice soon—Twister, get ready, because Rosie is coming for you!
– Shae Huth