Empty Netters Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Empty Netters
Hosts: Dan Powers, Chris Powers, Evan Watkins
Episode: Bruins Lightning Stadium Series Was The GREATEST Outdoor Game Ever
Date: February 3, 2026

Main Theme & Overview

This episode dives into the hosts’ experience at the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins Stadium Series—a game they herald as "probably the greatest outdoor game of all time." The episode is rich with stories from the event, analysis of the spectacle, NHL news (notably Barry Trotz stepping down as Predators GM), and their trademark entertaining banter. The hosts also dig into the importance of pageantry in hockey, creativity in sports culture, and field questions from the "beer league" community, all while keeping the energy light and camaraderie high.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Host Introductions & Banter

• Evan Watkins is formally introduced as the new Empty Netters team member—a Penguins fan and “an absolute riot.”
• Classic brotherly ribbing sets the energetic, irreverent tone.
  • Chris’s snoring and Dan's playful mockery kick things off (00:54 – 01:31).

2. Groundhog Day Tangent & Weather Talk

• The trio mock the Groundhog Day tradition, riffing on its absurdity and the regional “weather-predicting rodents.”
  • "When you leave weather, which living in Southern California, you like, say goodbye to weather. You're like, who gives a fuck what's going on in Punk Satani." – Evan (03:45)
  • "We've got just droves of rodents and marsupials getting jobs predicting how much more winter we're gonna get." – Dan (05:32)
• Sets the stage for talk about the uncharacteristically cold weather in Tampa during the Stadium Series (07:22).

3. Breaking NHL News: Barry Trotz Resigns

• Barry Trotz announced he’s stepping down as the Nashville Predators’ GM to focus on family.
• Hosts discuss whether it's genuine or a forced exit.
  • Chris reads Trotz' quote about work-life balance and feeling he is missing too much family time (08:40).
  • "If my man wants to go kick it with the fam, I am going to support that." – Dan (10:15)
• They reflect on Nashville’s recent resurgence and speculate on the team’s future approach.

4. The Stadium Series: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins

a. Weather, Pageantry & Execution

• The cold Florida weather is a plot twist (ice needed to be heated!).
• Absolute praise for the NHL’s recent run of successful outdoor games.
  • "Gary [Bettman] is on the biggest heater I have ever seen." – Dan (16:30)
  • Florida’s pirate festival, Gasparilla, layered the event with unique pageantry and citywide party vibes.
• The Lightning organization praised for embracing the event theme: pirate ships, costumes, and pre-game spectacle.
  • "The Lightning franchise leaned in harder than almost any team they've ever worked with on one of these." – Chris (25:01)
• Suggestion: the NHL and cities should add more themed games and public festivities to boost engagement.

b. The Game Itself: Electric Moments

• Norcain NHL Watch Launch:

  • The hosts collaborated with Norcain during the event, unveiling an NHL-specific watch made with ground-up pucks; shout-out to the Norcain team for heightened experience (26:57 – 28:12).

• Game Highlights:

  • Lightning’s Brandon Hagel scores 11 seconds in—ignites crowd (28:56).
  • Star performances from Kucherov, Hagel, Geekie, Pastrnak, Swayman, and Vasilevskiy.

• Notable Quote:

  • "That was the most fun I've ever had in an outdoor game." – Dan (16:08)

c. The Swayman–Vasilevskiy Goalie Fight

• The episode’s centerpiece: a rare, crowd-exploding goalie fight.
  • "When I tell you, I almost fell out of the suite because I ran so fast to the edge of the window." – Dan (31:06)
  • "I've never seen a goalie fight live. That was an all time, you know, remember it forever moment." – Chris (33:09)
• Both goalies enjoyed the moment, smiling and sharing a mutual respect.

d. Officiating Drama: The 8-Minute 5-on-3

• Seven straight penalties against Boston led to a prolonged 5-on-3 for the Lightning.
  • "There is that element of a game where... what are we doing here?" – Dan (34:13)
  • Post-game frustration visible from Bruins’ players.

e. Final Thoughts & “Greatest Game” Assertions

• Despite controversy, both hosts agree: best outdoor game they’ve attended.
  • “Best outdoor game of all time possibly. It's certainly up there. It's certainly the best one I've ever been to.” – Dan (42:23)

5. Broader Reflections: Sports Pageantry & City Festivals

• The hosts advocate for more theme nights, citywide celebrations (drawing inspiration from Gasparilla) across North America.
  • "Think about the NHL doing more pageantry... I think once a week we needed a... pageant game." – Dan (18:55)
  • Fun riff on inventing new, city-specific theme weekends.

