Announcement of Stadium Series Game in Denver
Since 2003 there have been 15 outdoor games played in the NHL; this year there will be three more. The Stadium Series game played at Coors Field between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings on Feb. 27 will be the NHL’s 18th outdoor game that counts in the regular season. Considering that it is the “Coors Light Stadium Series,” it is a wonder why it took so long to bring to Coors Field in the home state of Coors beer. Announced in January, the news of the Avalanche playing an outdoor game in Denver has had the organization and fans alike excited with anticipation.
The Stadium Series game happens to come in a year where the Avalanche are celebrating their 20th year of existence in Colorado. The combination of the year-long celebration and the arrival of the state’s first outdoor hockey game has sparked the creation of new jerseys for the club. Their usual jersey was changed, adding a Colorado shoulder patch to replace the old yeti foot that had been there since the beginning. The alternate third jerseys were completely changed, honoring the old Colorado Rockies hockey team by putting their logo on the chest of the dark blue uniform. A fourth jersey has been introduced as well that is only going to be used in the outdoor game, a sleek white sweater with a large Colorado “C” on the chest.
The Stadium Series game is a big deal in the NHL and is drawing a lot of excitement around the city, but even more so, is the alumni game that will be played the day prior. Many former Avalanche greats are meeting up to face an old rival in the Red Wings alumni. This game is eclipsing the main game in terms of people’s interest, especially to the casual hockey fan, but the weekend should prove to be a historical one for the city of Denver.
