HAVE JUST STARTED, THE GAME OF HOCKEY STARTED EARLY. BRANDI: KRISTIN JOINS US LIVE TO EXPLAIN. REPORTER: NHL, ALL EYES ARE ON THE PROS IN TOWN. WE CAUGHT UP WITH A COUPLE OF BOYS VARSITY HOCKEY TEAM AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE HOCKEY IN THIS TOWN. THINGS LIKE TAHOE IS KNOWN FOR, BEAUTY, FREEZING COLD WATER AND IT IS BECOMING BETTER KNOWN FOR HOCKEY. >> IT HAS BEEN TWO DAYS A WEEK PRACTICE AND WEEKENDS ARE GAMES. >> IT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST PART OF MY LIFE SINCE FIRST GRADE. REPORTER: HE CAME WITH HIS TEAM AND COACHES FOR A WEEKEND OF CONTACT FREE HOCKEY. BECAUSE OF COVID, IT IS THE FIRST TIME MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN ON THE ICE IN MONTHS. >> MANY OF THEM ARE SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL. THEY ARE READY TO GET OUT THERE AND PLAY. >> EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THAT, FOR SURE. SO EXCITING TO SEE THEM DO AN OUTDOOR RINK. REPORTER: THEY HOPE THAT HOSTING THE NHL WILL BRING MORE ATTENTION TO LAKE TAHOE AS A VENU >> SO EXCITING. NOW EVERY HOCKEY FAN CAN SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL LAKE TAHOE IS. REPORTER: THOSE LIGHTS ARE THE ONES AT THE TEMPORARY RINK THAT THEY ARE PLAYING AT. WE TALKED TO PEOPLE LOCALLY AND WITH THE NHL WHO SAY LAKE TAHOE IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR THEM TO BE PLAYING
Fans hope NHL games in Tahoe increase interest in hockey
Updated: 7:35 PM PST Feb 21, 2021
While all eyes were on the National Hockey League in South Lake Tahoe this weekend, many may not realize that hockey has been popular in the mountain community for years.Youth hockey players, along with coaches and parents, gathered at the South Tahoe Ice Arena, where on Saturday the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins held practice sessions.“It’s so exciting to have the NHL in town,” says Stacie Gunderson, whose son Tyler plays varsity boys hockey. “Now everyone, every hockey fan can see how beautiful Lake Tahoe is.”Many in the hockey community are hoping the weekend NHL Outdoors events will increase awareness of the sport on the West Coast.Sixteen-year-old Jack Dinardo from Santa Rosa has been playing hockey for the past 11 years.“When I started playing there were not nearly as many kids playing as there are now, so it’s great to see,” Dinardo said.While the pandemic put a halt to hockey for much of the last year, having the NHL in town, and getting a little time on the local ice rink, made Tyler Gunderson anxious for more.“Now that I’m out here again, I really enjoy it and realize how much I miss hockey,” he said.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. —
While all eyes were on the National Hockey League in South Lake Tahoe this weekend, many may not realize that hockey has been popular in the mountain community for years.
Youth hockey players, along with coaches and parents, gathered at the South Tahoe Ice Arena, where on Saturday the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins held practice sessions.
“It’s so exciting to have the NHL in town,” says Stacie Gunderson, whose son Tyler plays varsity boys hockey. “Now everyone, every hockey fan can see how beautiful Lake Tahoe is.”
Many in the hockey community are hoping the weekend NHL Outdoors events will increase awareness of the sport on the West Coast.
Sixteen-year-old Jack Dinardo from Santa Rosa has been playing hockey for the past 11 years.
“When I started playing there were not nearly as many kids playing as there are now, so it’s great to see,” Dinardo said.
While the pandemic put a halt to hockey for much of the last year, having the NHL in town, and getting a little time on the local ice rink, made Tyler Gunderson anxious for more.
“Now that I’m out here again, I really enjoy it and realize how much I miss hockey,” he said.
