LAS VEGAS – Dallas Starscenter Joe PavelskiStanding at 35 feet distance from his target, he stared into the cool air. He reached out to grab the puck and took a shot. He didn’t even aim at a goalie. Even at a goal. A large playing card: The ace of diamonds. This was punctured by the puck like a dart.
“Ace!” Pavelski exclaimed, teasing the other NHL players with which he was competing.
They were in Las Vegas Boulevard. The street was closed down for two hours to allow Joe Pavelski, a professional poker player, to shoot at 52 cards and a glowing puck. The Eiffel Tower was visible to their left. The sun began to set behind the casinos on their right. The sidewalks were populated by showgirls dressed in feathered costumes.
The NHL staged two All-Star Game skill competitions outside on Thursday night. They were the “Las Vegas NHL 21 In ’22” which closed down the Vegas Strip to play street hockey blackjack and the “Discover NHL Fountain Face-Off” in which players traveled by boat from their homes to compete in timed shooting accuracy.
“What movie are they filming here?” A passerby asked the question as she looked at both the stages and the cameras.
She was correct to ask the question: These were the first outdoor events in NHL All-Star History. Thursday night also marked the first time that the NHL taped skills competitions before the All-Star Game.
“We’re not going to say it was live, but it might feel as if we actually went down to the Strip during it,” Steve Mayer (NHL’s chief content officer, and visionary behind these spectacles), said on Thursday.
Pavelski Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach WerenskiAfter having won events on the previous day, I attended Friday’s skills competition at T-Mobile Arena. Pavelski won the “NHL 21 In ’22” challenge at the shuttered Strip. Werenski won “NHL Fountain Face Off”. The outdoor victories of the two men were edited in a marathon session, and shown during breaks in NHL All-Star Skills Competition.
Werenski said, “I don’t believe any of us knew the expectations because it’s not been done before.”
After Thursday night’s win, news of the team’s triumphs was kept quiet. How could the NHL pull off such grandiose feats while still keeping their secrets?
This requires meticulous planning, testing and approximately 20 frogmen.
For daring ideas, the NHL has always used its All-Star Weekend. It has sometimes meant the very structure of the game, “North America against. The World”, or the player led fantasy draft or current 3-on-3 tournament. It’s been more about being creative in its skills competition events. There have been goalie races and a hockey version called “Top Golf”. A trick-shot challenge has also been held. This has included players who use two sticks and players who are dressed up as Superman or Chewbacca.
Mayer was aware of the potential for the league to push the envelope with the 2022 All-Star Game at Las Vegas. As early as 2021, Mayer had begun planning outdoor events.
Before, the league used Bellagio fountains for its venue. Panic! performed at the Stanley Cup Final 2018. At The Disco performed live on the water stage as part of Game 5 between them Vegas Golden KnightsAnd the Washington Capitals. It seemed like the next step to hold one of the skill competition events on the lake.
Although other locations were explored, such as the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign was considered. However, the best logistical solution for the event was closing Las Vegas Boulevard just in front of The Bellagio. You could set up cameras and other gear on the sidewalk for the filming of the card game and then swing around to capture the fountain event.
After calculating how long it would take to put everything in place and remove it, the NHL presented their plans to the city officials. They agreed to block the famous Strip for hockey’s version blackjack during a 2-hour period.
“We’re on The Strip, but it’s down. You see no cars. Mayer explained that she just thought it felt like an enormous event.
Three basic aspects are required for the creation of an outdoor skills competition: logistics, concept and testing.
The idea for the “Las Vegas NHL 21 In ’22” competition came from a desire to imitate a Las Vegas casino game. They were thinking about poker and roulette. They thought about poker and roulette, but blackjack was the most straightforward game that could be used to create a skills competition.
One challenge was presented by the cards. The NHL experimented with different sizes and materials. The NHL settled on cards measuring 32×22 inches. They were made of a plastic compound that could break but not shatter and give off a “thump” when punctured.
