Outdoor game in Colorado Springs was a complete disaster

[Fenway]

Fans are demanding refunds

Irate fans caught in 'horrific' traffic want refunds

From local writers

NHL forgets fans are the point with disastrous Stadium Series

NHL's outdoor game at Air Force stained by traffic jams, poor customer service

Click to read more...

 

[Lemonlimey]

Man dies following NHL hockey game at Air Force Academy - KRDO

eyewitness says he left his car stuck on a bridge in the 4 hour traffic jam stuck after the game and jumped

 

[DarthProbert]

People were warned of the traffic issues well ahead of game day, and 40,000 people decided it doesn't apply to them and they'll take their car instead of transit. NHL's fault. People can't go 2 hours without a $10 beer or a plate of poison that somehow is legally considered "food"...NHL's fault.

Link above says "fans are the point"; no they aren't. $ are. And they got theirs. There was no obstruction to collecting ticket money. There were no issues with getting the ads on the boards and ice. No issues getting the ads into the broadcast. The military worship segments went off without a hitch. Fans? Nothing but self-propelled wallets.

Edit: fans come first? Here's what $350 gets you:

 

[edog37]

Fans are demanding refunds

Irate fans caught in 'horrific' traffic want refunds

From local writers

NHL forgets fans are the point with disastrous Stadium Series

NHL's outdoor game at Air Force stained by traffic jams, poor customer service

The event was excellent. The fans aren’t the point at all. Ratings on TV were. And it was a huge win for the league combining some of our country’s finest at the Academy with hockey. If fans don’t realize this is a special event & to plan accordingly, then I don’t know what to tell you. The NHL didn’t refund my ticket at the 2011 Winter Classic with the rain & cheap shot on Crosby by Steckle, so I have no sympathy for those who didn’t plan accordingly.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Man dies following NHL hockey game at Air Force Academy - KRDO

eyewitness says he left his car stuck on a bridge in the 4 hour traffic jam stuck after the game and jumped

That’s not funny enough to be worth mocking a man’s death.

 

[zooperdooper]

As someone who was at the game it wasn't a disaster at all.

Despite the traffic, 90% of the crowd were in their seats at puck drop.

I thought it was an amazing atmosphere and everyone seemed to be having a good time. If you dressed appropriately it wasn't even that cold. Never been to an event like it!

No one forced anyone to wait in those stupidly long lines for beer, food or merchandise. How hard is it to go 3 hours without a beer?

Yeah the traffic was bad in the parking lots post game but who cares? I'm not going to let that overshadow a fun and unique night.

If the Avs won or didn't give up that goal in the last minute of the game I can guarantee there would be a lot less butthurt people.

 

[ItsFineImFine]

No one forced anyone to wait in those stupidly long lines for beer, food or merchandise. How hard is it to go 3 hours without a beer?

So true but people can't go two hours in a cinema without $9 popcorn.

 

[the4thlinegrinder]

That’s not funny enough to be worth mocking a man’s death.

I don't think he's joking.

"Details about the man's death have not been released, but witnesses told the Gazette that the man apparently fell to his death from a bridge just west of the academy's north gate during or after the game."

Irate fans post about 'epic fail' after massive traffic jam at Air Force Academy NHL game​

 

[tarheelhockey]

I don't think he's joking.

"Details about the man's death have not been released, but witnesses told the Gazette that the man apparently fell to his death from a bridge just west of the academy's north gate during or after the game."

Irate fans post about 'epic fail' after massive traffic jam at Air Force Academy NHL game​

Perhaps not, but the way it’s phrased doesn’t square with any source. My apologies if I misread the intent.

 

[gstommylee]

NHL, Air Force Academy release statement on Stadium Series game

Statement from the NHL and Air Force Academy regarding the stadium Series game.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Perhaps not, but the way it’s phrased doesn’t square with any source. My apologies if I misread the intent.

I don't see where you're seeing a joke in that post. What part of it were they trying to be funny in?

 

[edog37]

NHL, Air Force Academy release statement on Stadium Series game

Statement from the NHL and Air Force Academy regarding the stadium Series game.

good. Again people don’t plan ahead for these types of events.

 

[belair]

That’s not funny enough to be worth mocking a man’s death.

Not gonna lie--I laughed. Last thing I expected to see in a thread about a failed outdoor game was someone dying.

Tragic though.

 

[Roadrage]

People were warned of the traffic issues well ahead of game day, and 40,000 people decided it doesn't apply to them and they'll take their car instead of transit. NHL's fault. People can't go 2 hours without a $10 beer or a plate of poison that somehow is legally considered "food"...NHL's fault.

I don't think transit was an option to get to the base nor have helped much considering they would be subject to enter and exit through the same 2 gates.

 

[Jumptheshark]

What the hell were they thinking

 

[archangel2]

Watching the media it is interesting how the media who have nhl contracts are covering the story and those who fo not are covering the story

 

[Rob]

These outdoor games seem so overrated.
I guess as long as the NHL is raking in the $$$ they will continue.

 

[Bondurant]

Why was the game staged in Colorado Springs. Play the game at Mile High. Traffic is a tough issue to deal with but how many of these people aren't aware of construction projects? People I feel the most for are buying those $350 seats to see nothing. There's no excuse for that.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

These outdoor games jumped the shark a long time ago. Most people only know this game was played because of the backlash afterwards. But the people going there were there on their own account and they should simply not spend any money on the NHL in the future if they intend to punish the league for their shitty experience.

 

[TheLegend]

For these venues the league needs to take a lesson from NASCAR.

Many tracks charge more the higher up you go in the stands because of the visibility factor. Since there’s nothing in a stadium venue that can command “on the glass” seating environment, they should go to the visibility factor.

 

[GrkFlyersFan]

Why was the game staged in Colorado Springs. Play the game at Mile High. Traffic is a tough issue to deal with but how many of these people aren't aware of construction projects? People I feel the most for are buying those $350 seats to see nothing. There's no excuse for that.

The NHL likes to stage these things at military academies. They did a game at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and I'm sure they'll do one at West Point one day. Also, they already did one in Denver at Coors Field. Colorado Springs was something different.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

The event was excellent. The fans aren’t the point at all. Ratings on TV were.

The Stadium Series is all about the local fans. If it wasn't, do you really think they'd have one in Raleigh next year?

 

[edog37]

The Stadium Series is all about the local fans. If it wasn't, do you really think they'd have one in Raleigh next year?

spectacle events are all about the ratings. Carolina might host it but it’ll be with a marquee opponent.

 

[edog37]

These outdoor games seem so overrated.
I guess as long as the NHL is raking in the $$$ they will continue.

pretty much. I’m good with the Winter Classic, but anything more than that is overkill.

 

[Boxer Courage]

The statement linked above states that multiple attempts were made to warn of traffic issues, and people went anyway having been warned of this potential. They were told traffic jams were likely, so BE READY FOR JAMS if you go! Looks like just another instance of people shrugging off any personal responsibility for any inconvenience. It’s like going to buy a hot dog, being told that the hot dog warmer is broken and the dogs are cold, buying one and eating it anyway, and then complaining that it was cold. These types of people can’t be pleased no matter what you do.