Ian Tostenson, of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Affiliation: “I’d counsel that each place that’s promoting meals and drinks within the downtown space will likely be completely packed and completely loving it.”
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This weekend is a particular sufficient event within the B.C. sports activities world that it could advantage its personal Hallmark card.
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The B.C. Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps host playoff video games on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, respectively, at B.C. Place, whereas the Vancouver Canucks look to proceed a robust begin to their common season with a Saturday evening match-up throughout the road from the dome at Rogers Area. Throw in the truth that the UBC Thunderbirds soccer group hosts a playoff recreation Saturday afternoon on campus, and there’s heaps for followers to chew on throughout this Tremendous Sports activities Weekend.
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It’s arduous to provide you with the final time one thing like this occurred right here. The 2011 calendar featured the Canucks making their run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Lions profitable the Gray Cup at B.C. Place, and the Whitecaps beginning up in MLS as an enlargement franchise. However video games of consequence for all three groups in successive days are troublesome to recall.
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“I’m spending my weekend downtown,” stated Brian Bowman, 60, who has been a season ticket holder for each the Lions and Whitecaps for 12 years. “To have two playoff video games in a weekend in Vancouver is spectacular. It’s one thing we don’t see a ton of.
“It’s going to be a heckuva occasion weekend downtown.”
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That premise has individuals like Ian Tostenson, who’s president and CEO of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Affiliation, giddy about prospects for his trade with the Lions’ West Division semifinal in opposition to the Calgary Stampeders, the Canucks’ showdown with the Dallas Stars, and the Whitecaps’ Recreation 2 of their best-of-three opening spherical set versus LAFC.
“It is a miracle,” Tostenson stated when requested what the weekend may imply for eating places and bars within the space. “All these people who find themselves descending on downtown to observe the hockey, playoff soccer and playoff soccer ought to make their reservations to their favorite spots instantly or get downtown early. Those that are staying dwelling to observe the video games want to verify their Uber Eats is in early as a result of I feel it’s going to be very, very busy.
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“I don’t know what the greenback quantity will likely be, however I’d counsel that each place that’s promoting meals and drinks within the downtown space will likely be completely packed and completely loving it.”
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B.C. Place opened in 1983 and has hosted lots of of Whitecaps and Lions video games over time, however this can mark the primary time that the higher bowl will likely be open for back-to-back video games that includes each squads. Crowds for each video games this weekend on the dome are anticipated to be in extra of 30,000.
That is the primary time within the Whitecaps’ 13 seasons within the MLS that that high part has been opened. The Lions have opened the higher bowl 4 instances this season and 6 instances since June 2022.
“The power inside B.C. Place is completely buzzing as we put together for a historic sports activities weekend in Vancouver. It’s moments like this the place the town comes alive with a robust sense of neighborhood, and Vancouver shines its brightest,” B.C. Place common manger Chris Might stated.
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Sports activities enterprise commentator and host of The Sports activities Market on Sportsnet 650, Tom Mayenknecht, added: “This weekend isn’t just concerning the amount of sports activities occasions within the metropolis. It’s concerning the high quality with two playoff video games and a surprisingly good Canucks begin creating the excitement downtown. Consider how paltry the returns have been for all three of the franchises this previous decade. It’s been robust. This weekend slate takes us again to the 2010-2012 interval when there was the aftermath of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, the 2011 Stanley Cup Last run and the Gray Cup win in 2011. It’s reminding followers of what it’s wish to have what we’ve usually taken without any consideration: Three playoff groups within the sports activities and leisure district downtown.”
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Mayenknecht is preaching persistence round downtown this weekend, and significantly in the course of the overlap between the Lions and Canucks video games, which is able to make for “some busy streets and restricted parking.”
“The problem will likely be guaranteeing clean movement within the 6 p.m. hour Saturday evening, when Lions followers will likely be leaving B.C. Place and Canucks followers arriving for the puck drop at Rogers Area. You possibly can rely on some followers having tickets to each video games and going from the stadium to the sector,” he added. “It’s a type of afternoons and evenings when public transit makes numerous sense.”
THE GAMES
SATURDAY
Manitoba Bisons at UBC Thunderbirds
Hardy Cup Canada West soccer semifinal
Thunderbird Stadium, 1 p.m.
The thin: UBC (6-2) is internet hosting its first playoff recreation since 2018 when it meets fourth-place Manitoba (3-5). UBC gained the Canada West common season title for the primary time in 1999. The T-Birds final gained the Vanier Cup nationwide title in 2015.
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Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions
CFL West Divison semifinal
B.C. Place, 3 p.m.
The thin: The Lions (12-6) beat the Stampeders by a mixed 62-24 rating within the first two conferences this season, however fell 41-16 in B.C.’s common season finale on Oct. 20 at dwelling. Calgary ran for 213 yards that recreation.
Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks
NHL common season
Rogers Area, 7 p.m.
The thin: Victoria product Jamie Benn had three objectives and eight factors by means of his first eight video games with the Stars this season. He has two objectives and 4 factors in three profession video games in opposition to the Canucks.
SUNDAY
LAFC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
Recreation 2 of best-of-three MLS first spherical, 4:30 p.m.
The thin: LAFC gained the opener, scoring the ultimate three objectives in a 5-2 triumph. If vital, LAFC will host the third and last match of the sequence on Nov. 9.
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Advisable from Editorial
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Playoffs push B.C. Lions, Whitecaps attendance into stratosphere (or at the least the higher bowl)
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Vancouver Whitecaps are again at B.C. Place, with their backs in opposition to the wall
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