PHILADELPHIA – Special events regardless of sponsor always attract more than just the casual fan. Such is the case with the 2012 National Hockey League’s Winter Classic. Walking through the concourse and seating areas of the Citizens Bank Park here Philadelphia there are any number of hockey jerseys evident. The majority obviously being the Flyers with a close second going to the Rangers.
But tucked in amongst the NHL sweaters was one that caught the eye.
A Rapid City Rush sweater passed on the concourse. Taking the opportunity to catch up talk hockey with a Central Hockey League fan could not be overlooked.
Tim Van Pelt and Danielle Price were just getting into lunch when we caught up with them.
“We don’t have a real favorite here today,” Van Pelt said.
“We love hockey,” Price added. “This was a great chance to catch this event and we could not turn it down.”
As the teams took the ice for the pre-game skate Price and Van Pelt were clearly excited by the spectacle and the pageant of the event.
“This is so cool,” Van Pelt said.
For days before the game the temperatures in Philadelphia had fluctuated between the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. But on game day, the conditions turned perfect. The NHL had pushed the face-off to 3 PM instead of 1 PM to improve conditions. It was a great decision. As Price and Van Pelt spoke about hockey in South Dakota the clouds rolled in and the temperatures dropped……..perfect day for hockey.
Hockey is a community and seeing the Rush sweater recalled memories of the CHL in Albuquerque. So many familiar names to CHL minor league hockey fans bind fans from all areas of the country. So it was with Price and Van Pelt.
“Oh yeah, Joe (Ferris) is still with us,” Van Pelt said. “He’s such a big piece of the Rush and the community.”
Ferris is the head coach for the Rush and former head coach of the New Mexico Scorpions of the CHL (now defunct).
Having those connections makes hockey a community. The Rush sweater was the opening and hockey was the binder that brought two South Dakotans to Philadelphia for a clash of high-flying clubs in the eastern conference of the NHL.
Danielle and Tim will carry home memories of Philadelphia and an event that few others from the Plans would otherwise not experience.
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com
