The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) based in Denver, Colorado. The Colorado Avalanche compete in the Central Division of the Western Conference along with St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets. The Colorado Avalanche had a heated rivalry with the Detroit Red Wings which resulted in an on-ice brawl in 1997. This brawl received many nicknames including “Brawl in Hockeytown”, “Fight Night at the Joe”, and “Bloody Wednesday”, but since 2002 their rivalry has died down somewhat.
The Colorado Avalanche play their home games at the Pepsi Center in Denver, which opened in 1999. They were originally known as the Quebec Nordiques from 1972, but in 1995 they moved and changed their name to the Colorado Avalanche and played their home games at the McNichols Sports Arena for 4 years, before moving to the Pepsi Center.
The Pepsi Center has a capacity of 17,809 for its ice hockey matches and is also home to the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, and the National Lacrosse League’s Colorado Mammoth. There have been many different events hosted at the arena including the International Convention and Contests of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and four UFC matches. There are also concerts hosted at the arena including the likes of Marco Antonio Solis, The Who, Jonas Brothers, and Sara Bareilles.
When you get the munchies Denver has a tons of classic dishes to try. Must try’s include Fry Bread at Tocabe, Smothered Mexican Hamburger at The Original Chubbys and Steubie Snacks at Steuben’s.