Boston has long been a city of sports champions. Pick any year, and at least one of our teams is in contention. Right now, all eyes are on the Boston Bruins, who started the season with questions (Caesar’s Sportsbook gave them 25-1 odds to win the Stanley Cup), only to close in on what could be an historic season that has already broken long-standing records. They just have to get over their Midwest slump.
While you can score tickets to games now and into the post season, you can also find other ways to revel in fandom. Consider these fun activities to soak in the excitement of the hometown team.
Revisit history: The Boston Bruins celebrate 100 years of competitive hockey next year, and dominated for decades since the team’s start (they won the first Stanley Cup to feature two American teams in 1929). From those early years to the storied 1970’s Bobby Orr era and more, you can get close up to it all at The Sports Museum at TD Garden.
You don’t have to be attending the game to visit the museum; just head to the Museum’s desk in the North Station Concourse of the Garden and check in. You can self guide or take a tour to take it all in – and there’s a lot.
Tours meander along a half mile of displays that not only give you goosebump moments, but educate you on the Bruins as a team and hockey as a sport.
Your best bet are the one-hour guided tours, which take place on the half-hour at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. most days. It’s important to check the Museum website (sportsmuseum.org) before planning, since they are sometimes closed for private events.
Local Pubs/Bars for the home game vibe: The number of bars and pubs with Bruins games on every time they play is countless. There are a few that stand out:
At the many King’s locations (https://www.kings-de.com) including Kings Back Bay, Seaport, Dedham, Burlington, and Lynnfield you’ll find many huge screens bringing you the game (with great sound too); along with classic game day food choices like burgers, wings, nachos and giant mugs of beer to set the tone.
There are also fun activities like bowling, billiards, air hockey and shuffleboard to occupy you while the Zamboni is doing its thing.
Check into their new gastro-sports pub called The Draft Room, where you’ll find three stadium quality 12-foot HD LED screens, multiple HDTVs, over 40 beers on tap, and a 160-person capacity for cheering fans.
On the South Shore, check out the Cask ‘N Flagon (https://casknflagon.com) in Marshfield where you can grab a high top, bar seat or table and dive right into game mode with tons of TV’s, great game food and a wall full of classic Boston sports photos.
Get on the ice: Did you know the Bruins themselves want to teach your kid to skate like a hockey player? They are a key part of the NHL’s Learn to Skate Program (www.learntoplay.nhl.com/locations/bruins/).
Across New England, learn to skate clinics take place regularly for wannabe Bruins ages 4-9. The program helps kids learn the sport on ice while helping parents/guardians learn the basics from the sidelines.
And it’s no basic learn to skate program: Most times, a Bruins legend shows up to share their insights, stories and of course, pose for photos. It’s skating lessons from the best in the world with a dose of cool, up close insight into how the great players think and play.
Go to a game: True, when a team is on a run, ticket prices can soar. But it’s worth a try. Check out the “GameTime” App on your phone for very last minute deals that can be affordable.
Set it up at home: Of course, most of us have big screen TV’s now. Why not invite some friends over, click on the game and serve up some hockey fare? Cupcake Charlie’s (https://cupcakecharlies.com) makes a yummy assortment of Bruin’s Cupcakes for the perfect touch to a home view party.
