NHL Playing First-Ever Game In China; Fans Get Primer On Rules

The Kings and Canucks this morning are playing the first NHL game ever in China. A Hockey 101 session took place inside Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai about 25 minutes before faceoff “to explain some of the rules” to fans. Kings D Alec Martinez said after the first period, “The ice is good. It’s not as foggy as it was the last couple days” (“Canucks-Kings,” NBCSN, 9/21). Skaters prior to the game showed fans things “like offside,” and an emcee was “narrating in Mandarin.” The team’s mascots were “demonstrating charging, elbowing, etc.,” and NHL highlights played on the scoreboard screen “as the Zambonis resurface the ice” (TWITTER.com, 9/21).

Tickets for Kings-Canucks as of last night were "still easy to find the in the arena's lower bowl," while a few upper-bowl sections were "less than half sold" (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/21).