Nora Meeks, Staff Writer–

On March 1, The Ohio State Stadium, affectionately named “The Shoe,” was alive with energy. The over 90,000 fans in attendance fill the stadium with energy as they cheer on their beloved Columbus Blue Jackets as they took on the Detroit Red Wings. 50 Denison students joined that crowd through the University Programming Council ‘s (UPC) free trip to the game. 

The 20-degree temperatures simply couldn’t keep the fans away. The iconic Ohio State University stadium has never hosted a hockey game in its over 100-year existence making this a truly unique event. 

In a quote published by the NHL, Ohio native and Blue Jackets player Sean Kuraly said, “These are hallowed grounds in Columbus. To be out here and playing hockey, it’s gonna be neat… it’s going to be a big celebration of Columbus and hockey.”
    The game was a full on spectacle with special jerseys and a performance by the Columbus-native band, Twenty-One Pilots. 

As part of this unique game, the UPC brought Denison students on a coach bus and brought them to the game for free. 

Denison Student Maddie Pavelka ‘27 had never been to a Blue Jackets game before. 

“I’m glad Denison has provided this opportunity for us to go,” Pavelka said, she would not have gone to the game otherwise. 

Another student, Connor O’Neill ‘27, said, “I don’t think I would have come to the game without Denison because the tickets were very expensive.” 

The events of the game certainly didn’t disappoint. The Blue Jackets triumphed over the Red Wings 5-3 after the Red wings tied the score in the third period. The stadium honored both the game day traditions of the Blue Jackets and the Ohio State Buckeyes, with the iconic buckeye stickers usually put on the players football helmets decorating the field. 

The Blue Jackets even transported their signature cannon, that is fired every time they score, to the shoe. The Ohio State marching band, cheer team, and spirit team were also in attendance and performed during breaks in the hockey action. There was even an appearance made by the college football national championship trophy held triumphantly by members of the Ohio State football team to the roars of the crowd. 

During the first intermission the crowd was treated to a performance by the rock duo Twenty-One Pilots. The stadium was a blaze with pyrotechnics as the packed stadium sang along to hits like Ride and Heathens. This event allowed for Denison students across all classes to come together to celebrate Columbus and watch great hockey. 

The students in attendance ranged from first years to seniors, people who had never been to an NHL game and people who had been watching all their lives, like Parker Mendham ‘27 a self-proclaimed hockey addict. Mendham admitted he would have tried to attend the game no matter what but the fact the school provided the experience for free was unreal. 

“When I saw the listing on WhatToDU I didn’t believe it was a real offer, but then I found out it was a real offer and told all my roommates. I was so excited.” It is clear that this opportunity allowed Denison students to access something they otherwise wouldn’t be able to access, making this a Saturday to remember.