It’s playoff time! How to get involved in the chase to the Stanley Cup

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After what has felt like an eternity, fans are finally seeing the Vancouver Canucks play some hockey beyond mid-April once again. 

For the first time since 2015, the Canucks have qualified for the NHL playoffs. While the team did qualify for the playoffs during the 2019-2020 season, it ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to an awkward playoff bracket that season, and fans weren’t able to spectate in-person.

Although the Canucks did well during that time and were almost amongst the final four teams in the Stanley Cup chase, it didn’t feel the same as watching the team’s playoff runs from the late 2000s to early 2010s.

Even then, from 2015 until now, the Canucks have been through a rollercoaster of experiences. From the iconic Sedin twins retiring in 2018 to having four head coaches overlook the team on the bench throughout the seasons, not to mention the notoriously infamous 2022-2023 season, the franchise has been through a lot. 

This season however, not only have the Canucks made the playoffs again after many seasons of mediocrity, they also claimed first place in the Pacific division and second place in the western conference. At the time of publication, the Canucks have eliminated the Nashville Predators after six games in the first round, and have moved on to face the Edmonton Oilers in round two for an all-Canadian showdown. 

Hockey fever is back in the Lower Mainland, and more people are looking to get into the action and atmosphere while the Canucks chase their first ever Stanley Cup in 54 years of existence. However, some people might not be as familiar with hockey, or sports in general, and aren’t sure how to get into the current hype of the Canucks’ playoff run. 

Attending hockey games can be expensive, especially during the playoffs. Even then, you could attend a hockey game just to get mocked for wearing a former player’s jersey. Then, you’d be given the runaround by security staff, which would waste time and you’d miss the game, and then be ignored by your favourite team when you tell them how bad the experience was. 

Anyways, here’s some ways to get into the hockey spirit while on a budget. 

Putting Canucks-themed decorations around your living space

If you’re too busy to follow what’s happening with the run, you can always put up Canucks-themed decorations to help provide even a little hockey spirit. Whether it’s something simple like hanging up a Canucks flag or decorating an entire room with blue, green, and white, it’s at least something to start showing those team colours. 

Going to a local sports bar

With the Canucks in the playoffs again, many bars are looking to benefit from the hockey atmosphere while the team is making a run. If going to a hockey game is too expensive, going to a sports bar or restaurant near you to watch a playoff game while being surrounded by other Canucks fans is a great and more affordable alternative. You could go alone or with some friends and family. 

Watching games with family and friends

Speaking of friends and family, you can use the Canucks’ playoff run as a time to bond with friends and family, especially if they’re also big fans of the team. Spending time in your living room while cheering the team on with special ones is always a memorable experience. 

Attending a watch party

As far as I’m aware, the City of Vancouver is looking into potentially organizing watch parties in the city, but they are being very cautious, and none are currently planned for obvious, yet understandable reasons (the 2011 Stanley Cup riot). However, for the games when the Canucks are playing in enemy territory, Rogers Arena is selling tickets so people can watch those games in the venue on the jumbotron above center ice. 

During the series against the Predators, tickets were as low as $15, quite an affordable price. While there’s no guarantee prices will stay this low against the Oilers (and possibly beyond), this is the next best thing to watching a Canucks playoff game live in Vancouver.