The Des Moines Buccaneers kicked off their season last week against the Fargo Force. The Bucs lost a close game 5-4. The team’s next game is this Friday at 6:15 p.m. at the Covelli Centre against the Youngstown Phantoms.

The Bucs could be a cheap entertainment option for college students.  Single game arena level adult tickets can be purchased for $14. Season tickets are $345.  For more information about ticket options and pricings, go to www.bucshockey.com.

Senior Brooke Feehrer was a marketing intern for the Bucs last year. She helped plan and set up different promotions. She said the games and prizes give college students something fun to do.

“It’s close, they’re cheap tickets, really good entertainment and an alternative to sitting in your room, especially in those cold winter months,” Feehrer said.

The Bucs have different promotions throughout the season. Twice a month, the team has drink specials for fans. On Dec. 2, a “Diamond Dig” is scheduled for after the game. In this contest, women dig through ice for a diamond from Christopher’s Fine Jewelry. Whoever finds the diamond gets to keep it.

Chuck-A-Puck was a promotion Feehrer helped organize. Fans purchase pucks for a dollar and chuck them on the ice between periods.  If a fan hits a vendor’s sign set up on the ice, he or she wins a prize.

“Sometimes it was a gift certificate, sometimes it was a coupon for a meal and sometimes we had Bucs tickets,” Feehrer said. “It depends on what time of the year it was for what incentive we gave.”

Sophomore Becca Lewis said she is excited about the Bucs season. She said that it gives college students a sport to follow and be excited about.

“It’s a fresh sport,” Lewis said. “It’s faster paced than football or baseball, and the atmosphere is always really exciting.”

This year’s rookie Justin Hussar has started the season leading the Bucs with two goals. Returning Buccaneer Patrick Kirtland has also started his season well with one goal and one assist. These players will help the Bucs in facing their rivals, including the Force, the Tri-City Storm and the Chicago Steel.

The Bucs offer special discounted tickets for groups of people. Last year, Drake sororities and fraternities had outings to the Bucs game.

Sophomore Alexis Rose, a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, went to a Bucs game with her Greek sisters last year. She said the game was exciting because she was with a big group of friends, which added a social aspect to the game, especially for those that might not understand hockey.

Whether you go for the game, the socialization, the fights or the prizes, the Bucs are an entertainment outlet for all college students to use and an alternative to sitting in your room during the cold winter months.