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
— ESPN (@espn) March 1, 2025
Stadium Series | 6 PM ET on ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ pic.twitter.com/SQmCS7Z3db
Ohio State is home to football AND hockey champions
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 1, 2025
: #StadiumSeries | Tonight at 6 PM ET on ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/asoXxEgHl3
An ode to Johnny's journey
— NHL (@NHL) March 1, 2025
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
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
— ESPN (@espn) March 1, 2025
Stadium Series NOW on ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/yGbJUe8DyS
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
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025
: @espn https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
: FX & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/X956EaIA6p
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 beautiful game
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) March 2, 2025
: @cjzero pic.twitter.com/webBHtkEHd
"Oh sugar pie"
— ESPN (@espn) March 2, 2025
Definitely a unique exit from @MartySmithESPN pic.twitter.com/T8KeC639FW
the only band in the world @twentyonepilots pic.twitter.com/W4sfp0tUL0
— charlie today (@slowtownzs) March 2, 2025
DENTON MATEYCHUK OPENS THE SCORING
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025
Peep that pass from Boone as well #StadiumSeries
: @espn https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
: FX & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/y414xIKdsC
FIRE THE CANNON!!! @BlueJacketsNHL | #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/84MQPh8Fa4
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 2, 2025
PSA: this is what 90,000 people celebrating a #CBJ goal sounds like @BlueJacketsNHL #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/98cmWFx4g3
— Columbus Sports Commission (@ColumbusSports) March 2, 2025
Rolling out the first cannon thanks to Dents! pic.twitter.com/PW4y6g8pFj
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 2, 2025
ALEX DEBRINCAT
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025
He ties this game up 1-1 and extends his point streak to nine games! #StadiumSeries
: @espn https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
: FX & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/dsJezG3Eds
Columbus fans honoring Johnny Gaudreau in The Shoe. pic.twitter.com/XavXVkDyDK
— ESPN (@espn) March 2, 2025
This view #StadiumSeries
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025
: @espn https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
: FX & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/bLYY4MORBu
BIG BOSS GOAL! @FanaticsBook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/JCH3fagUpq
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 2, 2025
TWO GOALS IN 32 SECONDS
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025
The @BlueJacketsNHL have quickly given themselves a 3-1 lead! #StadiumSeries
: @espn https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
: FX & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/OsmgRdIR5B
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
SHOWTIME
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025
Patrick Kane brings the @DetroitRedWings to within one! #StadiumSeries
: @espn https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
: FX & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/LviAzzJwsN
#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.
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025
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
ELVIS!!!! pic.twitter.com/wEWROt6u87
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 2, 2025
BLUE JACKETS RETAKE THE LEAD
— ESPN (@espn) March 2, 2025
It was determined there was no penalty on the play after review. pic.twitter.com/uCRWfXWJ2H
JUSTIN DANFORTH GWG
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025
He plays hero at #StadiumSeries for the @BlueJacketsNHL! pic.twitter.com/45dD86eHnQ
COLUMBUS WINS AT THE SHOE #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/lbAokARv81
— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2025
After the Game
#StadiumSeries salute #CBJ pic.twitter.com/MeswWp9Mka
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 2, 2025
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."
— ESPN (@espn) March 2, 2025
Justin Danforth on scoring the game-winning goal in the Stadium Series pic.twitter.com/O7n1gYq6Yp
THE BEST DAMN FANS IN THE LAND! pic.twitter.com/j5hQx3xKyo
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 2, 2025
Elvis Merzlikins was PUMPED to receive the custom Stadium Series mask we created for the winning goalie
— ESPN (@espn) March 2, 2025
A new addition to the collection pic.twitter.com/MPPO49hS7a
A fitting end for a game inside Ohio Stadium: The Ohio State marching band plays the Chimes and Carmen Ohio to send us all home.
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) March 2, 2025
It was an honor to host @NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium! Congrats @BlueJacketsNHL on a great win & appreciate the leadership of the team for trusting our staff to host this historic game. Thx to all of our Buckeyes who made it a great night. Lets do it again https://t.co/V4y93VaiaG
— Ross Bjork (@RossBjorkAD) March 2, 2025
On behalf of Meredith Gaudreau: pic.twitter.com/7yhUHlD8Sn
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 2, 2025
