NHL preseason hockey is returning to Wichita on Saturday, this time with merchandise
Back by popular demand, the NHL is returning to Wichita for another preseason game on Saturday.
The St. Louis Blues and Arizona Coyotes will face off once again in the “ICT Ice Classic” at 7 p.m. Saturday at Intrust Bank Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at selectaseat.com, by calling 855-755-7328 or in person at the box office.
It’s the same matchup from last year’s debut game at Intrust Bank Arena, when a crowd of 8,475 watched the Blues top the Coyotes in a thrilling 5-4 victory.
Regardless of the final score, the two teams will once again end with a penalty shootout.
A change in this year’s event is the addition of a fan festival — free of charge — outside the arena at Naftzger Park, where food trucks, a beer garden, inflatables and face-painting will be available from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. before the game.
“We had such a great atmosphere last year and I think everybody who came had a good time,” said Brian Hargrove with ProHoops Sports & Events, the group that brought the exhibition back to Wichita. “Even if you weren’t a hockey fan, you left the arena last year with a great feeling. I think they were entertained throughout the night with the high level of hockey and with the other entertainment inside the arena.”
Hargrove figured the event would be a hit for Wichitans, but he was anxious to receive feedback from the professional teams after hosting an NHL exhibition game for the first time at Intrust Bank Arena.
Both teams left rave reviews for Intrust Bank Arena, the fans in Wichita and the event staff.
“We are very excited to return to Wichita for another NHL preseason game,” Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said. “We were very impressed with how loud and passionate the fans were last year and we are looking forward to coming back. It should be a great game and fun night.”
“I don’t think either team really knew what to expect coming to Wichita, but they were blown away by the fans and the arena,” Hargrove added. “Right after the game, both teams came up to me and said, ‘That was incredible.’”
Hargrove was ecstatic to learn the single biggest gripe from local fans about the event last year was the lack of merchandise, an easy correction this time around.
Not only will every fan receive a “free handout” when entering the arena, but there will also be plenty of merchandise available that has been specifically branded for the event in Wichita.
Other than that, Hargrove said his staff will attempt to recreate another entertaining night at Intrust Bank Arena.
“We feel really good about how things went last year, so we only had to make some minor adjustments this time around,” he said. “Last year went so smoothly and everyone was satisfied with it, so not a lot has changed. We want everyone to have a great time again.”
