If you have the option (dunno where you are geographically), I'd suggest finding a college hockey team and going to one of their games first. It gives you a chance to see a game live and, depending on what colleges you have around you, gives you a chance to see and deal with a smaller, less intense crowd.

For instance, at my university's hockey games, it's family and boyfriends/girlfriends only generally. But at the State University, there's big crowds and they play in the same places our NHL team plays because it's The State Of Hockey up here,and we tend to be fannish about our hockey. (on the other hand, *I've* played in some of the arenas our NHL team plays in.)

I have to admit, I *love* going to NHL games. I think the fans can be great, and hockey is seriously the best live sport, in my opinion.