Melbourne saw the arrival of the biggest Ice Hockey League in the world recently, with Rod Laver Arena playing host to the NHL Global Series in September.
Western Conference’s Arizona Coyotes and LA Kings were the two teams facing off in the 2023 Global Series, playing two games as part of the NHL’s preseason approximately 8,200 (13,196 kms) and 7,900 miles (12,714) away from their home arenas in Tempe and Los Angeles respectively.
Spark Event Group was the official Team Liaison Officers, for the period the teams and officials were in Australia, with duties including matchday operations; hotel, practice and logistics coordination; management scheduling and team liaison. Additionally, the team also managed the NHL’s accreditation processes.
A sellout crowd of 13,097 saw the Coyotes open the preseason with a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings, followed by 13,118 fans seeing the Kings beat the Coyotes 3-2.
The teams became the first to compete in the Southern Hemisphere with no NHL game ever being played anywhere in the south previously.
Fans, both seasoned and newcomers, travelled from far and wide to get a taste of one of America’s most beloved pastimes.
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