Tom,
Not a stupid question, but one that gets asked pretty often. Media Credentials are for working media. The NHL and the respective teams are pretty restrictive when it comes to issuing credentials, and unless you're working for an accredited media outlet, you're not gonna get in.
The covers were added for safety reasons. Primarily to keep pucks from flying out (believe it or not, it does happen - just last Sunday a puck rang off the edge of one of the holes while I had it open to use) and to stop the players from getting injured by getting bits and pieces of themselves hung up in the holes, and to keep fans from sticking things (including their fingers) through the hole. Ever been right next to the glass at a pro event when somebody gets checked into the boards?
The location pictured here is actually on the other side of the rink, section 119-120.
Dennis
