White Vs. Black Protective Netting (23/30 Teams Use Black)
So it turns out that 23 out of 30 teams use black protective netting. I have no earthly idea why black wasn't made the official shade of netting and why 7 teams are allowed to use white. The white netting really is an eyesore. The NHL should make black netting a league-wide standard to protect idiot ownership (like in Toronto) from themselves.
Black in Boston (barely noticeable/looks great on TV):
White in Toronto (total eyesore/looks hideous on TV and even worse in person):
*Update* The following is a complete list of all teams and whether they use black or white netting:
Black:
Boston
Chicago
Ottawa
Montreal
Minnesota
Tampa Bay
Florida
Winnipeg
Nashville
Edmonton
Vancouver
New York (Islanders)
Colorado
Calgary
Detroit
New York (Rangers)
Pittsburgh
San Jose
Washington
Phoenix
Anaheim
Carolina
Los Angeles
White:
Toronto
New Jersey
Columbus (not 100% sure)
St. Louis
Buffalo
Philadelphia
Dallas
That's a good question, because you'd assume that white would clash a lot less than black netting if you were looking at the ice.
I'm just happy that the Toronto picture now provides me with a counter to the standard "look at how empty this non-traditional team's arena is!" That looks like an opening faceoff to me right there.
Id much rather not have the black mesh. Why the **** would I want to look through that when the ice is all white........
Have you ever been to a game at the ACC? The white mesh reflects so much light that it's way more distracting than black would be. Just because it's white doesn't mean it blends in with the ice. It definitely does not blend in at all.
Look at the pictures. In Boston, you can see the fans clearly. In Toronto, you can barely see anything. The black mesh is like it's not even there.
How's it look while actually sitting behind the netting?
Really bad. I went to see a blackhawks game a few years ago when Wendel Clark got his number retired.
The game was great, but I was sitting behind the net and the mesh was just awful. It took a lot away from the game, to be honest. I'd never sit behind that mesh again.
Have you ever been to a game at the ACC? The white mesh reflects so much light that it's way more distracting than black would be. Just because it's white doesn't mean it blends in with the ice. It definitely does not blend in at all.
Look at the pictures. In Boston, you can see the fans clearly. In Toronto, you can barely see anything. The black mesh is like it's not even there.
Yeah but the point isn't how it looks on tv or how it looks to the crowd across from them. We are supposed to be watching the game. Like another poster mentioned the white clashes less with the ice for those in the section who have to actually look through it. That is what should matter.
I'm just happy that the Toronto picture now provides me with a counter to the standard "look at how empty this non-traditional team's arena is!" That looks like an opening faceoff to me right there.
Toronto games are always 100% sold out. No idea what's going on in that one.
Yeah but the point isn't how it looks on tv or how it looks to the crowd across from them. We are supposed to be watching the game. Like another poster mentioned the white clashes less with the ice for those in the section who have to actually look through it. That is what should matter.
Says who? Have you personally watched games with both? I have personally watched a game with the white netting and it clashed with the ice plenty. It looked horrible.
United Center uses black. I forget it's even there, and I nearly always sit behind the net or in a corner.
Thanks for the input.
So we have first-hand information that the black is barely noticeable from a fan's perspective. And I can 100% vouch for the white netting being ugly and VERY noticeable at the arena. In fact, the very first thing you notice when you walk into the ACC are those ugly nets. They reflect a lot of light and make the arena look dingy. The difference between a Leafs and Raptors game is night and day.
this is the black netting at SBP. Similar at the Centre Bell.
black netting is fine for the fans in the arena. White netting is stupid.
OK, I'm actually pissed right now. Why is the league allowing those white monstrosities when the black looks perfect?
I just watched some highlights at NHL.com and you literally cannot even tell there is netting in Boston or Chicago. It's basically invisible and looks great on TV. Watching Leafs highlights, all you can see is the giant netting.
Right before puck drop for the start of the first, like that a lot.
Toronto fans really are terrible. They show up late, leave early, and spend half of every period in the luxury suites eating sushi and making business deals.
