If you feel being part of a crowd for the Stanley Cup final and you don't have a ticket to watch the game live as the Vancouver Canucks try to get their mitts on the trophy, CN Centre is the place to be.
The 5,995-seat arena will be turned into Hockey House for Game 1 Wednesday night, open free of charge to fans who want to see the game broadcast on the big screen with arena sound. Sponsored by Molson, the stands will be open to all ages, while the arena floor will cater to the 19-and-older crowd, licensed for alcohol sales.
Doors will be open one hour before each game (at 4 p.m.) and Canucks fans are hoping their team can wrap it up in as few games as possible against the Boston Bruins/Tampa Bay Lightning?? in what will be a best-of-seven series.
"We've had tremendous response from the community, hoping that the Cancucks games would be shown in CN Centre," said Glen Mikkelson, CN Centre's entertainment and marketing supervisor. "People had a wonderful time watching the Olympic hockey gold medal game in February 2010, and based on the Canucks fever sweeping the city. the games at CN Centre will be exciting events for young and old.
"If you can't get tickets to Rogers Arena in Vancouver, CN Centre will be the next best place to cheer on the Canucks."
Door prizes will be up for grabs, including tickets for upcoming concerts at CN Centre, a Molson beer fridge, and jerseys.
Stanley Cup final schedule
Game 1: Wednesday, June 1 (at Vancouver) 5 p.m. PT
Game 2: Saturday, June 4 (at Vancouver) 5 p.m. PT
Game 3: Monday, June 6 (at Boston or Tampa Bay) 5 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, June 8 (at Boston or Tampa Bay) 5 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, June 10 (at Vancouver) 5 p.m. PT
*Game 6: Monday, June 13 (at Boston or Tampa Bay) 5 p.m. PT
*Game 7: Wednesday, June 15 (at Vancouver) 5 p.m. PT
* -- game only played if necessary
