DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Blake Comeau #15 and Andrew Cogliano #11 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his second-period goal against the Nashville Predators in the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Cotton Bowl on January 01, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

A Open Letter, from one Dallas Stars fan to another.

What a time to be alive, Dallas. Despite living without a national spotlight for most of the franchise’s tenure, our Dallas Stars opened the new decade with a roaring, Cotton Bowl-sized bang. Not fifteen minutes from the AAC, 2020’s inaugural afternoon offered the team an enticing showdown at Fair Park, and the event will be forever remembered as the city’s first crack playing host to the NHL’s annual Winter Classic.

The day proved anything but disappointing.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already seen the final score. In true comeback fashion, the Dallas Stars overcame a 2-0 deficit to devour the Nashville Predators 4-2, marking the third straight game in which they’ve won after trailing through 40.

If the scoresheet is the only thing you’re familiar with, however – I strongly advise you take a second look. Not only did the Stars new jerseys look amazing on ice, but the cloudy-day atmosphere proved absolutely unprecedented for Lone-Star Hockey – 85,630 fans (2nd most in NHL history) swarmed the historic Cotton Bowl for this once-in-a-Texas lifetime contest.

And as one of those spectators who got lost in the green sea of attendance, I can truly attest to the event’s glory.

A sellout crowd of 85,630 are attending the 2020 Bridgestone NHL #WinterClassic, the second-largest crowd in NHL history (2014 Winter Classic: 105,491). #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/ocYIkjht4M — NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 1, 2020

Not only was every possible bleacher absolutely jam-packed, but each concourse, concession stand, and even bathroom routinely overflowed to the brim. No way in national anthem history has the word “STARS” ever been screamed with more passion.

For three hours, each section lost their voices in unison, overpowering the PA system at every opportunity. And in true Texas spirit, pig races, mutton riders, and a sword-juggling unicyclist dominated both intermission breaks. It was as if for one day, all of Dallas had awoken. And for what felt like the first time, the entire hockey world took notice.

It’s no secret the NHL’s annual Winter Classic reigns supreme with the US ratings department – the contest is undoubtedly among the league’s most heavily viewed game each year. I mean, Doc Emrick and NBCSN called a match in Texas – a remarkably rare feat in of its own. For a few opening hours of 2020, this land south of the Red River became an epicenter for the National Hockey League. Nobody is one-hundred percent certain on when the next time the Stars will be awarded an outdoor event, but January 1st offered fans a spotlight of hope.

Their efforts may have finally landed Dallas on hockey’s nationwide radar.

“It was fun,” he said. “You can’t really beat this event. It’s up there, and winning how we did, it’s special.” – Andrew Cogliano on his time at the 2020 Winter Classic

I wanted to write this because I feel it’s important to thank everyone who participated at the Winter Classic. It’s because of you that our city will be remembered for such an incredible experience. Never in my life have I witnessed a more energetic, rowdy, and celebratory crowd than on Wednesday afternoon. From the opening puck-drop to the last whistle, all of Dallas came together to celebrate a regionally under-appreciated sport with the utmost enthusiasm.

They say everything is bigger in Texas. For the Dallas Stars, their Cotton Bowl stomping proved this decade just may be, too.

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Here’s to a new chapter of greatness.

GO STARS.