Saturday night, Tennessee became the 15th state to host a Stanley Cup Final game. After seeing and hearing the national media’s reaction to it all, it could be safely assumed nobody’s done it like that before.
Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons kicked things off at 11am — a full eight hours before game time — when he tweeted this:
I have been to Stanley Cup Final games in 21 different cities. I have never seen anything like the scene around tonight’s game in Nashville.
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) June 3, 2017
After that, the glowing reviews started pouring in. Here’s a snapshot at how the national media viewed the entire experience from inside Bridgestone Arena to the plaza outside to the festivities on Broadway. All tweets are listed in chronological order to best give a sense at how the party evolved throughout the day.
It’s nuts out here. No other Stanley Cup Final pregame has been like this. pic.twitter.com/aczmvWjleV
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 3, 2017
In my short time covering hockey, I have never seen anything like this. Nashville is ridiculous right now. pic.twitter.com/pSCuXeGDda
— Shawn McKenzie (@ShawnMcKenzieSN) June 3, 2017
It’s fun to see a city embrace a team like Nashville has embraced the @PredsNHL. City has gone nuts, in a wonderful way.
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) June 3, 2017
This is view of @BrdgstoneArena Plaza from corner across Broadway. Claustrophobics beware. #StanleyCupFinal pic.twitter.com/79iZw93W8K
— Shawn Roarke (@sroarke_nhl) June 3, 2017
Crowd building in anticipation of Allan Jackson concert and game 3. Hockey in June in Nashville is awesome. pic.twitter.com/FGdmYFHYw8
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 3, 2017
Can’t recall seeing an arena this full for pregame warmups. It’s jammed. Some of the party from outside has absolutely moved inside.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 3, 2017
I have never seen a crowd sttand at the start of warmups but the NSH crowd did and it didn’t sit for several minutes. And, it was loud!
— Shawn Roarke (@sroarke_nhl) June 3, 2017
Not premature: Tonight’s first star – City of Nashville.
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) June 4, 2017
P.K. Subban on Game 3: “I think it’ll be one of the best sports atmospheres, definitely in NHL history.” He’s not wrong.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 4, 2017
This crowd. Wow. This crowd. Unbelievable atmosphere.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 4, 2017
I’ve worked Montreal’s Bell Centre in full, deafening playoff roar. Nashville’s punishing thunder tonight is louder than that #StanleyCup
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) June 4, 2017
I’m not in Nashville for the SCF but, man, does that seem like an absolutely incredible atmosphere.
— Amalie Benjamin (@AmalieBenjamin) June 4, 2017
I have never heard a hockey arena this loud in my life. Ever. This feels like Yankee Stadium in the 2001 World Series. #Preds #StanleyCup
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) June 4, 2017
I think we’re learning that we Canadians can learn something about being hockey fans from Nashville, Tennessee.
— Avi Goldberg (@AviGoldberg) June 4, 2017
People are often surprised when I list Nashville as one of my favourite places to call a game, terrific city with a great arena atmosphere.
— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) June 4, 2017
I don’t think these fans have been in their seats once during this entire game. Amazing atmosphere. #Smashville
— Jamie Hersch (@JamieHersch) June 4, 2017
this game was worth the $1k price of admission
— dom nashville (@domluszczyszyn) June 4, 2017
What a scene in Nashville. They really wanted to make it a party tonight. It is.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) June 4, 2017
Wow.
Nashville wow. The fans here just blew our heads off #Smashville
— Adam Wylde (@AdamWylde) June 4, 2017
I’m back inside the arena, and I can still hear the crowd outside.
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) June 4, 2017
ESPN analyst Barry Melrose, who played and coached, said the atmosphere in Nashville was the best he’s ever seen. And he’s seen a lot.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) June 4, 2017
And there were even a few more praises that featured questionable language.
Be proud, Nashville. The Predators may have earned this place in NHL history with the play on the ice but it’s you — the city and the fans — that left the impression. Can’t wait to see what’s in store on Monday.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Kevin Klimek
