Nashville, Tenn (WKRN) – Regardless of dropping to Tampa Bay, the 2023 Nashville Predator Stadium Collection had the fifth largest crowd in Nationwide Hockey League historical past.
For the natives of Nashville, internet hosting the stadium collection was a milestone of their hometown.
“I’ve lived right here my entire life, 66, and I’ve seen the way it’s grown. We had been actually joyful once we began skilled sports activities right here on the town,” stated David Patton, a Nashville resident. “We had been a season ticket. [holders] Since 2006, it has had the identical seats yearly.
Not solely was David Patton born and raised in Nashville, however he additionally raised two daughters in Music Metropolis. They provide a perspective that some right now won’t acknowledge.
“The Bridgestone Area and Nashville Predators made Nashville a secure metropolis to go downtown. We grew up not going downtown and when the predators got here, that was once we began seeing sturdy progress within the downtown Nashville space right now,” De Patton’s daughter stated.
The 2017 Stanley Cup Pred race additionally put Nashville to host main occasions, such because the NFL Draft and Grand Prix.
“I am an enormous hockey participant, and I’ve all the time been an enormous hockey participant, and one of many issues I stated this weekend was, ‘I am so joyful to see Nashville that took over the Braids and have become a metropolis of hockey,'” stated Rob Wisniewski, who traveled from New Jersey for the sport. .
Regardless of dwelling lots of of miles away, Ian Sales space traveled from Virginia to look at the sport.
“I grew up a Paul Kariya fan and when he was traded right here, I adopted him into the workforce,” Sales space stated. “Which means every little thing, particularly being right here after you missed the Cotton Bowl; I used to be upset as a result of I needed to miss that recreation. So after I discovered they had been internet hosting this, I would not miss it in any respect.”
This weekend’s stadium collection promotes Nashville as a metropolis that brings sports activities followers collectively.
“We’re thrilled that the NHL has acknowledged Nashville as a metropolis of hockey, and we’re thrilled that so many individuals are coming to us,” stated Laurie Patton.
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“We might wish to see a baseball workforce,” David Patton laughed.
A complete of 68,619 followers attended the 2023 Navy Federal Credit score Union NHL Stadium Collection at Nissan Stadium.
