Steve Christopher writes: >Just curious--do lots of "fans" at the arenas around the country head >for the exits before a game is over, even if it's close? At Wisconsin, the fans head for the beer gardens between periods. The mass exodus usually starts with 1-2 minutes left in the period. What is annoying is when people don't get back to their seats before the next period and obstruct the view as they stumble back 5-10 minutes into the new period. Do these people just come for the beer? (This is a rhetorical question so please no snide responses.) Unfortunately, the only beer served is either Miller or Bud :-(. Why can't they serve a real beer like Leine's of Berghoff. Me, I've got a wooden leg so I always finish my barley pop with plenty of time to spare. In fact, I volunteer to help others finish in time. --mark 'just discovered the wonderful world of gopher' grassl [log in to unmask] ^^^^^^ A gopher fan in badger land????!!! A few years ago, Mariucci arena changed its policy, such that once you leave the arena, you aren't allowed back in. This stopped what was also a mass exodus to the bars within walking distance. A note about rude people stumbling in while play is in progress... My husband and I went to a Minn. North Stars game this week (the tix were free - I'd never go otherwise!), and we noticed that the ushers prevented people from heading back down to their seats at the beginning of the periods until there was a stoppage in play. I thought this was pretty nice. I hate it when casual fans who have minor interest in the games just come and go as they please with no regard as to what is going on in the game. go go gophers... shari PS: Any other Gopher fans heading up to Duluth next weekend? We'll be at the Friday night game if anyone in stopping by....