Soccer is typically a pregame staple at NHL games. I can’t count the number of times I’ve walked around or through an event-level gathering of six-to-10 players kicking the ball around, hacky-sack style, while in undergarments and sneakers.
Sometimes, its an obstacle course trying to get to the Avalanche locker room or downstairs media area. The soccer players find the largest area to play in — usually in a main artery of the arena basement — and take over the place.
It can get loud. Players are hollering, cracking jokes, enjoying a lively game to entertain themselves and maybe draw a sweat.