Both events were conducted in the T-Mobile Arena parking lot, and in a nearby storage facility before All-Star Weekend. They were tested out by former NHL players, as well as members of NHL’s hockey operations team and Department of Player Safety.
The “Las Vegas NHL21 in ’22” competition had many challenges. Although it was closer at first, the puck elevation made it very difficult to hit the top row. The stage was moved to 35 feet.
“I thought it was quite good. Pavelski explained that when it becomes too difficult people begin to look foolish.
The event used game pucks that were frozen in orange coolers. These pucks were used for player-tracking, but the pucks contained six LED lights.
Pavelski was seen slapping the puck with the stick just before he shot at the ace of diamonds. This set off the red lights. Each player had to do the exact same thing before each shot in both of these events.
The fountain shootout’s concept was simple. Players would need to score five shots on “floating” targets in the water. The layout was modeled after a hockey rink. The players would shoot from “center-ice” at targets on the blue line, at two large circles in their “offensive zone”, and then into a regulation NHL Net in between.
The NHL started constructing the stage around midnight on Sunday during All-Star Week. The platforms’ foundations were secured by 20 scuba divers. This was more than what the league expected. Due to the cold lake, they were split into three teams and rotated in and out.
A three-hour delay was also unanticipated one day. The NHL was unable to enter the lake because of a boat that was maintaining the fountains.
During testing, one major change was made to the fountain shootout concept. The NHL decided that target areas required raised rims surrounding them to stop the pucks sliding into the water from their momentum. Shooters had to raise their shots above the rim in order to add an additional layer of challenge.
Patrick Burke, head of NHL’s player safety division, stated that they test with players who have played in the NHL. “But until you get Roman JosiYou can find it there [you see]Although it seems easy to him, it is a completely different process.
Both the fountain and blackjack events featured stages with synthetic ice that allowed players to slide their pucks at their targets.
Pavelski stated, “It wasn’t slippery.”
It was Thursday, March 3, at 3:34 PM local time. Las Vegas was still in off-peak tourist season. Although temperatures could dip below freezing at night, many people were still congregating around the Bellagio fountains and enjoying their famous dancing waters.
Two lanes of traffic were shut down on Las Vegas Boulevard by local police to allow the NHL to store its huge rack of cards and other staging. At 3:48 PM, police set up roadblocks to block traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard. The NHL crew then began moving things in the right order. It also included sorting out the cards.
Two minutes later, officers began asking people to get off the Bellagio’s sidewalk. They eventually set up barricades at each end.
Because of the large crowds expected, the NHL was concerned about word getting out that these events were being recorded and held on Thursday night. However, there was no “bat signal,” which was posted on social media to alert fans. Since the actual skills competition was on Friday night, some people might have misinterpreted it as a rehearsal. There were still a few dozen participants lined up on Las Vegas Boulevard wearing their favorite team’s jerseys and shouting encouragement to each other.
The organizers were unable to evict everyone. One fan bravely watched the whole blackjack event from the Bellagio sidewalk, mixing in with credentialed spectators. He later took a photograph with him. Colorado Avalanchecenter Nazem KadriAs he left.
After the sun had set behind the Bellagio at 4:26 p.m. five NHL players and some friends walked down the street to the event. Tampa Bay LightningCaptain Steven StamkosPavelski, Kadri and his child were with him. Auston MatthewsYou can find the Toronto Maple LeafsAnd Brady TkachukYou can find the Ottawa Senators.
“Last night, we tested it. The way it looks and how the lighting works. Mayer explained that it was “like… it had to look good because we only had one shot at this.”
52 cards were hung from metal hooks on a metal frame that ran across The Strip’s closed lanes. As in blackjack, the goal was to make a hand with as many cards as possible, without exceeding “21”. A member of the NHL team used a hockey stick and removed each card that was punctured.
