Not surprisingly, given the NHL’s student-friendly ticketing policies for Ohio State University students, the Columbus Dispatch’s Brian Hedger reports that we’ll see mostly…blue…at Ohio Stadium this Saturday:
Historically, there have been times when Nationwide Arena has transformed into an opponent’s home away from home. That shouldn’t be the case Saturday at Ohio Stadium, where the Blue Jackets will face the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series matchup. Despite the Red Wings’ large following as one of the NHL’s “Original Six” franchises, the expectation is the vast majority of 90,000-plus fans will be pulling for the guys with a cannon-crested jersey.
“I think it’s going to be, and I don’t know this for a fact, but 95% Blue Jackets fans,” Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell said. “I know we’ve kind of dominated the (ticket) market, which is good.
“There’ll be some Detroit fans, of course. They’ve got great, loyal fans up there. The difference is this is our first outdoor game for the Blue Jackets, where the Red Wings have played in (four) already. They’ve done this before in other venues, but I still think with the rivalry we have with Detroit that we’ll get a number of fans from … that city up North.”
Speaking of “TCUN,” Waddell is originally from the Detroit area and played collegiately at Northern Michigan University. It’s been a long time since he’s lived there, though, and his allegiance is to Columbus now — since leaving the Carolina Hurricanes to take over as the Blue Jackets’ top hockey executive last spring. Waddell has learned a lot about his new team’s makeup, traditions and history, which doesn’t include the type of long-term success that begets national exposure.
This outdoor game is the only scheduled national television appearance for the Blue Jackets this season, so they’re only guaranteed one shot to make a branding impact outside of Ohio. They’re not going to waste the opportunity.
The Blue Jackets, who lost star Johnny Gaudreau to an offseason tragedy Aug. 29 before losing some key players in October to injuries, weren’t expected to contend for a playoff spot. Instead, they’ve overcome long odds to put themselves in the thick of a playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Arguably, they are the league’s biggest “feel good” story this season.
Continued with discussion of the playoff importance of the home-and-home series between Columbus and Detroit on Thursday and Saturday…
And Nathan Hart’s note about parking for Saturday’s game is scary:
Where can you park for the outdoor game?
Parking lots at Ohio Stadium open at 8 a.m. Saturday. Other lots around the stadium are available for parking as well, with rates starting at $50 and going up to $200.
You can prepurchase parking tickets on OSU’s website.
There will also be day-of-the-game parking available in a number of lots on the west side of OSU’s campus. Parking in these spots start at $30 and can only be purchased via credit card on March 1.
A full parking map is available on OSU’s website..
