By Pearl Allison Lo

SANTA CLARA– Catchy songs performed by Neon Velvet on stage set the mood at Spectator Plaza during the pre-game festivities. Among other activities and special opportunities, fans were able to take a picture on a Zamboni, with a giant “This is Sharks Territory” sign and with the giant SAP Center shark head. Giveaways include free stress pucks with teal from Sharks Ice, Geico foam hockey sticks with an opening for you to put them around your head and Authentic Fan signs that on one side read, ‘I was an authentic fan at the first outdoor game ever.’ Being a part of the crowd also meant seeing the awed faces of fans as they passed through the gates, including a kid’s shock at the size of the crowd when his mom put him atop her shoulders.

The NHL takeover of the Levi’s Stadium app to link cell phone lights with musical performances increased in intensity throughout the game. Perhaps it could have been more effective through the NHL app. Possible reasons for lack of participation may have been because people missed the announcement, were away from their seats, were concerned about battery life, security, did not know how to or did not want to download an app they did not have yet.

The total attendance was 70,205. Commissioner Bettman believed, “…of the Stadium Series games it was the most well-attended.”

Asked about the crowd noise, San Jose  Sharks’ Coach Todd McLellan responded, “You could tell it was loud.  But it’s not as loud as the Shark tank with 20,000 people and a ceiling over top of you.  You know, you have to yell down the bench. But the noise dissipated and kind of went up and out.”

On the results plus the atmosphere, the Sharks’ Brent Burns replied, “It’s tough not to win, but…it’s a pretty amazing experience to play in a place like that…”

Teammate Joe Pavelski stated, “…Losing just sucks…in any setting. Today would have been a better event with the win…An event like this, you expect a lot. It didn’t disappoint. It was awesome being out there. It was the fans, fireworks…”

McLellan added on the loss, “But maybe this was a little more significance, obviously, because we had — this was our show.  These were our fans. This is Sharks Territory, if you want, that’s probably the best way to put it.

Asked about the ice, McLellan replied, “I thought Dan and his staff did a tremendous job of putting it together, and considering we’re playing in California and the temperature is 60° or whatever it might be, it held up very well. I didn’t think our group, especially early in the game, understood the impact that that ice could have. It took us between periods to adjust and simplify, and we used that word before the game as well.”

San Jose’s Logan Couture mimicked the unexpectedness, “Tonight, the ice was so, I don’t want to say bad, but it wasn’t what we’re used to, so it was tough to make plays through the neutral zone.”

Los Angeles Kings’ Coach Daryl Sutter added, “It’s hard to have great ice because it was so humid as the game went on.  But I think they were doing everything they could to get snow off…” 

Regarding Los Angeles just having played a Stadium Series as an upper hand, Sutter didn’t think there was an advantage, but Kings’ Marian Gaborik replied, “Maybe a little bit…”

On highlights, McLellan mentioned, “Of course tonight walking out, you talk about moments where the hair stands up on your neck, and tonight was one of those moments when you walked out. 

Couture similarly added and elaborated, “ …I think the coolest part was walking up to the ice, coming off after periods. Some of the times, you’re coming off alone, because guys are getting their skate cards on, and the fans are all standing and cheering and chanting your name individually. It’s a feeling that’s pretty indescribable.”

The stadium atmosphere may have carried onto the ice as McLellan admitted, “I’d be lying if I said there were a couple of times where guys were slow jumping on the ice because maybe their eyes were wandering, maybe their minds were wandering, but that’s human.” 

When asked what  was  his  experience  personally  with the facility, the Commissioner said, “…having this game in   Silicon   Valley,   and  perhaps  the  most  technologically  advanced stadium/arena in the world was fabulous.  This stadium is state-of-the-art, first  class.  And I think this community that can be proud of what the 49ers have added to it with this spectacular facility…when you walk around the stadium  and  you  see how well designed it is and how well built it is and all the features it has, it’s a wonderful, wonderful facility.”

Asked if he could envision coming back to California for another outdoor game time soon, Bettman replied, “Well, the soon part I don’t know the answer to because the games, the outdoor games, remain in such demand.  Do I envision us  coming  back  at  some  point  for  more outdoor games?  The answer is: absolutely. It’s  been  great. We couldn’t have asked for a better time, whether  it  was  last  year  at  Dodger  Stadium  or  here at Levi’s.  The combination  of  seeing  this  many NHL hockey fans in California shows you exactly  what the game has accomplished — what these three franchises have accomplished  — in a relatively brief period of time, if you compare their history, say, to the Original Six.”