​The Hockey News has opened its archives to all THN subscribers, offering 76 years of history, stories, and features. Subscribe now to access the full THN Archives here, or visit thn.com/free to subscribe. Smashville—January 20, 2014—VOL. 67, Issue 13, by David Boclair. Three games. That’s the number Nashville Predators executives believe is needed to convert a hockey skeptic into a fan. Now in the franchise’s 15th season, the Predators have enjoyed playoff appearances in seven of the last nine years and strong fan support, averaging more than 20 sellouts in each of the last three seasons. Yet they still face the challenge of a market not traditionally aligned with ice hockey. “If they come three times, they start understanding the game,” says Sean Henry, president and chief operating officer. “Hockey is an addictive sport, and many people here didn’t grow up with it. If they have a good time, they’ll likely return to watch us again.” To win those newcomers, the team has crafted a distinctive game-day atmosphere that proudly highlights the city and its lack of deep hockey history. GETTING STARTED Bridgestone Arena sits on the edge of the city’s main entertainment district, a dense cluster of bars, restaurants, and other tourist hotspots where live music never sleeps, barbecue is legendary, and nearly every culinary craving can be satisfied. By mid-morning, fans in hockey sweaters appear in nearby eateries to fuel up for the day and prepare for the night’s festivities. “You see the day swell in size, then keep growing,” Henry notes. THE PLAZA The action around the arena ramps up around 4 p.m. with the plaza party outside the main entrance. A band often plays while merchandise and food booths, plus a temporary bar, materialize. In the postseason, a “smash car” appears—a junkyard prize painted in the opposing team’s colors and logo that Preds fans strike with sledgehammers. It’s a spectacle and a lot of fun. This year, officials introduced the “Gold Walk,” offering fans a red-carpet-like experience as they stroll toward the entrance along a gold-lit stretch of concrete, where alums, dancers, staff, and devoted superfans encourage them. “People love it,” Henry says. ON THEIR FEET Despite meticulous planning for game presentation, there are times when the team improvises. It first happened late in the 2010-11 season and has become more common since: during the third period, at a pivotal moment, fans rise for a spontaneous standing ovation that lasts through the entire media timeout.