2014 NHL Stadium Series explained
The 2014 NHL Stadium Series (branded the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series) was a series of four outdoor regular season National Hockey League (NHL) games played during the 2013–14 season. It was the inaugural season of the NHL Stadium Series and these events are distinct from the NHL Winter Classic and NHL Heritage Classic outdoor games. The Stadium Series games consisted of: the Los Angeles Kings against the Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on January 25, 2014;[1] the New Jersey Devils against the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx of New York City on January 26;[2] the New York Islanders against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium on January 29; and the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Chicago Blackhawks at Soldier Field in Chicago on March 1, 2014.[3]
The Stadium Series was staged in between the season's two other outdoor games: the Detroit Red Wings hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2014 NHL Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on January 1, 2014; and the Vancouver Canucks hosting the Ottawa Senators in the 2014 Heritage Classic at BC Place in Vancouver on March 2. After the conclusion of their two Stadium Series games, the Rangers had played four outdoor games, the most of any NHL team, having previously participated in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic and the 1991 exhibition game in Las Vegas.
Dodger Stadium (January 25)
| Outdoor: | yes |
| Game Name: | NHL Stadium Series: Los Angeles |
| Visitor: | Anaheim Ducks |
| Home: | Los Angeles Kings |
| Visitor Total: | 3 |
| Home Total: | 0 |
| Visitor Per1: | 2 |
| Visitor Per2: | 0 |
| Visitor Per3: | 1 |
| Home Per1: | 0 |
| Home Per2: | 0 |
| Home Per3: | 0 |
| Date: | January 25, 2014 |
| Arena: | Dodger Stadium |
| City: | Los Angeles, California |
| Attendance: | 54,099 |
The first game of the series at Dodger Stadium featured performances by Kiss and Five for Fighting before the game and between the periods, and the opening ceremonies included Vin Scully and Wayne Gretzky.[4]
The Anaheim Ducks shut-out the Los Angeles Kings in the inaugural Stadium Series game, 3–0, with Jonas Hiller making 36 saves.
Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season
| Penalty summary |
|---|
| Period | Team | Player | Penalty | Time | PIM |
|---|
| 1st | align=center | LAK | Colin Fraser | Roughing | align=center | 13:08 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | ANA | Patrick Maroon | Roughing | align=center | 13:08 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | ANA | Bryan Allen | Holding | align=center | 15:49 | align=center | 2:00 |
| 2nd | align=center | ANA | Tim Jackman | Fighting – Major | align=center | 02:39 | align=center | 5:00 |
| align=center | LAK | Kyle Clifford | Fighting – Major | align=center | 02:39 | align=center | 5:00 |
| align=center | LAK | Slava Voynov | Delay of game – Puck over glass | align=center | 03:09 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | ANA | Hampus Lindholm | Interference | align=center | 06:38 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | LAK | Jeff Carter | High sticking | align=center | 07:52 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | LAK | Drew Doughty | Tripping | align=center | 14:46 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | ANA | Kyle Palmieri | Hooking | align=center | 19:23 | align=center | 2:00 |
| 3rd | align=center | ANA | Kyle Palmieri | Goaltender interference | align=center | 01:43 | align=center | 2:00 | |
| Shots by period |
|---|
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total |
|---|
| Anaheim | align=center | 7 | align=center | 6 | align=center | 8 | align=center | 21 |
| Los Angeles | align=center | 20 | align=center | 6 | align=center | 10 | align=center | 36 | |
| Power play opportunities |
|---|
| Team | Goals/Opportunities |
|---|
| Anaheim | 0/3 |
| Los Angeles | 0/4 | |
Team rosters
Frederik Andersen and Martin Jones dressed as the back-up goaltenders. Neither entered the game.
Yankee Stadium games
The second and third Stadium Series games were played at Yankee Stadium, when the Rangers played the Devils and the Islanders on January 26 and 29, 2014, respectively.[5] The Rangers were considered the away team for both games; their home arena, Madison Square Garden, receives tax-exempt status, but only if the Rangers do not "cease playing" home games at MSG, generally interpreted as playing any "home" game outside of MSG.[6]
January 26
The second game of the 2014 NHL Stadium Series took place on January 26, 2014, and was part one of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium in New York City, featuring the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers. This was the NHL's first outdoor game in New York City. The Devils were the designated home team for this game.
