With the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference finals – the first time since their 1994 attempt – hometown pride has been overflowing as we cheer them on. I don’t think there’s anything that compares to the feeling that goes through you as you watch a game unfold. It’s a unique experience.

My fellow blogger Max and I were talking this morning and we wondered… what would you call that feeling?

Max: I’ve been watching the games on TV, along with everyone in my neighbourhood. Every time the Canucks score, you can hear a blast of air horns and cheering echo throughout downtown. It’s a good feeling, being connected to your town like that. It reminds me a bit of the Olympics. My friends and I were clustered around our television, watching the game, and after Canada pulled off that last-minute goal, we went into the street and were suddenly surrounded by the crowd. The cheering, the crying, the excitement—it was like what I’d felt while watching that game, times a million.

Andrea: Whenever I think of watching a game at home I think of having the dickens scared out of me. Game day is an event – family over, snack food on the coffee table, CBC up on the TV. Why should I be scared? Even though I know it’s coming, my Dad likes to yell “SHOOT”. It makes me jump out of my seat in surprise every time, but it’s part of the experience. It’s as though he thinks saying this to the TV will make the Canucks play better.

We came to the agreement though, that as fun as it is to watch the Canucks on TV, there’s something altogether different about actually being there.

Max: The last time I went to a game was years ago, with my parents. I remember the smell of the ice, the Zamboni, the deafening cheers from the crowd. It was amazing. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. So with the combination of hockey tickets going for so cheap and the Canucks doing so well in the playoffs, I’m going to check out a game in person for the first time in a while.

Andrea: Seeing the game in Rogers Arena is a different experience all together. That camaraderie from home is multiplied. There’s a thrum that goes through you when you and 20,000 other fans rise to sing the national anthem. This is hometown Vancouver at its finest. It’s magic. You and the people next to you become friends as you cheer the Sedins down the ice, as you watch Luongo make the save. Watching at home is fun, but watching in the arena is exhilarating.

If you’ve never seen a playoff game live, now would be the time to grab tickets and go. There are some amazing deals to be had for every fan who wants to see the Vancouver Canucks live in action.

The next game against the San Jose Sharks is Friday, May 20th at 6 pm in San Jose. The next home game will be Tuesday, May 24th at Rogers Arena (though only if it’s needed!).