Hockey season just keeps getting bigger, louder, and wilder! With the NHL in full swing, the 4 Nations Cup bringing international heat, and now the Stadium Series adding some outdoor magic, it’s a non-stop rollercoaster for hockey fans. And as the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets geared up to battle under the open sky, excitement was through the roof. After all, this wasn’t just any game—it was a historic one.
With over 90,000 fans packing Ohio Stadium, this showdown was set to be the second-largest crowd in NHL history. A night to remember, right? Well… not exactly. The hype was real, but so was the frustration when the puck didn’t drop on time. And let’s just say, patience wasn’t on the game plan. Social media exploded as hockey lovers called out the delay in the Stadium Series, turning what should’ve been an epic night into an all-out debate.
Ryan Hana, host of the @WingedWheelPod, hopped on X before the game and dropped a truth bomb: “Imagine sitting in the freezing cold for an outdoor NHL game in Ohio and having to wait longer for puck drop because there’s a college basketball game going on in Tennessee.” And let’s just say… fans were not having it.
The frustration was real, and NHL fans, already braving the cold for the Stadium Series, were left stewing as men’s college basketball took priority. Delayed puck drops? Inconvenienced die-hard hockey fans? Yeah, not exactly a winning combo.
Imagine sitting in the freezing cold for an outdoor NHL game in Ohio and having to wait longer for puck drop because there’s a college basketball game going on in Tennessee.
— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) March 2, 2025
When it comes to hockey broadcasts, let’s just say the assist-to-issue ratio has been a little off this season. One fan didn’t hold back, venting, “The broadcast is also objectively terrible. There seems to be no reaction to anything actually happening in the game. Broadcasters seem to be reading from a script and jumping from segment to segment.” And honestly? That frustration isn’t new. The Stadium Series might have its own set of fresh problems, but bad broadcasts? That’s an ongoing saga.
Just ask Boston Bruins fans. Not too long ago, during an NHL game, Gino Hard hopped on X mid-game with a clip that said it all: “Bruins power play goal? (cross). Chipotle ad? (check). Some Bruins fans had to miss a goal due to an unexpected advertisement.” Yup. Instead of watching their team bury one, some fans got served—just not in the way they wanted. Whether it’s a scripted vibe or untimely ad breaks, one thing’s for sure—hockey fans are not loving the way their games are being delivered. But this was just the beginning!
Fans angered over delay in the Stadium Series!
Just when fans thought the chaos was over and the game was finally rolling, BOOM—another broadcast blunder! Instead of the on-ice action, they were treated to a surprise guest… a dog. And let’s just say, they were not amused. As one fan ranted, “Then, when they finally get around to the game, they put a dog up on the screen! WTF #StadiumSeries.”
But hey, to be fair, this wasn’t just any random pup—it was Kirk Herbstreit’s dog, and apparently, the broadcast crew thought he deserved some screen time too. Not that it helped much, because fans still weren’t having it. “And then while trying to watch it, getting two camera angles of Kirk Herbstreit’s dog,” another user chimed in. Looks like hockey took a backseat to man’s best friend, and fans were barking mad about it!
This story is developing…
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