The game was originally supposed to start at 12:30 PM, but it was delayed for over an hour due to sun glare and it started at 1:38 PM.
The New York Rangers won 7–3 behind Henrik Lundqvist's 19 saves. After being down 3–2 in the first period, the Rangers stormed back and romped over the Devils by scoring four unanswered goals in the second period and adding another goal by Derek Stepan on a penalty shot in the third period. Mats Zuccarello netted two goals for the Rangers. Also scoring for the Rangers included Rick Nash, Marc Staal and Carl Hagelin. Patrik Elias scored two goals for the Devils and Travis Zajac scored one goal.
| Outdoor: | yes |
| Game Name: | NHL Stadium Series: New York |
| Visitor: | New York Rangers |
| Home: | New Jersey Devils |
| Visitor Total: | 7 |
| Home Total: | 3 |
| Visitor Per1: | 2 |
| Visitor Per2: | 4 |
| Visitor Per3: | 1 |
| Home Per1: | 3 |
| Home Per2: | 0 |
| Home Per3: | 0 |
| Date: | January 26, 2014 |
| Arena: | Yankee Stadium |
| City: | Bronx, New York |
| Attendance: | 50,105 |
Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season
| Penalty summary |
|---|
| Period | Team | Player | Penalty | Time | PIM |
|---|
| 1st | align=center | NYR | Brian Boyle | Roughing | align=center | 02:01 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | NJD | Patrik Elias | Tripping | align=center | 02:20 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | NYR | Derick Brassard | Tripping | align=center | 10:38 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | NJD | Mark Fayne | Holding | align=center | 19:11 | align=center | 2:00 |
| 2nd | align=center | NJD | Marek Zidlicky | Cross-checking | align=center | 06:14 | align=center | 2:00 |
| 3rd | align=center | NJD | Travis Zajac | Holding (Penalty Shot) | align=center | 10:06 | align=center | 0:00 | |
| Shots by period |
|---|
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total |
|---|
| NY Rangers | align=center | 10 | align=center | 11 | align=center | 5 | align=center | 26 |
| New Jersey | align=center | 10 | align=center | 7 | align=center | 5 | align=center | 22 | |
| Power play opportunities |
|---|
| Team | Goals/Opportunities |
|---|
| NY Rangers | 0/3 |
| New Jersey | 1/2 | |
Team rosters
January 29
| Outdoor: | yes |
| Game Name: | NHL Stadium Series: New York |
| Visitor: | New York Rangers |
| Home: | New York Islanders |
| Visitor Total: | 2 |
| Home Total: | 1 |
| Visitor Per1: | 0 |
| Visitor Per2: | 1 |
| Visitor Per3: | 1 |
| Home Per1: | 0 |
| Home Per2: | 1 |
| Home Per3: | 0 |
| Date: | January 29, 2014 |
| Arena: | Yankee Stadium |
| City: | Bronx, New York |
| Attendance: | 50,027 |
The third game of the 2014 NHL Stadium Series took place on January 29, 2014, and was the second part of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium in New York City, featuring the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers, who played their second straight game outdoors. The Islanders were the designated home team for this game.
The Rangers won the game 2–1 after overcoming a 1–0 deficit in the second period. Henrik Lundqvist made 30 saves in the game, earning the victory for the Rangers. Benoit Pouliot and Daniel Carcillo scored for the Rangers, while Brock Nelson scored the Islanders' lone goal.
Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season
| Penalty summary |
|---|
| Period | Team | Player | Penalty | Time | PIM |
|---|
| 1st | align=center | NYR | Brad Richards | Hooking | align=center | 03:24 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | NYR | Mats Zuccarello | Interference | align=center | 17:57 | align=center | 2:00 |
| 2nd | align=center | NYI | Kyle Okposo | Hooking | align=center | 10:11 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | NYR | Rick Nash | Diving | align=center | 10:11 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | NYR | Daniel Carcillo | Roughing | align=center | 12:59 | align=center | 2:00 |
| 3rd | align=center | NYI | Thomas Vanek | Hooking | align=center | 00:23 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | NYR | Brian Boyle | Cross-checking | align=center | 19:57 | align=center | 2:00 | |
| Shots by period |
|---|
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total |
|---|
| NY Rangers | align=center | 6 | align=center | 14 | align=center | 14 | align=center | 34 |
| NY Islanders | align=center | 10 | align=center | 15 | align=center | 6 | align=center | 31 | |
| Power play opportunities |
|---|
| Team | Goals/Opportunities |
|---|
| NY Rangers | 0/1 |
| NY Islanders | 0/4 | |
Team rosters
Soldier Field (March 1)
| Outdoor: | yes |
| Game Name: | NHL Stadium Series: Chicago |
| Visitor: | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| Home: | Chicago Blackhawks |
| Visitor Total: | 1 |
| Home Total: | 5 |
| Visitor Per1: | 0 |
| Visitor Per2: | 0 |
| Visitor Per3: | 1 |
| Home Per1: | 1 |
| Home Per2: | 2 |
| Home Per3: | 2 |
| Date: | March 1, 2014 |
| Arena: | Soldier Field |
| City: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Attendance: | 62,921 |
The fourth and final game of the 2014 NHL Stadium Series took place on March 1, 2014, at Soldier Field in Chicago, featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Chicago Blackhawks. The game concluded Hockey Weekend Across America.
Chicago defeated Pittsburgh 5–1, with Corey Crawford making 31 saves. Jonathan Toews scored two goals for Chicago. Chicago's other three goals were scored by Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg and Bryan Bickell. James Neal scored Pittsburgh's lone goal.
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| Period | Team | Goal | Assist(s) | Time | Score |
|---|
| 1st | align=center | CHI | Patrick Sharp (29) | Jonathan Toews (37) and Nick Leddy (18) | align=center | 15:35 | align=center | 1–0 CHI |
| 2nd | align=center | CHI | Jonathan Toews (20) | Unassisted | align=center | 10:48 | align=center | 2–0 CHI |
| align=center | CHI | Kris Versteeg (10) | Patrick Kane (37) and Michal Handzus (8) | align=center | 16:43 | align=center | 3–0 CHI |
| 3rd | align=center | PIT | James Neal (22) | Unassisted | align=center | 06:21 | align=center | 3–1 CHI |
| align=center | CHI | Bryan Bickell (9) | Brandon Saad (23) and Michal Rozsival (6) | align=center | 13:57 | align=center | 4–1 CHI |
| align=center | CHI | Jonathan Toews (21) | Patrick Sharp (31) | align=center | 17:52 | align=center | 5–1 CHI | |
Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season
| Penalty summary |
|---|
| Period | Team | Player | Penalty | Time | PIM |
|---|
| 1st | align=center | PIT | Simon Despres | Tripping | align=center | 04:12 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | PIT | Tanner Glass | Boarding | align=center | 11:48 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | CHI | Johnny Oduya | Holding | align=center | 17:46 | align=center | 2:00 |
| 2nd | align=center | PIT | Simon Despres | High-sticking | align=center | 02:03 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | CHI | Duncan Keith | Delay of game | align=center | 05:56 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | PIT | Chris Kunitz | Roughing | align=center | 06:50 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | CHI | Johnny Oduya | Interference | align=center | 07:09 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | CHI | Duncan Keith | High-sticking | align=center | 11:38 | align=center | 2:00 |
| align=center | CHI | Michal Rozsival | Tripping | align=center | 18:42 | align=center | 2:00 |
| 3rd | align=center | CHI | Marcus Kruger | Delay of the game | align=center | 10:29 | align=center | 2:00 | |
| Shots by period |
|---|
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total |
|---|
| Pittsburgh | align=center | 5 | align=center | 13 | align=center | 14 | align=center | 32 |
| Chicago | align=center | 14 | align=center | 17 | align=center | 9 | align=center | 40 | |
| Power play opportunities |
|---|
| Team | Goals/Opportunities |
|---|
| Pittsburgh | 0/6 |
| Chicago | 0/3 | |
Team rosters
Uniforms
Each team wore specially-designed uniforms for the event, except for the Devils, who wore throwback uniforms in the team's original red and green color scheme. The Islanders unveiled their Stadium Series jersey on November 27, 2013.[7] The Ducks and Kings jointly unveiled their Stadium Series jerseys on December 3.[8] The Penguins unveiled their Stadium Series jersey on December 13.[9] The Blackhawks and Rangers unveiled their Stadium Series jerseys on December 20.[10] [11] Penguins goalie Marc-André Fleury wore a Pittsburgh Steelers inspired goalie mask for the Penguins-Blackhawks game.[12]
Reality television series
The inaugural Stadium Series was the basis for a seven-part documentary called NHL Revealed: A Season Like No Other, premiering January 22, 2014, on the NBC Sports Network, and debuting in Canada the next day on CBC. The series was meant to differ from the pre-existing HBO 24/7: Road to the NHL Winter Classic with an added focus on star players' preparations for the 2014 Olympic Tournament in Sochi, Russia, of which NBCSN and CBC were major broadcasters.