To assist in any close calls, there were two referees.
To see who would win the game, players dealt cards. Matthews was selected to start the game after some confusion over the value of an Ace.
It became clear that a pre-tape was the smartest decision as the event began. There were lengthy delays between shots. The players were equipped with mics and earpieces. They had a lot of fun with one another and Gerry Dee, a comedian who did play-by-play but not over the speakers at the event. Laura Rutledge was also present. They were also updated by the NHL about the game’s strategy and the phases.
“The most difficult thing is that they don’t know what it is. Television viewers will be able to understand. [how the game works]But these were the first people to hear it. They were all blackjack gamers. Mayer explained that this made the task a little easier.
It wasn’t immediately apparent. Matthews’s initial shot hit the three of diamants. Tkachuk’s first shot was missed. He ringed it off the metal posts. Then he hit the two of heart.
“I believe they knew exactly what was going on. Pavelski explained that the event didn’t take place. “You come out to that event and you don’t take a [practice] shot. It’s just you standing there, shooting to try and get depth perception. It is impossible to tell if the bottom row of your image is slightly up or down.
Pavelski, on the other hand, was a card shark. He scored the ace and then the crown of diamonds. Pavelski also hit 21 first with the highest possible combination.
He was also very good at banter. Joe Pavelski is a master of banter. He speaks when there’s a pause. Burke suggested that Burke could be the host.
He also tried to win over his opponents.
“You’re telling everyone to go low, and you’re going down!” Kadri lamented Pavelski at one point.
The players’ blackjack skills were evident at the end of the first round. Every player made 21 and advanced into the next round. Players would have one shot and advance with the highest-value cards. Pavelski scored an ace. Stamkos was also a winner, as he froze all the others.
“Gotta be able to follow the rules, boys!” The Lightning star laughed with delight.
The remaining two players engaged in a Blackjack battle that would have attracted many people at a table. Pavelski and Stamkos each hit kings on the next shots to tie the game. The final result was that Pavelski hit the queen club and Stamkos took the four clubs. This gave the Stars the win.
Pavelski, his 11 year-old son, Nate took a shot on the stage to celebrate. As the players applauded, he hit a card the second time.
“At the final, we were just playing around and they were like Let’s Go… We gotta get you off of the stage or else we’re going get fined! Pavelski spoke.
The players returned to the Bellagio, walking down the sidewalk. At 5:40 p.m. the set was broken down and cameras and gear moved across the area to the location of the fountain shootout.
Two NHL crew members dug up road debris; one of the errant shots ended up behind the stage. Pavelski stated that there were “a few pucks that got through the cards and hit our lights.” You got that double explosion. It was very cool.
One person used a broom and the other one used one of the playing card as a dustpan.
Mayer stated, “If we lose two lights, that’s okay.” “These guys are world-class athletes, and this show showed just how amazing they can be.”
At 6:15 PM, traffic was allowed to reopen Las Vegas Boulevard’s shuttered lanes. The sidewalk was soon reopened to pedestrians. However, a large section of it was closed off for the fountain shootout. The metal partitions were surrounded by fans who waited for the players to arrive.
They did so at 6:53 p.m. — from a barge.
During the “NHL Fountain Face Off”, there were three boats in water: two small craft that collected pucks and maintained the set, and the barge that brought players, refs, and camera operators to center stage. The barge is usually used to horticulture in the area of the Bellagio foundations.
“I was wondering how they got there. Werenski stated, “I assumed it must have been by boat.”
Werenski stated, “I have been to Vegas several times and you walk past them, see fountains go off every time.” It was something I had hoped to do when I first heard about it. Simply being there and taking in everything was incredible from our perspective.
Fans began to notice what was about to happen as the players emerged from the barge. It was not a practice run, it wasn’t a rehearsal — the actual All-Star Event.
“Wait, those players?” One exclaimed excitedly. “I’m originally from Winnipeg!” I’ll swim there! They are the best!
