Predators' first Stanley Cup game draws thousands to downtown Nashville

Thousands of Predators fans descended on downtown Nashville Monday night to watch the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final game in team history.

“The community response to the viewing parties has been overwhelming,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “With the eyes of the hockey world on Nashville, we have another chance to demonstrate why this city is such a great destination, and we are ready to accommodate our Nashville fans and the world’s hockey fans.”

The popularity of the watch parties caused Metro Nashville to expand the viewing areas for the Stanley Cup Final. 

Despite the prediction, the Bridgestone plaza viewing party and Music City Walk of Fame reached capacity well before the game started, leaving hundreds of fans waiting for overflow space to clear up. But the overflow caused Bridgestone Arena to open up sections of the lower bowl, welcoming fans to watch the game on the big screen over the ice.

More than 3,000 people watched in the arena, making it feel like a home game even though the Predators were hundreds of miles away. 

Micheal Beck, 24, was turned away from Walk of Fame Park, and had been waiting 30 minutes in a standby before he heard Bridgestone had started letting fans in. He said he felt like he was part of the game.

"It didn't feel like we were away at all. It was like they were playing right on the ice in front of us," Beck said.

The Office of Emergency Management estimated over 6,000 fans watched the Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks to win their first Western Conference Final from Music City Walk of Fame Park.

The watch parties will be held at Music City Walk of Fame Park for the first two away games, then when the Predators return home to Nashville, the party moves to Lower Broadway on June 3 and 5. All events are free to the public. Security at Bridgestone arena said they are planning on opening the arena again on Wednesday if need more overflow seating. 

Puck drops for each game at 7 p.m. but fans should arrive early to secure spots.  

Reach Kirk A. Bado on Twitter @kirk_bado