Which pond do Ducks swim best in?

May 4

There are two ways to watch a sports game: alone or with friends and family. From there, the location options are endless. A bar, at home, in the stadium or on a yacht in Newport — though I do not personally partake in that last one.

The Anaheim Ducks first round NHL playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers offered six opportunities to try one of those combinations. The Ducks won 4-2, and as we head into the second round, fans should know the best and worst ways to watch playoff hockey. I watched every game from the first round, and chronicled my experience.

One caveat: I definitely missed out on some of the best ways to enjoy the games. I could’ve tried a few other bars, gone to the Ducks’ official watch party or invited friends over to my dorm. But take heed from my ratings and the second round will be a complete joy to watch.

Game #1: Bar (Danny K’s Billiards & Sports Bar)

With friends and random other fans

Score: Oilers win 4-3

Going to a sports bar will always be a good choice. But the level of enjoyment can vary depending on what you want. And for a playoff game, you want to be hyped up more than anything else.

When a goal is scored, people better be jumping up and cheering loudly. My group brought that passion to the bar, but it didn’t feel like people around us were quite at that level. Danny K’s is also on the chill side, with billiards games and darts to distract people.

I would say around 65% of the contingent on the night were Ducks fans. Maybe at another bar, the ratio would’ve been closer to 100%. However, there was just enough energy to feel connected to the fans around us. When the Ducks scored, people celebrated. When the Oilers scored, dejection was evident on many faces.

In general, a bar is a great place to chat about the game, sports in general or any random topic while watching. The sense of community is strong. When the Ducks briefly led, it felt euphoric to be in a place with other fans. Also, beer and food are on offer for a decent price at Danny K’s.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience and worth the time and money. We could celebrate, but there are certainly other atmospheres better suited for getting hyped. Thankfully, it was easy to walk out pissed off since our tab was closed out.

Rating: 7.5/10

Game #2: Home

Alone

Score: Ducks win 6-4

After a loss, sometimes a return to comfort is needed. Computer on lap, outside world shuttered off. The bar is fun, and I could have gone to the Ducks watch party after reserving free tickets. Superstition reigned, though, as a lot of wins I watched during the season were enjoyed in the Davis Apartments. It has a certain good luck aura.

Being at home is also fun, let’s be honest. You have your own food and snacks and don’t have to pay extra prices for anything. No transportation is needed. I didn’t invite friends over this time, but it’s a good option especially if you have an apartment to yourself or, god forbid, a house.

The best part of Kevin McCallister’ing it, however, is the ability to fully experience the range of emotions that come with watching a pivotal playoff game.

Each goal the Ducks scored, I was jumping up, shouting, clapping, throwing things in joy and acting in a manner that the general public would frown at. And when the Oilers scored, the expletives list grew from what I used at Danny K’s.

Rating: 8.5/10

Game #3: Sneaking glances at livestream on phone or the ESPN app or social media while out with friends

Score: Ducks win 7-4

Sometimes life calls. You want to have it all — hang out with friends while doing activities that aren’t sports related at all. It doesn’t really work if you want to experience the joy of the playoffs, however. Watching senior thesis film screenings at Dodge was not the most conducive setting to do so.

The night was fun, and the Ducks played a great game which made it easier on my mental health, but I would recommend just choosing one or the other. Either watch the game or hang out. If both are to occur, the hang out needs to be centered around the game.

Still, this was easily the least stressful game of the series from my perspective. The score kept changing in the 10 minutes it took to watch a short film and then check my phone, which was shocking, but I didn’t have to deal with the nitty gritty. Maybe the healthiest way to watch sports is to not watch them?

I did watch the highlights after I got home later in the night, so that was a lovely cherry on top to the evening.

Rating: 2/10

Game #4: The Pond (Honda Center)

With Easton Clark (photo editor) and 16k other fans

Score: Ducks win 4-3 in overtime

Going to the game is the best playoff experience. That is not a surprising statement. It was worth every dollar — of which there were $286 for two nosebleed tickets.

It didn’t hurt that game four was the closest in the series by far. The Ducks came back from down 2-0 and down 3-2 to force overtime, where they won in the most dramatic fashion I’ve ever witnessed live. Anaheim’s game-winning goal was just inches over the line, and the entire stadium was stuck in anticipatory anxiety. When the ref finally called it a good goal, I couldn’t hear myself think.

Attending playoff hockey — or any playoff sport for that matter — is a must see for a sports fan. It is life changing. It is the maker of lifetime memories. Honda Center was loud, the game was great and even from the cheap seats there wasn’t a second where I regretted going.

Rating: 11/10

Game #5: In a night class

Kind of alone because nobody else was really watching

Score: Oilers win 4-1

Watching playoff hockey in a 7 p.m. college class is the exact antithesis to attending the game. There is no community to be had with other fans. There is no ability to scream or celebrate or be upset. You miss out on the actual excitement factor. Plus the game has to be on mute.

This is all especially true when it's class presentation day.

Let me set the scene. I sit in the back of a classroom that has three rows of long tables, split down the middle so people can walk through. I’m on the end closest to that walkway. Sitting slightly behind me and to my left was, of course, my professor.

It would’ve been blatantly disrespectful if I didn’t attempt to hide the computer, but that just made it uncomfortable and awkward to watch.

The Ducks got blown out in this game, which made me even more mad. I couldn’t even watch the full game because I needed to actually use my computer for school from time to time.

Every time I left the game and came back, the Ducks were scored on. I swear. It sucked. I felt like being in class was angering the hockey gods.

I made it home for the final 15 minutes but the game was over by then. The vibes were completely off. Night class watching a playoff game is a complete no go. At 2 p.m., maybe it feels cool. At 7 p.m., you’d rather be at home or the bar.

Rating: 0/10

Game #6: Trivia at Provisions

With friends but they weren’t watching

Score: Ducks win 5-2 and win the series

Folks, I figured it out. The best way to hang with friends outside of sports, but still watch playoff hockey. Go to weekly trivia, especially when there is a guarantee that the game will be on one of the TVs.

It mixes some of the best aspects of other watching avenues. There’s drinks and food, friends, other random people and you don’t feel like a hermit crab inside the house.

The competitiveness is doubled, because not only are you rooting for your team, you’re also trying to win trivia. However, that also means your attention cannot be fully on the game itself. There was no noise from the TV, and most other people didn’t care. I was able to celebrate some, but it amounted to fist pumps at the table and a few subdued “let’s go” calls.

My team got third in Provisions trivia, and the Ducks were up 3-1 when I left, so the night was full of happiness. The way it worked out, I got to watch the final period at home which was cool. Home is always supreme. I got my emotions out, especially since Anaheim closed out the series.

This was the loudest home game of the series for the Ducks, so missing out on parts of that at trivia was tough. Being at game six must’ve been awesome. The Pond will only get louder from here on out. But I am glad I heard them play “Country Roads” because, even at home, I got chills from the crowd’s rendition.

Rating: 6/10

One last thing: the ultimate way to celebrate a series win is to get a few snacks and watch the first “Mighty Ducks” movie. And the ultimate way to enjoy playoff sports is anywhere but in a classroom. Screw that.

Caleb Otte