"Our Spectator Plaza is a great way to come, families-anyone with a ticket-and take advantage of some of the stick and puck activities we got," NHL executive vice president and executive producer, programming and creative development Steve Mayer said. "Molson is supporting our human bubble hockey … you can build your own trading card and there's also a stage, which is going to have music … from the time you get here, right up until game time.
"And then when you come in, taking in one of these games is quite the experience. If you've never been, there is always something happening, a lot of pomp and circumstance. Everything from fly overs to big musical performances on both days."
Musical guests will include multiple Juno award winners Tom Cochrane and Sum 41.
The Alumni Game Saturday will feature NHL legends including Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Teemu Selanne and Dale Hawerchuk.
"One of the greatest alumni games we've ever put on at the NHL and then obviously the game on Sunday," Mayer said.
"We know the product on the ice will be NHL quality, so it's important the other way around, that everything that happens off the ice equals what we're putting on the ice. Our players are the best in the world, the game is the best in the world. What we do to activate around it has got to be unique and to that standard. Any fan that comes to the games, they leave with an experience of a lifetime."
Temperatures at puck drop for each game is expected to be in the 50s (Farenheit). Mayer said they're looking at hourly forecasts that come in three times a day.
"Every minute of the day," Mayer said. "What we're seeing right now, a little rain the morning, which will not be a factor. We do see some winds and some gusts, which shouldn't be a factor. And it should be a cloudy day, so that takes the sun out of the mix, which is all good."
