What you need to know for the Heritage Classic

The NHL believes its faith has been rewarded.

Bill Daly, the NHL’s deputy commissioner, told 650 CKOM’s Brent Loucks this week that there was some hesitation early on about playing the Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at a neutral site for the first time.

The league’s concern with playing the outdoor game in a city like Regina had to do with attendance and the fact that a large portion of the crowd would have to travel to the host city.

But since awarding the game to the Queen City, the NHL has been more than pleased.

“We identified Regina fairly early on and worked closely with the city and they thought the game would be successful there,” Daly said. “We actually had three clubs who wanted to participate in the game and they thought the game would be successful there.

“We took that leap and it certainly has paid off. The response from the fans has been pretty dramatic in terms of embracing the game and we’re looking forward to having a sold-out building in Regina — and we’re going to be happy to be there.”

The regular-season game between the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets at Mosaic Stadium is set for Saturday at 8 p.m.

Tickets to the game were still available Friday. They can be purchased in advance at Ticketmaster.ca, or they also can be picked up Saturday at the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ ticket office.

The PreGame, the official party put on by the NHL in advance of the contest, is to begin at 1 p.m., in Confederation Park.

The free event — featuring interactive games, attractions, live music and other activities — is to be open until 7:30 p.m. It also is to be open Sunday from 10 a.m., to 1:30 p.m., before the WHL’s Prairie Classic between the Regina Pats and Calgary Hitmen.

From 2 p.m., to 6 p.m., there’s also a tailgate party slated for Regina’s City Square Plaza. Six street hockey rinks are filled with a variety of activities, including games and skill-testing events. There also will be face- and hair-painting.

Regina Downtown is holding a viewing party on the F.W. Hill Mall from 5 p.m., to 11 p.m. The event is to start with the CFL game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and host Edmonton Eskimos, with the Flames-Jets game to follow. Patrons are asked to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.

Starting at 5:45 p.m., a free shuttle service will begin to Mosaic Stadium. The shuttles will pick up passengers at the Southland Mall, Northgate Mall, University of Regina, Warehouse District (at the corner of Hamilton Street and Sixth Avenue, the corner of Scarth Street and Dewdney Avenue, and the corner of Dewdney and Lorne Street) and downtown (eastbound at the corner of Saskatchewan Drive and Hamilton Street and westbound at Hamilton and 11th Avenue).

Gates are to open at Mosaic Stadium at 6 p.m. Elphinstone Street between Dewdney and Saskatchewan Drive will close to traffic at 4 p.m.

There are parking passes available for spots on the Evraz Place grounds, but they must be bought online at ticketmaster.ca. The passes won’t be available for purchase on Saturday.

The list of items that can’t be taken into the stadium includes: Outside food, beverages or alcohol; coolers or containers; bottles, cans, water bottles or flasks; oversized backpacks, duffel bags or containers; umbrellas; selfie sticks; and, banners or signs that interfere with the views of other guests or are distasteful.

The opening ceremonies are to include a performance by Jess Moskaluke and the Hunter Brothers. The national anthem is to be performed by the Hunter Brothers, with a flyover by a CC-130H Hercules.

The ceremonial faceoff is to be handled by Fred Sasakamoose, one of the first Indigenous players in the NHL, and Brigette Lacquette, the first Indigenous member of Canada’s women’s team.

The Sheepdogs are to perform during the first intermission, with Moskaluke to return for a show during the second intermission. Throughout the game, the band Toque is to serve as the house band.

For the NHL’s fan guide to the Heritage Classic, click here. Evraz Place also has details that can be seen below.