Television ratings
- Game 1 produced a 0.35 national rating and 622,000 viewers on the NBC Sports Network. While unimpressive, the numbers were considerably higher than average for NBCSN's ratings-challenged West Coast games. In Los Angeles, the game drew a 2.38 local rating, making NBCSN the highest rated cable channel (and second-highest rated overall) in the area during the broadcast. It was the network's best performance for an NHL regular season game in the market.
- Game 2 produced a 1.3 national rating and 2.091 million viewers for NBC, good enough to beat all non-regionalized indoor regular season broadcasts since the NHL's return to NBC in 2005, but not quite coming close to the viewership attracted by Winter Classic-branded outdoor games. The game drew a 5.1 local rating in New York, tying Game 1 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals as the best performance in the market for the current incarnation of the NHL on NBC. The mark stood until the Rangers' strong Stanley Cup playoff run a few months later.
- Game 3 produced a 0.41 national rating and 682,000 viewers on NBCSN, rather ordinary numbers for the Wednesday Night Rivalry franchise. In New York, it drew a 3.58 local rating, the best performance in the market for an NHL regular season game on NBCSN.
- Game 4, played in prime time on NBC, produced a 2.1 national rating, the highest rating for a regular season game outside the Winter Classic since NBC took over the broadcast contract.[13]
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Dodger Stadium to host Kings, Ducks in January. NHL.com. NHL.com. May 7, 2013.
- News: Yankee Stadium to host Rangers, Devils, Isles in 2014. NHL. May 15, 2013. May 15, 2013.
- News: Belson. Ken. N.H.L. Stadium Series Announces Date in Chicago. May 7, 2013. New York Times. May 1, 2013.
- Web site: Anaheim Ducks - Los Angeles Kings - January 25th, 2014.
- Web site: Rangers to play twice at Yankee Stadium . Rangers.nhl.com . December 23, 2013.
- Web site: Rangers on Road in the Bronx? Money May Be Why . New York Times . January 25, 2014 . January 3, 2017.
- Web site: New York Islanders unveil jersey for 2014 Stadium Series game at Yankee Stadium . Nhl.com . November 27, 2013 . December 23, 2013.
- Web site: Ducks, Kings unveil specially-designed look for 2014 Coors Lights Stadium Series outdoor game . Nhl.com . December 23, 2013.
- Web site: Pens Unveil Stadium Series Jersey . Penguins.nhl.com . December 13, 2013 . December 23, 2013.
- Web site: 2014 Stadium Series Jersey Unveiled . Blackhawks.nhl.com . December 23, 2013.
- Web site: Blueshirts United - Stadium Series Jersey Unveiled . December 21, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131223231952/http://blueshirtsunited.com/videos/4636/stadium-series-jersey-unveiled . December 23, 2013 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: Pens goalie shows the Steelers some love . March 1, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140301203153/http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Pens-goalie-shows-the-Steelers-some-love/d1b4f055-8e8f-458d-a24b-836f314e44a1 . March 1, 2014 . dead . mdy-all .
- Pergament, Alan (March 2, 2014). Surprise, surprise, WNY was watching hockey Saturday night. The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
