30 for 30: 2014 Hockey City Classic
Minnesota finally got what it has long deserved…outdoor games in the State of Hockey.
This past Friday, I had the chance to shoot the 2014 Hockey City Classic at TCF Bank Stadium for the University of Minnesota. The Friday night featured a doubleheader with the Golden Gophers women taking on Minnesota State-Mankato, followed by the men against Ohio State.
I arrived to the stadium around 3 p.m. to get a feel for everything. I have shot in TCF Bank Stadium plenty of times, but hockey brings a different dynamic and completely different shooting style to the table. I felt a little underprepared at times yesterday in the new environment and looking back, might shoot a few items a bit differently. But for me, having never taken a photography class of any sort in my life, I learn by doing. My first outdoor game was a learning experience, but I now I have a better understanding of the outdoor flow and know what to expect the next time I shoot an event like this (Target Field, hopefully).
Below you will find 30 of my favorite shots from my evening at The Bank…
Meghan Lorence celebrates her first period goal against the Mavericks.
Outdoor hockey, shoot wide. Just do it.
I spy four Hockey City Classic logos.
Following a quick break to thaw my fingers, it was back to the ice for the Gophers and Buckeyes.
There is a reason I’m not in charge, but an earlier start time with a full house as the sun was going down for the men’s game would have made for some awesome photos! Instead, the 8:00 p.m. start time gave us the same light throughout the entire game. Hey, at least the light was consistent!
Pre-starting lineups.
Defenseman Justin Holl and Brady Skjei take it all in prior to the national anthem.
It was fun to see a lot of guys looking up and taking in the atmosphere prior to the game.
Ceremonial puck drop including the likes of Lou Nanne and Jack Jablonski.
With a lot of photographers covering the game, holes were hard to come by. The University was only given two ice level spots for the men’s game. Head photog Eric took the first period hole and I had a corner hole in the third. I spent the first period wandering around shooting some overalls of the stadium.
An announced attendance of 45,021 at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 Hockey City Classic.
Since I, again, did not have a hole for the second period, I marched to the top of the upper deck with my 400mm f/2.8 in hand to shoot action. As football stadiums generally build out than up, it was still a tough angle from the top of the stadium to shoot over the near-side glass.
Shooting from above did nothing for me, it kind of ruined the atmosphere of the outdoor game. As you can see in the photo below, it doesn’t tell much of a story. Sure, the Gophers are celebrating a goal, but the photo gives no sense of place. It looks like your average goal celebration shot from above at any indoor hockey arena.
Not sure what I enjoy more about this photo, the skate guards or the hat.
The one shot I knew I wanted leading up to this game was a wide angle shot of the stadium at center ice. But, of course, television had the spot between the benches for all three periods and photographers were not allowed in the box. So what did I do? With the help of Gophers graphic designer Courtney Anderson, I mounted my 5D Mark III and 15mm fisheye on a monopod and hoisted it up over the benches to capture the opening face-off of the third period.
From there, it was off to the best location of the night for me…corner hole opposite the press box made for a hell of a view.
Remember when I said to shoot wide? This is why.
The photos give a sense of place and help to capture the event of a hockey game in a large stadium. There are 25+ other games a season where you can shoot tight on guys/action in the same old, badly lit indoor hockey arenas. Games with this type of setting and atmosphere just scream wide shots…
…unless they skate right into you.
All I wanted in the third period was a face-off in the near corner. Finally, with two minutes left in the period, my wish was granted.
One of my few images from the third period shot with my 70–200 f/2.8 lens.
Skjei, again, taking a look around.
Gophers win.
Team photo at center ice after their 1–0 victory over thee Ohio State University.
Justin Holl was steamy after the game, literally.
Like always, the event made for a pretty fun day. I appreciate all of you who take time out of your day to check out my blog, thank you.
Click on the link below to check out the full gallery from the game from myself, Eric Miller and Jim Rosvold.
Bonus photo: Pretty sure this is my first photo with Jim that I’ve gotten over the years, so I had to post it. The second time I ever picked up a legit camera (Canon 1D Mark IIn for those wondering), I shot SCSU men’s hockey vs. Minnesota in the fall of 2008 and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. That evening, I somehow had the courage to randomly strike a conversation with a photographer. That guy happened to not only be the first photographer I would ever speak to, but it also happened to be Jim. He could not have been nicer or more helpful to the random and lowly college freshman who didn’t know what he was getting himself into.
‘Welp, see ya later.’
