Thunderbirds, Convention Center Authority open ‘The Landing’ outside new garage

SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined Wednesday the celebration for the grand opening of “The Landing,” the outdoor plaza and event space outside the MassMutual Center.

But Sarno imagined an even bigger celebration there this coming June, a rally celebrating an envisioned Calder Cup championship for the American Hockey League Springfield Thunderbirds .

“How’ bout those T-Birds,” he said.

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority opened The Landing with a lunchtime event. Folks listened to a band, perused a food truck and could choose between shooting a puck into a net or a basketball into a hoop. There were oversized chess and checker sets and conversations.

“Hopefully, it will be an extension of what we do in our arena night after night,” said Nathan Costa, president of Sp