The players assembled in “the Bat Cave” before sailing to the stage. It was a dock that was located underneath the Alexander McQueen shop at the Bellagio shops. It looked very Bond-like. Inside, there was a green area where the players could get ready for their event.
The rules for the fountain shooting competition were altered before the event. It was originally intended to be a tournament in which two shooters would compete against each other. Instead, the tournament was decided to be a tournament in which two shooters compete against each other. The fastest four-ball shooters landed on four targets simultaneously advanced to the final round.
The NHL used only half of its “rink” for the shootout. Another change was made to the staging. It was a decision that was made for television because the lighting was more efficient in that direction.
“Once we started testing, it was much easier for broadcast to set the cameras up and get them set. [with one side]. Burke stated that it’s because we can see the pucks even though they glow.
Werenski was joined by Werenski at the event Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi, Philadelphia Flyerscenter Claude Giroux, Seattle KrakenWinger Jordan Eberle, Vegas Golden KnightsWinger Mark Stone, Montreal CanadiensCenter Nick SuzukiJocelyne Lamoureux Davidson is Team USA’s gold medalist. Jonathan HuberdeauYou can find the Florida PanthersWho shot first?
The backdrop was created by fountains that produced a mist screen, on which the NHL projected each player’s name and logo. Sometimes, the name projectionist had to adjust the font size. Although “Mark Stone”, “Jonathan Huberdeau” and “Jocelyne Damoureux-Davidson” were easy to get on the mist, “Mark Stone” was a little more difficult.
Huberdeau is a top NHL scorer and the best puck handler, but he was unable to make his first two shots. Although this was frustrating for Huberdeau, it was encouraging to his rivals.
“It sort of relieved the pressure at that point. Werenski explained that she didn’t wish to be last.
Some shots bounced into the target area, and others bounced out. Some of their shots fell directly into the water. The puck’s red glow slowly faded in the depths. Suzuki’s most memorable attempt was to miss the net and have the puck skim atop water like a stone.
Werenski, Josi and the rest of the competitors had the fastest times after the first round. The rest of competitors returned to their barges, and they sailed back toward the Bat Cave. This left the two blueliners free to face off in the final round.
The NHL had stated that the fountains would present a challenge to the competitors. This was demonstrated in the final round. Josi and Werenski were competing in a full-on Bellagio fountain show. There was a huge stream of water that crashed down with a thunderous boom.
“That was my favorite part. Werenski explained that Werenski was amazed at the loudness of the fountains going off.
Louder than the cannons they fire off at Columbus Blue Jackets game?
“No. This is hard to beat. He said that it was close.
The water was so cold that the players could feel it. Josi stated that they were out there for about an hour and were shaking from the cold.
Werenski had an impressive final round. Josi was struggling. It didn’t help that one of his pucks didn’t glow when he touched it. “I was getting nervous. “I was getting nervous. Josi replied.
Werenski won and was soon interviewing for a winner’s circle interview, as fountains were sprayed behind.
Although it was already 8 p.m. the work began for Mayer and his crew. They had to cut the footage into segments of 10- to 12 minutes for the skills competition broadcast the next night. He said, “I know it’s going be a long evening editing, but it’s going going to look great.”
NHL personnel began collecting the pucks at the Bellagio. The sidewalk barricades were removed. Fans focused their attention on photo opportunities with Batman and Deadpool, as well as two “S.W.A.T.” troopers.”
They were the winners of one of the most ambitious NHL skill competitions. The winners received $30,000 more and were aware that they had been part of history for the All-Star Game as well as hockey in Las Vegas.
“I don’t think that we realized how significant it was until we start hearing the stories. Pavelski explained that the Strip was only ever closed for a few movies or the middle of the evening.
“You can always skate the fastest lap.” Werenski stated, “You can shoot at targets anytime.” “But I will never shoot pucks at the Bellagio fountains.”