First NHL Game and I Almost Missed It!

(Nikon D300, iso 1000, 1/500 @f2:8, 14-24 @14mm)

I got to photograph my first NHL game on Wednesday night and it almost never happened. I totally forgot what the date was and thought the game was on Thursday night. A call by a friend of mine reminded me of the correct date and I had to scramble to get home, get my gear and drive to Boston. I ended up leaving town around 3:00pm. I live in Jericho, Vermont so it is about a 3ish hour drive to the Wellington train station. I usually show up to sporting events at least an hour before the start of the game especially if it is my first time at the location. It is always a good idea to get to a game early, you never know what problems might arise and you can usually get some good stock shots before game time. I got to the TD Banknorth Garden about a half hour before game time. With a little walking around and a few questions later I found my way to the media entrance and then to the ice.

(Nikon D300, iso 1000, 1/500 @f2.8, 14mm lens)

With about fifteen minutes to go before game time I settled into a shooting position in one of the corners of the ice. I got my camera's out and took some test shots to get the exposure for the night. As I was looking at a photo on my computer another photographer who was assigned that position came and booted me (nicely) from my spot. After that I decided to go to the balcony to get a over view of the Garden during the player introductions and then I would find another place to shoot from as the game started.

(Nikon D300, iso1600, 1/13 @ f2:8, 10.5mm)

I took a about 20 shots from the balcony, but it was hard for me to just pick one because I liked most of them. Each had some different lighting so I ended up transmitting a few of the images.

After I was done with that I made my way back down to the ice and found a position on one of the corners of the ice to shoot from. I liked it because it had I nice view of both benches. The holes in the glass to shoot from at the Garden are a little smaller than the ones I am use to at Gutterson Fieldhouse for the Vermont games. It was a little harder to maneuver around but after awhile I got the hang of it.

It was a good game right from the start. Tons of action and lots of goal scoring. The Sabres lead the game 3-2 within the first five minutes of the game.

(Nikon D300, iso 1250, 1/500 @f2:8, 80-200mm @ 165mm)

It was nice shooting a hockey game that was so bright. Here at Gutterson on the University of Vermont campus, I'm shooting at iso 3200 with 1/320 @2:8. Check out my sportsshooter page to see what I am talking about. It is tough to get some good quality photos out of that place. Good thing the new Nikon's high iso kicks ass.

A friend of mine loaned me a couple of his lens, the 10.5 and the 14-24. I ended up using the 14-24 a lot. I really love the wide angle shots in Hockey. It really gets you right into the action.

(Nikon D300, iso1600, 1/640 @f2:8, 14-24 @14mm)

I've been to many NHL games as a spectator, but I was surprised by the lack of big hits in the game. This was one of them but the funny thing is that Jaroslav Spacek #6 falls down after trying to lay a hit on Michael Ryder #73.

(Nikon D300, iso 1250, 1/500 @f2:8, 80-200 @200mm)

The Bruins ended up beating the Sabres by a score of 7-4. I had a blast at the game and I got some decent images but I can't wait until my next Bruins game.

(Nikon D300, iso 1250, 1/500 @f2:8, 80-200 @86mm)