Shooting the Calder Cup Finals: My First Time Filming Hockey and What I Learned

When FloHockey asked me to film Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals between the Abbotsford Canucks and the Charlotte Checkers, I said yes without hesitation—even though I had never filmed hockey before.

This blog post breaks down the entire creative process—from gear selection and on-the-fly shooting strategy to post-production techniques I used to deliver a cinematic highlight reel by the next morning. Whether you’re new to sports videography or looking to level up, I hope this gives you a practical look into the grind behind great game-day content.

🎥 Gear Used

• Camera: Sony FX6

• Lenses:

  • Sony 70-200mm f/2.8

  • Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6

  • Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 (for establishing shots & atmosphere)

This setup gave me the flexibility to move fast, cover a huge range of focal lengths, and adapt to the arena's unpredictable lighting.

🏃‍♂️ On the Ground: Capturing the Action

The number one rule I had for myself that night: Don’t stand still. If you want to tell the full story of a live sporting event, you can’t be locked in one spot. I was constantly moving—tracking the pulse of the game, the fans, the bench, the ice crew, the officials. That’s where the story lives.

Filming hockey for the first time taught me quickly: puck speed is no joke. Anticipating movement is everything, and you have to learn the rhythm of the sport. By the second period, I had synced into the tempo enough to start thinking creatively, not just reactively.

🎬 Editing the Highlight: From Arena to Premiere Pro

Immediately after the final horn, I got to work. I needed to deliver an emotional, cinematic highlight package by the next morning. Here's how I pulled it off:

1. The Backbone: Broadcast Audio

I layered official commentary and arena sound from the mic feed to provide natural momentum. That was the spine of the story.

“The Calder Cup is in the building…” That phrase alone built instant gravity. I wrapped the edit around these soundbites.

2. The Glue: Sound Design

I treated sound design like a narrative tool. Whooshes and impacts weren’t just filler—they punctuated speed ramps, emphasized emotion, and made moments feel bigger. I let the energy build naturally.

3. The Signature: Ultimate Effects Pack

To bring a cinematic flair, I leaned into focus transitions built into my Ultimate Effects Pack for Premiere Pro. These custom effects use Gaussian blur to simulate lens racking, helping guide the viewer’s eye and create seamless motion.

They’re especially useful in fast-paced sports where the edit needs clarity without losing momentum.

4. Visual Flow: Speed Ramping + Slow Motion

Slow motion gave me the breathing room to highlight key moments—goals, celebrations, emotional fan reactions. I then speed ramped back into real time for game flow and pacing.

5. Moody Color Grade

I kept the palette cool and contrasty, leaning into the arena lighting while enhancing shadows to bring out the grit. Not overdone—just enough to set the mood.

💡 Key Lessons for Aspiring Sports Videographers

• Adaptability wins. Every sport is different. Trust your instincts and apply your skills—even if the environment is new.

• Sound tells the story. A strong audio bed guides emotion. Commentary, crowd noise, subtle effects—build with intention.

• Movement = energy, run, reposition, react. Your body becomes the tripod. Don’t rely on safe angles.

• Edit with rhythm. Let the footage breathe, then punch. Know when to slow down and when to attack.

🎞 Final Thoughts

This shoot was fast, intense, and incredibly rewarding. It pushed me creatively and reminded me why I love what I do.

If you’re a videographer looking to break into sports media, start by shooting anything—local games, rec leagues, high school tournaments. Learn how to follow motion, build a narrative, and deliver under pressure. You don’t need a massive crew. Just gear that works and a mindset that’s always ready to move.

And when in doubt… let the story build itself. Just be ready to capture it.