Hours before puck drop inside Ohio Stadium, fans of both the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings began flocking to Ohio State University’s campus.
On Lane Avenue, fans lined up to get into the various experiences taking place in the area, including a FanFest where the Stanley Cup was on display.
Steam rose off of grills in the parking lots around Ohio Stadium, as tailgaters began celebrating early.
And while Columbus Blue Jackets fans dominated the gameday areas, there were plenty of Detroit Red Wings fans around.
Those included father and daughter Dave and Rowan Hauer. Dave grew up in Detroit but has lived in Cleveland for decades. Rowan attends Ohio State University.
“I was fortunate enough to see the Red Wings play at Wrigley Field in 2009 with my dad,” Dave Hauer said. “I always said if it was ever here, no matter who was playing, I wanted to come.”
Having that team be the Red Wings, whom he grew up a fan of, is an added bonus.
Hauer said the fan experience has been beyond what he expected. He praised the communication the Blue Jackets, city of Columbus and other entities have had with fans.
“Columbus did a really great job,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed.”
Around Ohio Stadium and St. John Arena, fans began lining up early to get a seat at the pep rally, which featured a performance from O.A.R. By 1 p.m., more than two hours before the teams arrived, lines wound around the arena in multiple directions, even with temperatures in the low 30s, with winds making it feel even colder.
Inside, fans packed the seats and booed any mention of that state up north, including the line referencing South Detroit in Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
Shortly before 3 p.m., O.A. R., which gained a strong following while students at Ohio State University, performed their hit song “This Town” as the Blue Jackets came into the arena to loud applause and a standing ovation.
The team walked across the stage, shaking hands with the band members, before exiting and making the walk across Woody Hayes Drive to the stadium.
Fans lined the pathway three and four deep, standing on their tip-toes with cameras held aloft and children on their shoulders, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Blue Jackets.
The team was led on the walk by members of the Gaudreau family, including Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, and the couple’s two children, Johnny Jr., who turned 1 in February, and 2-year-old Noa. The team also honored Gaudreau by wearing outfits from a favorite shop, the Avalon Surf Shop in Avalon, New Jersey.
The Red Wings wore jerseys from Gaudreau’s career, also as a tribute to the Blue Jackets star.
