Rogers Hometown Hockey takes over Pier 8

You can play the game, you can watch the game, you can analyze the game, you can celebrate the game.

Rogers Hometown Hockey, which is becoming a permanent part of the Canadian hockey calendar, ends its third season with its first stop in Hamilton this weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, Pier 8 will be crammed with free outdoor activities that pay homage to Canada’s national winter game.

The weekend culminates with a viewing of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ final regular-season contest of this campaign, against the Columbus Blue Jackets, from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

That game could have playoff-position implications for both teams.

Hosted by Ron MacLean and Tara Slone, Sunday’s televised portion of the weekend begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be anchored by the broadcast of the National Hockey League game, and feature stories on Hamilton hockey and hockey heroes.

Among the activities free to the public are the Rogers Fan Hub, highlighted by technology-driven interactive games; the Rogers NHL Viewing Room, where fans can imitate NHL officials and deal with a challenged play in the NHL Situation Room; a face-office challenge; and the OK Tire Race.

NHL alumni will be on hand for meetand-greets, there will be pickup hockey games and skills competitions on the McDonald’s Ball Hockey Rink, free McDonald’s coffee and free pizza from Dr. Oetker Giuseppe Pizzeria and the Dodge Family Zone, a multifaceted area that includes a hockey-themed obstacle course.

Hometown Hockey runs from noon until 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at Pier 8, 47 Discovery Dr.

Details and updates are available at hometownhockey.com/.