A Historic Night at the Shoe: Sights and Sounds From the NHL Stadium Series Game at Ohio Stadium

One hundred and two years after it opened, Ohio Stadium experienced another "first."

On Saturday, 94,751 people packed into Ohio Stadium – the second-largest crowd in NHL history – for a Stadium Series game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings. It marked the first-ever hockey game at the Horseshoe.

The NHL, Blue Jackets and Ohio State delivered the expected pomp and circumstance for the historic occasion. With Columbus' 5-3 win now secured, we've compiled pictures and videos of the event's best moments, including the Gaudreau family leading the Blue Jackets into the stadium and onto the ice, a celebration of Ohio State football's national championship and more.

Before the Game

Brutus crashes the set

Stadium Series | 6 PM ET on ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ pic.twitter.com/SQmCS7Z3db — ESPN (@espn) March 1, 2025

Ohio State is home to football AND hockey champions

: #StadiumSeries | Tonight at 6 PM ET on ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/asoXxEgHl3 — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 1, 2025

An ode to Johnny's journey

The @DetroitRedWings arrived to Ohio Stadium in jerseys from throughout Johnny Gaudreau's hockey career.

: 2025 @NavyFederal NHL #StadiumSeries TODAY at 6p ET on @espn, FX (Canada), and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/NGKSwfUbum — NHL (@NHL) March 1, 2025

Our Honor Defend pic.twitter.com/XUWKtKeVRD — Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 1, 2025

A legendary walk to warmups! pic.twitter.com/xUvFAahCX4 — Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 1, 2025

Soaking in every moment! pic.twitter.com/lTsWUOj3IM — Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 1, 2025

The Ohio State Athletic Band on ice hits different

Stadium Series NOW on ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/yGbJUe8DyS — ESPN (@espn) March 1, 2025

Script Ohio on Ice at the @NHL Stadium Series game! Let's go, @BlueJacketsNHL! #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/1V7tYLwaYk — The Ohio State University Marching Band (@TBDBITL) March 1, 2025

Jane Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau, and the Gaudreau children lead the Blue Jackets out for the start of the game pic.twitter.com/PYSHh2qYjh — B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 1, 2025

Some views from inside the Shoe. pic.twitter.com/9S8YNIl32A — Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) March 1, 2025

The CFP National Championship Trophy made a special appearance during the ceremonial puck drop at #StadiumSeries

: @espn https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm

: FX & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/X956EaIA6p — NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025

During the Game

Some great aerial shots from our ESPN crew of Ohio Stadium for tonight's #StadiumSeries game. #LGRW #CBJ pic.twitter.com/fvMp5Uhkqf — bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) March 1, 2025

The Stadium Series is underway at The Shoe#StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/tDHBy6MWoj — Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) March 1, 2025

the only band in the world @twentyonepilots pic.twitter.com/W4sfp0tUL0 — charlie today (@slowtownzs) March 2, 2025

Rolling out the first cannon thanks to Dents! pic.twitter.com/PW4y6g8pFj — Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 2, 2025

Columbus fans honoring Johnny Gaudreau in The Shoe. pic.twitter.com/XavXVkDyDK — ESPN (@espn) March 2, 2025

94,751 in Ohio Stadium for the #StadiumSeries. Second largest crowd in NHL history. #CBJ — Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 2, 2025

The crowd tonight is 94,751, the second-largest in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/wmT7QRUl44 — Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) March 2, 2025

#CBJ and Let's Go Jackets ringing out in the Horseshoe with the Jackets on a key third-period kill. Sounds loud from up here. — Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 2, 2025

The #StadiumSeries content you didn't know you needed.

Peter Herbstreit, also known as the Director of Snuggles, is taking in the game!

: @espn https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm

: FX & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/xW57pNU4uA — NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025

BLUE JACKETS RETAKE THE LEAD

It was determined there was no penalty on the play after review. pic.twitter.com/uCRWfXWJ2H — ESPN (@espn) March 2, 2025

After the Game

The Ohio Stadium victory bell tolls after the #CBJ win pic.twitter.com/Z0tmpk6fxL — Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 2, 2025

"Just an amazing feeling, something I'll never forget."

Justin Danforth on scoring the game-winning goal in the Stadium Series pic.twitter.com/O7n1gYq6Yp — ESPN (@espn) March 2, 2025

THE BEST DAMN FANS IN THE LAND! pic.twitter.com/j5hQx3xKyo — Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 2, 2025

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