Colorado Avalanche

Ball Arena on hockey nights transforms into a sea of burgundy and blue, and the energy for Colorado Avalanche games is absolutely electric. When the "Let's Go Avs" chant kicks in and the crowd starts pounding, this building shakes. Hockey in Denver might not get the national attention of Original Six cities, but the fans who pack this arena know exactly how good they've got it.

The 2022 Stanley Cup championship capped off one of the most dominant playoff runs in recent NHL history, and the celebration in Denver was massive. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and the entire squad brought the Cup to a city that remembers the glory days of Sakic, Forsberg, and Roy. Two eras of championship hockey, two generations of fans, one incredible franchise.

The Avalanche-Red Wings rivalry of the late '90s and early 2000s was the most intense, most violent, most entertaining rivalry in NHL history. Brawls, bad blood, and some of the best hockey ever played. If you mention Claude Lemieux to a Red Wings fan, they'll still get heated. That era put Colorado hockey on the map permanently.

Before the game, the LoDo brewery scene is right there - Great Divide Brewing is a short walk. For food, grab some tacos at Los Chingones or a burger at Cherry Cricket (a Denver institution). After the game, the bars on Blake Street and Market Street are your postgame spots. Avs hockey at Ball Arena is fast, physical, and backed by a fanbase that's tasted championship glory and wants more. Bring your voice and your burgundy. Go Ass, Hail Satan (if you know, you know).