Between last Saturday night and Wednesday night, the National Hockey League (NHL) had 3 outdoor games, called the NHL Stadium Series. Saturday’s game was in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, between the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings. The games on Sunday and Wednesday were both in Yankee Stadium, with the New York Rangers playing the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, and the Rangers playing again on Wednesday against the New York Islanders.
While I was not at any of these Stadium Series games, I would have much rather gone to the Dodger Stadium, but of course, I’m not a cold weather guy. They had a beach volleyball court on the field by the ice rink, among other things. 54,099 fans showed up to watch the game between the Ducks and Kings, the second in 3 days between these teams. The excitement level was very high, although the fans were so far from the rink.
I’ve never seen a game dominated so much by one team everywhere except shots on goal. After the 1st period, the Ducks led 2-0, but had been outshot 20-7. When I saw the Kings had that many shots, I was wondering when most of them happened, even though I watched the game. The score stayed that way until an empty net goal with 1:29 remaining for the 3-0 final score. Ducks’ goalie Jonas Hiller saved all 36 of the Kings’ shots to earn the shutout.
The game on Sunday between the Rangers and the Devils was an offensive showcase. The Devils took a 3-1 lead 16:07 into the game, but then proceeded to cough up 6 consecutive goals to lose 7-3. Future Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur said the ice was the worst he ever played on, but does that really explain giving up 7 goals on just 26 shots by the Rangers? Patrik Elias and Mats Zuccarello both had 2 goals for New York, in front of 50,105 fans.
Wednesday had the most competitive of these 3 games in the NHL Stadium Series so far. The Rangers returned to Yankee Stadium to play the Islanders in front of over 50,000 fans again. There was no scoring in this game until late in the 2nd period. Brock Nelson scored for the Islanders with 1:27 remaining in the period, but 40 seconds later Benoit Pouliot tied the game for the Rangers. Daniel Carcillo scored in the 3rd period for the Rangers, and they held on for the 2-1 win.
The final game of the NHL Stadium Series will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago, between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks on March 1st. Judging by the crowds and the excitement of everyone involved in these outdoor games, they were a huge success. But I hope the NHL doesn’t play too many of these games in a season so they will lose their novelty.
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Sports With Frank Thomas
