Woody Paige: Stadium Series game at Air Force has dramatic highs and lows
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Woody PaigeFebruary 15, 2020 | updated 6 years ago
Fireworks shoot into the sky during the opening show of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.(Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) Chancey Bush The Gazette
The Stadium Series spectacular was an all-time high.
It also suffers incomparable lows.
We don’t need a roof, but we must persevere with The Highway to Hell. Alas, the Dante’s Inferno-like journey didn’t have a fairy-tale ending. The Avalanche melted like the Wicked Witch in the final minute.
In an Avalanche-Kings winter wonder that was as big as all outdoors and as exhilarating as the ride in an F35 Lightning II, the National Hockey League came with its Eh game to the Air Force Academy.
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) battles Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kurtis MacDermid (56) on the boards during the first period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
F-35 jets fly over the pregame activities before the Colorado Avalanche/Los Angles Kings game Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Chase Cloward, from Utah, gets pumped up before the start of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.(Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
King fan Carlos A. shows his spirit before the start of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
A light show shines over an F-16 fighter jet as the fly over zips over Falcon Stadium before the start of the Colorado/Los Angeles hockey game Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky (95) battles Los Angeles Kings right wing Tyler Toffoli (73) on the boards during the first period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Joonas Donskoi (72) battles Los Angeles Kings center Michael Amadio (10) for the puck during the first period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fireworks shoot into the sky during the opening show of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.(Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and right wing Joonas Donskoi (72) greet Air Force Academy cadets as they head to the locker room after the first period against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fans watch F-35 jets fly over the pregame activities during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) and the rest of the Avalanche team head back to the ice for the start of the second period against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher (37) skates back to the ice after a timeout during the second period against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Mike Blomeyer dressed in a white fur coat before the start of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) passes from his knees as Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) defends during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fans watch the game in the stands during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) battle Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) behind the Los Angeles Kings goal during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Payton Taylor, 10, shares a moment with Avalanche mascot Bernie during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Matt Calvert (11) skates toward the goal as Los Angeles Kings right wing Martin Frk (29) defends during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) try to fight off the defense of Los Angeles Kings right wing Martin Frk (29) during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
U.S. Air Force cadets sit in chairs next to the ice rink during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Matt Calvert (11) battles Los Angeles Kings defenseman Joakim Ryan (6) for the puck during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
People fill the stands with just minutes before the start of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.(Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche players celebrate after Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) scored during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
A fan reacts while watching the game in the stands during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) fights off Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) as he skates toward the goal during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fans watch the game in the stands during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Fans watch the Colorado Avalanche play the Los Angeles Kings during the third period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. The Kings won 3-1. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Country singer Sam Hunt performs during intermission of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
A Colorado Avalanche fan cheers for his team against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. The Kings won 3-1. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado right wing Joonas Donskoi battles for the puck with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty and goaltender Jonathan Quick during the third period Saturday at the Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium.
Fans watch the game in the stands during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Nicole Pena and Erick Orellana, residents of Los Angeles, take a selfie before the start of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Fans take their seats before the start of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Avalanche mascot Bernie high-fives fans in the stands during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) warms up before the Kings’ game agains the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) warms up before the game against the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) takes a shot on goal against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during the first period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Country singer Sam Hunt performs during intermission of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher (37) passes from the ice while Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3) defends during the first period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Matt Calvert (11) skates past Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) for a shot on goal against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during the first period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and his teammates walk to the ice before their game against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The Los Angeles Kings warm up before their game against the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher (37) passes the puck behind the Los Angeles Kings goal as Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3) defends during the first period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) takes the rebound against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) walks off the ice after the second period against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. Girard tied the game at 1 with a goal late in the period. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) passes behind Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) skates down the ice during the second period against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) battles Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) for the puck during the second period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves (27) clears the puck out of the Colorado end during the third period Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. The Kings won 3-1. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings leave the ice after the game Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Falcon Stadium on Air Force Academy as part of the NHL Stadium Series. The Kings won 3-1. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Country singer Sam Hunt performs during intermission of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Fans during the game in the stands at the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
The 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Scenes during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
The 2020 NHL Stadium Series Colorado Avalanche hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. The Avalanche lost to the Kings by a score of 3-1. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
No one cared that temperatures dropped below freezing or the hot dogs were served as chilly dogs, but everyone was boiling and bothered by long lines to the parking lots, through the metal detectors, at the beer concession stand toward seats that were no longer available.
After the second period, I met an elderly couple of Avs fanatics from Thornton who had never been to the Air Force Academy before. “Took us five hours. We just got here,’’ said the wife, whose misty breath was steaming. “We have to find a place to sit, and I have a bad back. Where’s the elevator down?’’ I had to tell her there was no elevator down. “Tom, we’re going home.’’
The Avalanche lost to the Kings 3-1 on a goal with 39.5 seconds remaining, followed by an empty-netter.
The Avs would, could, should have tied the Blues, who lost earlier Saturday, for first place in the Western Conference. Instead, the pedestrian Kings eventually walked past the Avs, who were reduced to a puddle.
At 1-1 in the final period, it seemed that there could be an overtime, perhaps a shootout, and the people heading north and south would enjoy a glorious conclusion.
Yet, this was a hockey night like no other.
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An NHL regular-season, or postseason, game never had been played so high — 6,621 above sea level at field level.
Based on my walks around the stadium and the sounds and smells, this might have been the highest crowd in NHL history, too. If you get my drift.
Considering the success of the extravaganza, once everyone managed to make it to the stadium, the NHL should bring the Stadium Series back to Colorado Springs.
But only after the construction on I-25 is completed in 2047, and a train along the Front Range is approved in 2103.
Falcon Stadium has experienced many memorable moments since being built 58 years ago (at a cost of $3.5 million) — presidents at graduations, concerts (among the performers country music stars Blake Shelton and, Saturday night between periods, Sam Hunt) and approximately 300 college football games, including the 2002 Fighting Falcons-Fighting Irish affair that attracted a record 56,409.
Air Force’s very own hockey team has a tough act to follow with its Faceoff at Falcon Stadium Monday night against archrival Colorado College. The tickets are cheaper, and the traffic will be lighter, and somebody from Colorado will win this time.
The NHL began the last of three Stadium Series games with a plethora of festivities. An original F16 was parked just outside the rink, and four F35 Lightning IIs did a fly-by (which should have occurred over the Interstate, where at least half of the ticket holders were trapped at the 6 p.m. start). The Air Force band played on, and the cadets marched on. Two paratroopers in uniforms adorned with neon lights dropped in, and representatives of gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey teams and the Paralympic Sled hockey teams were introduced.
Finally, the game itself.
The Avs and the Kings, owned by dueling billionaires with close Colorado ties, played coy and tight early until L.A. scored with 5:59 left in the first period on a ricocheting post-shot rebounded in. The Avs responded in the last minute of the second period on a serious solo shot by Samuel Girard.
The game was tied into the last minute of the last period when Tyler Toffoli produced his second of three goals, the first NHL hat trick outdoors. Kings goalie Jonathan Quick would have made Jonathan Swift proud.
The night of marvelous highs and dreadful lows was over.
Except for the drive home.
(If you read this Sunday morning, all 43,574 of us are immobile at the stadium.)
