So, I was able to attend my first ever Winter Classic event. This year’s Winter Classic took place in Dallas, TX at the Cotton Bowl and my friends and I have had our tickets since I wanna say April. It’s safe to say, we were ready. I’m gonna take you on my adventure of the day through my words on here, so let’s go!
The day started off early. 7:30 am on New Year’s Day. And yes, I stayed up until midnight the night before so it’s safe to say I didn’t sleep a lot. I was tired, yet excited. I started to get ready and went up to the train station and took the 9:06 am train from Fort Worth to Dallas. That train ran to the American Airlines Center where we could switch over to the Dallas train that would take us to the Cotton Bowl. The train from Fort Worth to Dallas was pretty packed but it was nothing compared to the train we transferred onto in Dallas. And on top of that those trains were smaller than the Fort Worth to Dallas train. So we were crammed from almost the get go of the day.
Once we arrived at Fair Park/Cotton Bowl (they’re located at the same place if you haven’t been to Dallas or know about Dallas) we got out and we didn’t wait too long to have our tickets checked and to get into the park. The park is the entrance to the stadium as well so once we got through that we didn’t have to have our tickets checked at the stadium doors. So, once we were in the park we hung out in there for a while. BUT, getting into the midway section of the park took forever because there were so many people trying to get in. Once we did, we rode a ride or two. I rode only one because the other I had to go to the restroom while my friends were on that second ride. So, while in line for the ride we saw at somewhat of a distance a former player (which I was right about) and we were able to get a picture with former Stars player Craig Ludwig. After the first ride was when I went to the restroom as I mentioned above. After coming back to the rides area my friends went elsewhere. I look off not too far away and see the Stars announcer Josh Bogorad and was able to talk to him for a minute and take a picture. I eventually run back into my friends and are on our way.
Now, here’s another edition of running into a rush hour jam of people trying to leave the midway and enter into the stadium. It took nearly 30 minutes or maybe longer just to get into the Cotton Bowl. I mean, we did have 85,630 (I believe) people attending the game so that’s a lot of people entering an older stadium that just doesn’t have the hallway space. So that was interesting. I entertained myself and my friends tapping people on the far shoulder and looking elsewhere. I also played the nose game, that is you tap the tip of your nose on someone’s shoulder and hope they don’t notice. I know, I’m weird. But I was trying to pass time and there were moments we weren’t moving at all.
I’m going to fast forward to when we finally get to our seats. Around 1 pm when the game is about the start. Actually, about 10 minutes or so until the game started. I decided to go and find one of I think two total NHL stores there and waited in line. Now, I wanted to do it then because the lines finally weren’t long. And I mean the lines to get in there were LONG. So, I was fortunate my timing for the store was right. I ended up finally buying myself a Dallas Stars jersey. That is the last Dallas pro sports jersey I needed for my collection. The jersey has no name on the back, which is totally fine and it is the Winter Classic edition jersey which is absolutely nice! So I was so excited to wear it during the game.
I finally get back to my seat about 2 in a half minutes after the game started. That’s around the time Corey Perry was ejected from the game for those who watched and remember that part. The first period wasn’t super exciting since the Stars gave up 2 points during the 5 minute major penalty from Corey Perry. So that was deflating. The 2nd was just as deflating right until towards the end of the 2nd when the Stars finally scored and started to not only gain momentum but finally get on the board. The 3rd period was my favorite. The Stars score 3 in the first 10 minutes of the period and the crowd is just going nuts and having their own fun. We at one point start the wave. The lower bowl (where I was sitting) had a wave going and at one point the upper deck had 2 separate waves going. It was hilarious because both of their waves weren’t in sync with ours. The finally did get in sync and the announcers even were encouraging the wave. It was fun. The Stars ended up winning the game 4-2. We leave and in the process of leaving see one of the NHL employees tearing down a Winter Classic map of the Cotton Bowl/Fair Park area and I asked her if I could have it and she said yes. So I have that hanging up on my wall as a free cool little momento.
Now, onto trying to get out. That was a pain! Like I said earlier, 85,630 of us trying to leave. And apparently it felt like the majority of us took the train. So we were all crammed in a long line that went past the gate to exit. So we try seeing if there is another exit and found out there wasn’t. For 85,000 plus people there was only 1 exit at the main gate. That’s wild. Anyway, we eventually shuffle through and decide we are going to take a train going to opposite way we came for a few stops and get off. Then we are going to board one heading back towards Fair Park and then the American Airlines Center. By this time it’s around 5:30 pm and the game had been over for about an hour or so now. Just to give you an idea of the time it took. I’m glad we did this because other fans were doing this too and by the time we get back to Fair Park our train is at full capacity and all those fans are still waiting out there AND couldn’t get on our train. It was seriously pretty insane. I’m glad we went that route. So, we ride that train to the American Airlines Center to transfer to a train heading back to Fort Worth. We get there around 6 pm and have to wait until 6:35 pm for the train heading towards Fort Worth. We finally get on that and I’m falling asleep in the train. I was so tired. I went to grab some food and then finally get home between 7:30 pm and 8 pm.
Overall, it was a great day despite the constant jam pack of the crowd. But I enjoyed the game, my new jersey and being with my friends. Even though I was the 5th wheel. I hope y’all enjoyed the game on tv.
The Steven Plummer Portfolio 