6. College Hockey Segment: Netters College Puck Drop (43:50)

• Recap of the Penn State–Michigan State outdoor doubleheader (MSU dominates, big weekend for college hockey pageantry).
• Discussion of other key college matchups; shift in power rankings, with Michigan and MSU topping the list.
• Preview: “Game of the Week” is No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 1 Michigan.
  • "If you are going to watch college hockey ever in your fucking life, watch Michigan, Michigan State..." – Chris (55:02)

7. Sports Time Zone Debate (59:09)

• The hosts and Evan have a thoughtful debate about the best U.S. time zone for watching sports.
  • Evan stuns by stumping for Mountain Time as the "Goldilocks" choice.
  • "Mountain time zone is the Goldilocks of sports watching time zones." – Dan (66:22)
  • They highlight both the pros and cons of every region for catching live games.

8. Beer League Hotline: Locker Room Drama (70:30)

• Listener scenario: A new woman added as a sub ("good in the room and on the ice") brings her boyfriend, but another player's girlfriend takes issue, causing her partner to quit.
  • "This gal is a... absolutely... she's an angel. We got to keep." – Chris (76:13)
  • Suggested solutions: support women in the sport, encourage team/family integration; "double date" or even "wife swap" humorously proposed.
  • "This is an at home problem." – Dan (73:59)

9. Bauer Blind Ranking: Most Electric In-Game NHL Moments (76:59)

• The hosts do a "blind ranking" of in-arena moments:
  1. Goalie Fight
  2. Game-Tying Goal with Goalie Pulled
  3. Hat Trick (hats on the ice)
  4. Mid-game Penalty Shot
  5. Overtime Winner
• They defend the sometimes-controversial order with anecdotes and logic.
  • "A goalie fight is... I think a goalie fight's better than a goalie goal." – Dan (79:24)
  • "You're high fiving strangers when [a tying goal] happens." – Chris (80:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:45] Evan Watkins on Groundhog Day (and SoCal living):

  • "When you leave weather, which living in Southern California, you like, say goodbye to weather. You're like, who gives a fuck what's going on in Punk Satani."

• [16:30] Dan on Commissioner Bettman:

  • "Gary [Bettman] is on the biggest heater I have ever seen."

• [25:01] Chris on the Lightning:

  • "The Lightning franchise leaned in harder than almost any team they've ever worked with on one of these."

• [31:06] Dan on the Goalie Fight Moment:

  • "When I tell you, I almost fell out of the suite because I ran so fast to the edge of the window..."

• [33:09] Chris on witnessing a Goalie Fight live:

  • "I've never seen a goalie fight live. That was an all time, you know, remember it forever moment..."

• [42:23] Dan wraps the Stadium Series:

  • "Best outdoor game of all time possibly. It's certainly up there. It's certainly the best one I've ever been to..."

• [66:22] Dan, on time zones for sports:

  • "Mountain time zone is the Goldilocks of sports watching time zones."

• [76:13] Chris, on the “Beer League Hotline” scenario:

  • "This gal is a... absolutely... she's an angel. We got to keep..."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:54 – Evan Watkins joins the pod
• 03:14 – 07:35 – Groundhog Day/weather riff
• 07:48 – 13:22 – Barry Trotz/Nashville news, discussion
• 14:44 – 42:23 – Stadium Series recap, pageantry, game drama, Swayman-Vasilevskiy fight
• 43:50 – 55:02 – College Hockey (Netters College Puck Drop)
• 59:09 – 67:37 – U.S. Time Zone debate for sports watching
• 70:30 – 76:21 – Beer League Hotline: Team drama and suggested solutions
• 76:59 – 82:39 – Bauer Blind Ranking: Most electric NHL live moments

Episode Tone

• Language: Casual, irreverent, and brotherly—filled with inside jokes and non-stop banter.
• Energy: High, enthusiastic, and fun with occasional detours into sentimental and sincere appreciation for the hockey world.

For New Listeners

This episode perfectly captures the Empty Netters vibe: smart hockey analysis, infectious fun, strong opinions softened by humor, and a passion for growing the sport’s fun factor—on the ice, in the stands, and at the community level. You'll walk away feeling like you just hung out with your hockey friends for two hours.