Local product enjoys a trip to the Stadium Series
By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Merv McCallum
McCallum, a frequent goer to Strathmore’s Boston Pizza, was thrilled to find out that his loyalty finally paid off a few weeks ago when he won a trip for two to the 2018 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series.
“I usually don’t win much, so this was a little different,” said McCallum. “It’s nice to change things up and win something for a change.”
His frequent trips to the local diner didn’t impact his chances of winning, but just made things sweeter to hear his name called at one of his favourite places to eat.
Each Wednesday and Saturday night for the past few months, draws were held from people in attendance during the airing of hockey games in the restaurant. Those winners were given a small prize and entered into the big draw that was finalized Feb. 2.
Surprisingly, the 71-year-old McCallum wasn’t in the restaurant during the final selection process. He was on a two-week road trip with his wife, Sharon, as they drove down to Nashville, Tenn., while making stops in New Orleans, San Antonio and everywhere in between.
“Washington has always been on our bucket list, so this is great that we finally get to go,” said McCallum.
This year’s instalment of the Stadium Series saw the Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 3 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. It is an open-air stadium seating 34,000 and plays home to the Navy Midshipmen college football and lacrosse teams.
This year, Alexander Ovechkin helped lead the way for the Washington Capitals when he added his 40th goal of the season in the 5-2 thumping of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Evgeny Kuznetsov each recorded a goal and two assists, while Jakub Vrana added one goal and Braden Holtby made 27 saves between the pipes for the Caps.
Zach Hyman and Nazem Kadri found the back of the net for the Leafs, who donned all-white jerseys for the first time.
The trip included a return flight package for McCallum and his wife, along with a two-night stay in the capital of the United States.
“We want to enjoy the bright lights of Washington, so we are going to stay a couple more days down there,” said McCallum.
Part of the experience, other than bus delivery to the game, is a three-hour tour of all the famous monuments and buildings around the D.C. area.
A Calgary Flames fan since day one, McCallum couldn’t be bothered by the two eastern conference playoff teams going at it, even though the game featured some of the sport’s greatest athletes like Ovechkin, Backstrom, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.
If McCallum plays his cards right, he could win another trip from his favourite establishment; Boston Pizza will award another trip for two, this time to the NHL Awards in Las Vegas later this summer.