Professional hockey, expensive concessions, a Wednesday night crowd, and one incredible root beer float.
There is a famous saying that lights up the bridge in Trenton, New Jersey: “Trenton Makes, The World Takes.” Well, on a chilly early November night, I learned something else about New Jersey’s capital city. Trenton Makes… BUT They Also Skate!
The Trenton Ironhawks, a new ECHL hockey team affiliated with the New York Islanders, have brought professional hockey to New Jersey’s capital city.
Having had the opportunity to cover their Fan Fest before the season began, seeing everything finally come together was something to behold. The excitement, the branding, the atmosphere, and the promise of something new were all there. Well, almost all of it. Because there was one little problem. It was Wednesday night.
Let’s face it, Wednesday night isn’t exactly the easiest night to pack an arena. The crowd was noticeably light, and that certainly took a little of the luster away from the experience. But even with fewer people in the building, there was still a sense of fun. The kind of atmosphere that makes you think, “You know what? This is something I would absolutely bring my kids to.”
And in today’s economy, where it feels like simply leaving your house requires a second mortgage, the Ironhawks have something going for them. Single-game tickets start as low as $20. Yes, $20 for professional hockey! That’s refreshing when it seems like every sporting event, concert, or family outing has become a financial decision requiring a board meeting.
I couldn’t help but wonder what this building must have felt like during their sold-out opening night in October. The noise, the energy, the excitement of welcoming a new team. I imagine it was something special. Having not attended a professional hockey game in quite some time, this experience brought me back to my days as a New Jersey Devils season ticket holder. There is something about live hockey that television simply cannot replicate. The speed, the sound of the puck hitting the boards, the physicality, and that anticipation every time someone takes a shot. Even with a smaller crowd, you could feel that interest was there.
And then I got hungry. Oh boy, did things change.
I made my way downstairs to check out the concessions, thinking I had discovered one of the more affordable nights of entertainment available. And then I saw the prices. $16 cheesesteaks and $9 waters. NINE DOLLARS FOR WATER! Suddenly, that $20 ticket started making a whole lot more sense. Now, before anyone gets upset, I’m not blaming the Ironhawks. They aren’t necessarily the ones setting concession prices. But it is a constant reminder of the world we live in. Just when you think you’ve found a deal, the economy jumps out from behind a concession stand and screams, “NOPE! HERE ARE YOUR FOOD PRICES! ENJOY!”
To be fair, there were some better options, including a $12 wrap that seemingly appeared out of nowhere as I was making my way back to the press box. Where was that 15 minutes ago? Something to remember for next time. Oh, and apparently there was a hockey game happening while I was conducting my investigation into the financial state of arena food. The Reading Royals jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead over Trenton in the first period, and that’s how things stood heading into the first intermission.
But here’s the thing. You don’t read my articles for a play-by-play game recap. You read them to experience the night. You can find the box score anywhere. I want you to feel like you were sitting there with me, experiencing the good, the bad, the ridiculous, and apparently the outrageously priced bottled water.
And speaking of ridiculous, I have a question. Why on earth are people wearing Philadelphia Flyers jerseys to a Trenton Ironhawks game? Listen, I understand supporting hockey. I understand not having an Ironhawks jersey yet. That’s perfectly fine. But the Flyers aren’t playing tonight. They’re not even in the building! It wasn’t just one person either. Hold on, let me count. FIFTEEN! Fifteen people wearing Flyers jerseys. Really? It’s like showing up to a Yankees game wearing a Red Sox jersey when they’re playing the Tampa Bay Rays. I mean, I guess you’re saying, “Hey, I like hockey!” Congratulations. So do the rest of us.
Anyway, back to the actual hockey. The second period felt much more fluid. Both teams were exchanging shots, the pace picked up, and Trenton finally broke through to cut the deficit to 2-1. And I have to tell you something. When the Ironhawks scored, that smaller crowd suddenly sounded a whole lot bigger. That was the moment I was waiting for. It showed what this building could become when the team gives the fans something to get excited about. There was genuine energy, and for a few moments, you forgot about the empty seats.
Another thing worth mentioning was the entertainment during intermissions. The fan experience team did a very good job keeping everyone engaged with games, giveaways, and merchandise. Those little things matter, especially when you’re trying to build a new fan base and attract families. It wasn’t just about what was happening on the ice. There was a real effort to make the entire evening entertaining, and I appreciated that.
And then came the third period. Or, as I like to call it, the greatest concession discovery of the evening. An $8 root beer float. Now THAT is what I’m talking about. And let me tell you, this wasn’t some tiny cup with a scoop of ice cream floating around in disappointment. This thing was MASSIVE. Cold, delicious, and worth every penny. There I was, enjoying what might have been the highlight of my evening, when Reading decided to ruin the celebration by extending its lead to 3-1. But honestly, I was too busy appreciating this beautiful frozen creation to be overly concerned. And I cannot stress this enough. THE ROOT BEER FLOAT WAS HUGE.
By this point, I was also insanely full. So while the food might be expensive, apparently it gets the job done because I genuinely don’t think I’ll need to eat again for another 48 hours. But getting back to hockey, midway through the third period, Trenton had a golden opportunity with a five-on-three power play. Two extra players on the ice, a chance to bring the game within one, and an opportunity to get the crowd back into it. And then…nothing. Absolutely nothing came from it. The Royals held strong, the opportunity disappeared, and eventually the final horn sounded with Reading taking home a 3-1 victory.
So what did we learn from this Wednesday night adventure in Trenton? We learned that professional hockey is alive in New Jersey’s capital city. We learned that $20 tickets can still exist in a world where everything seems outrageously expensive. We learned that even a smaller crowd can create some pretty impressive noise when given a reason. We learned that apparently 15 people believe a Flyers jersey is appropriate attire for any hockey game. And most importantly, we learned that an $8 root beer float might be the best deal in the entire building.
But jokes aside, I walked away impressed with what the Ironhawks are building. Is everything perfect? Of course not. Would I have loved to see a packed arena? Absolutely. But there is something special about having professional hockey right here in Trenton. Something accessible, something fun, and something that families can enjoy without spending hundreds of dollars just to get through the door. The team is new, the fan base is growing, and while a Wednesday night might not showcase the full potential of the atmosphere, I can certainly see what this place could become.
Would I bring my kids? Without hesitation. Will I be back? Absolutely. Will I be eating dinner at home before I arrive? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT. Because Trenton Makes, the World Takes… but Trenton also skates. And if you’re smart, you’ll save eight bucks for that root beer float.
