Boston Blazers

I wanted to like going to Blazers games because a) I like sports in general, even the less popular ones, b) I love going to the Garden, and c) it’s inexpensive.
But… for the love of God, it’s just not an enjoyable experience. Music blasting throughout the entire game? Really? That’s just obnoxious, I’m sorry. And it seemed to me like a lot of the ‘violence’ in the game was contrived as a way to drum up ‘excitement’ in the crowd, if you can call it that… even if all 4,000 people in the 17,000 seat arena are cheering, it’s pretty dead — plus you can’t hear anyone over AC/​DC or Metallica blasting over the PA.
Never again

Boston Blazers games can best be described as dirt cheap, really good fun. Playing in a half empty Garden, these guys show true hustle, and are not afraid to get violent.
The experience itself has to be seen to be believed. The game is played with music blaring throughout the arena. I could do without. On the intentional comedy scale a Blazers game scores a 1 or a 2. But on the unintentional comedy scale, we are talking a solid-​gold 10, even from the Russian judge. First, you have the Sparks, who are young lady dancers who were clearly turned away by the Patriots and Celtics. Watching them stumble through routines is hilarious. Last game, some of them tripped over each other coming on to the field. Next, there is «coach» who is this weird dude who walks around the arena, appearing to solicit young girls to be in his little skits during game breaks. He wears a velvetish track suit, and sounds a lot like Borat, in Borat’s most unfunny form. He tries to be funny, but he’s only funny in his lack of funniness. Again, unintentional comedy. I’m guessing he has to register with the police whenever he moves into a new town, if you know what I mean.
Seriously though, Lacrosse is fun. Indoor lacrosse is like the real thing, but on speed and steroids. With season tickets starting at $ 40 (for the whole season) there is plenty of money left over for our pre-​game and post game festivities at the Red Hat. Bring your kids, but if you’re seated near my group, you’ll probably want to move. Luckily, there are lots of available seats.

FIRED UP!
I’ve been to a few Blazers games and I am now a fan. Truth be told, I’ve never been into lacrosse, but I am now hooked. Indoor Lacrosse is too fun to pass up and this is the first year the Blazers are playing at the Garden. What started as taking advantage of sweet ticket deals to attend a sports game has turned into a love of this team. The Blazer games at the Garden are outstanding. The sport is quick like hockey, only more fighting! Yes! And they play music the whole time, even through game play! Woo! And everyone seems to be having such a great time! Awesome! And the team is pretty good! Score! Captain Dan Dawson is leading his team, along with a great goalie (NICE SAVE, COSMO!). Don’t write off lacrosse just because it’s Celtic and Bruin season… stick around for Boston’s newest team!

I’m going to admit something that will probably get me killed. I don’t like baseball. Since my days in this town may now be limited I will begin my goodbyes and tell you about a sport I *do* like, lacrosse.
Back home we used to watch Colorado’s professional lacrosse team, Mammoth, and enjoy the sheer ridiculous spectacle that is an NLL game. So. When I heard that Boston was getting a professional team I was psyched. Unfortch that was 2008 and there was a player strike so alas, no games. Waah Waah. Luckily, new year, new team. Welcome 2009 and the inaugural season of the Boston Blazers.
There are a few things to know about NLL games:
The tickets are CHEAP. They start at $ 13, no joke. Screw those tickets though, drop the additional $ 10 and get down near the floor.
The arena (The Garden) is oddly empty since people aren’t huge lacrosse fans and Boston hasn’t quite caught on that there’s another team to be maniacal about. Now, this doesn’t mean people aren’t taking their shirts off and screaming at the ref, cause they are. Also, you might see people in Spiderman masks. I don’t get it either. BUT if you hate packed arenas, this is a game for you.
The game is *violent*. Like hockey used to be before they softened it up for «safety» and «players health». Bah. The players beat each other with sticks, fists, and whatever is nearby. The shove one another in to the glass with an amazingly satisfying THUNK and only wear padding on the upper half of their bodies (well, presumably a cup but whatevs).
So yeah, these games are off the hook. The Blazers thus far have a pretty good record especially for a freshman team. They won the game we saw with two points in the last 10 seconds of the game. The winning point within .5 seconds. Awesome. They also have dancers, The Sparks, if that’s your gig and for the kiddies a creepy mascot Scorch. Something for everyone.
Hopefully more people will get on board so that they stick around this time. Just not enough to raise ticket prices to ridiculous levels.