All sorts of fun for hockey fans

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This article was published 20/10/2016 (3619 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fans going to the Heritage Classic or Legends games this weekend can experience a hockey-themed, family-friendly pre-game fan festival — along with a free cup of coffee.

And getting to the two hockey games will feel like going to a Winnipeg Blue Bombers football game.

The Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic Spectator Plaza will be located in the University of Manitoba’s U parking lot across the street from Investors Group Field.

Laurie Kepron, NHL group vice-president of integrated marketing, said the plaza will offer a great experience for fans young and old.

“It’s based on providing fans with a strong opportunity to spend the time and be a part in the celebration of the game,” Kepron said.

“There’s something that will appeal to all of our fans. Whether you’re an older fan, younger fan, a millennial, or grew up with Winnipeg Jets 1.0, there will be something there.”

The Spectator Plaza runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Besides the free cup of coffee at the Tim Hortons coffee truck, there will be music, special appearances and other attractions.

Winnipeg’s Almost Famous will perform Saturday at 11:30 a.m., while multi-platinum rock band Sum 41 takes the stage Sunday at noon.

Other attractions include:

• The Molson Canadian Human Bubble Hockey three-on-three experience, open only to players 18 or older. Just like with table hockey, players try to score against a flat goalie controlled to go back and forth by someone outside.

• Heritage Classic merchandise at the Fanatics trailer.

• Treats at the Reese Food Truck.

• A free, personalized hockey card available at the Upper Deck trading card zone.

• The chance to virtually hit the ice with the Winnipeg Jets or Edmonton Oilers at the Scotiabank kiosk.

• Virtual and augmented reality that allows fans to get close to their favourite players at the Rogers Fan Hub.

“Our whole idea is not only for our fans to have a great experience but also to have a lasting memory,” Kepron said.

Meanwhile, Winnipeg Transit and the Blue Bombers organization will be helping fans get to and from the hockey games.

Winnipeg Transit said in a statement it will be collecting fares from passengers heading to the games, but when they show their game-day ticket they’ll get a free ride home.

Transit will operate the 78 Crosstown West bus, which normally doesn’t run Sundays, every 20 minutes starting at 9:30 a.m. that day.

Extra bus service will also be added on the 60 Pembina, 75 Crosstown East and 160 Downtown-University of Manitoba routes on both days.

Fans can also board the Blue Bombers park-and-ride services on seven different routes starting three hours before game time.

The Running Back shuttle will also be running in a clockwise loop — from Investors Group Field to Chancellor Matheson Drive to Pembina Highway, and then south on University Crescent back to the field — every 10 minutes. It will be free to anyone with a game-day ticket.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca