PALM DESERT, Calif. — Going to see a hockey game at Acrisure Arena feels more like you're seeing a rock concert.
That's not an accident, it's by design.
"We wanted to have a facility that wasn’t just a hockey building but also could host music," explained John Page, the Senior Vice-President of Oak View Group/Acrisure Arena/Coachella Valley Firebirds. "Live entertainment based on Irving Azoff being one of our owners and being one of the lynchpins and kingpins in music, acoustics was a big part of it.”
Whether it's with pyrotechnics or a high-flying stunt from their mascot Fuego, going to a Firebirds game is a show and the players are the performers.
“Their building was rocking, their fans when they get an early goal, they were right into it," said Bears Captain Dylan McIlrath.
Coachella Valley is in its second year of existence and is already making its second trip to the Calder Cup Finals. They're undefeated at home during this postseason and the energy from the crowd is a major reason why they are a vastly different team on home ice.
The Bears have lost four of their five playoff games at Acrisure Arena including last year's finals.
Of course, they won the most important one, Game 7 of last year's championship round in overtime to capture the Calder Cup.
When you combine the building, the fan experience and a winning product, it makes life easy for the marketing team.
“Ultimately, it’s who we are," smiled Page. "We are the coolest spot in the desert.”