Totally, deathray, some of the best games I have ever seen were pick-up games, on outdoor rinks, where everyone had some form of hockey background and were playing because they just wanted to do so.
I went to a Caps game when I was living in DC, it was the last reg season game, meant nothing, and was against the Leafs. It cost me $90 USD from a skeevy scalper at the MCI Center. Regular price was $65 USD for the lower bowl, which really is not too bad until you try to buy for the wife, a couple of kids, pop, chips, beer, souvenirs... and that is one of the cheaper rinks. You are right, fuck all of the rich pricks.