The Meadowlands became a hockey hub last weekend for the NHL's Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium, marking the first time ever that outdoor NHL hockey was played in New Jersey.
Given the turnout from fans, the packed parking lots outside of the stadium as tailgaters battled the cold, and the enthusiasm in the building, Keith says it's clear that the sport of hockey is thriving in the New York area.
"I feel like hockey is alive and well," Keith said. "As I watched the NBA All-Star stuff this weekend - minimally - I just don't care. I can't muster up anything in me to care…the NBA took the L to the NHL.
"'Nobody cares about hockey Boomer?' That's cap. That's a lie."
It helps when the local teams are competitive, and the Stadium Series in the Garden State comes off a season in which the Devils bounced the rival Rangers in a thrilling seven-game series in the first round of the playoffs last year, and after the Islanders reached the playoffs themselves not long after securing consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Final. So, while hockey often takes a back seat to the other three major sports in our area, Keith says it doesn't mean it isn't popular and beloved.
"Over 150,000 people in this area showed up for two days of hockey," Keith said. "I think if they made that a consistent thing in this area, those numbers wouldn't drop."
