Dallas Stars Fans Need to Improve In-Arena Atmosphere
The Dallas Stars are not known for their crazily passionate fans or their overwhelming arena atmosphere. Changing that could bring on a whole new level of success.
The Dallas Stars can breathe a sigh of relief as the 2016-17 season is officially over. Although the Pittsburgh Penguins won back-to-back Stanley Cups, the atmosphere created in Nashville was immaculate and is something Stars fans could stand to learn from.
Current Situation
Before getting into the room for improvement that Dallas fans have, it should be noted that overall the Stars are lucky. Fans in and around Dallas have numerous professional sports teams to root for on a nightly basis. They could spend their time watching a multitude of other sports, but somehow they manage to flock to the American Airlines Center.
And it goes without saying that Texas is not a typical hockey market. The weather is all wrong, the state is consumed with football and there are enough hockey towns in North America. But that is exactly why Nashville is the perfect example of what Stars fans can strive to achieve.
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Despite the fact that it has been a while since Dallas has a Stanley Cup Finals appearance, the Predators are also in the South. They also have unfavorable weather conditions for a ‘typical’ hockey market and there are a number of other things to do in Music City than head to an NHL game. For those reasons, it makes sense that Dallas emulate the attitude of Predators fans with their own spin of course.
Extra Attacker
The support of the fans at Bridgestone Arena really gave the Predators an edge, even though they were ultimately defeated by a rather untimely and unfortunate goal against. Their arena was buzzing from the second fans caught even the slightest glimpse of gold moving toward the ice to the very end.
That is not to say that American Airlines Center does not buzz like Bridgestone did, it is just to point out that it is a rare occasion. Texas hockey fans proved their ability to electrify the air at the AAC back in 2014 when the Stars made a return to the postseason after a five year drought.
You can hardly begin to imagine the feeling of the building on Victory Avenue that night, especially after the introduction video.
That, however, was over three years ago. While the arena has seen support from fans in seasons since, it has yet to reach that level of excitement. A level that is entirely attainable, especially with the dedication of fans in North Texas. With hope for a more impressive season on the rise, the arena should be re-establishing what its peak energy level actually can be soon.
Off their Game
Another key component of Nashville’s fans was their ability to throw the opposition off their game. Although their methods of doing so are less than favorable and certainly need not be duplicated in Dallas, they are undoubtedly effective.
Predators fans yelled, screamed and hollered anything and everything they could at the opposing team’s players. They highlighted the mistakes that were made by chanting a less than favorable taunt at goaltenders after they surrendered a goal.
While the extent to which the Predators fans went to throw off their opponents is really only acceptable in the postseason, if at all, the energy and support they have for their team is certainly something the Stars’ fans can recreate.
Next: What the Penguins' Stanley Cup Win Might Mean for Stars
An energized building really can make a difference in the NHL and although the AAC is a great place to call home, Stars fans can make a few changes to really tip it over the edge into greatness.