Dallas Stars fans won't be able to settle in around the home ice for the first couple of games of the Western Conference finals – they're in Detroit.

But Stars officials think they've come up with the next-best thing.

They're opening AT&T Plaza, on the south side of American Airlines Center, for free game-watching parties on Thursday, Saturday and whenever the Stars play, home or away.

Fans can watch the games on the plaza's 1,500-square-foot high-definition screen, enjoy live music and maybe win Stars merchandise and other prizes.

Concessions will offer food and drink (including beer, of course), and the Stars Street Squad will be out with inflatables and games.

Seating will be limited, Stars officials said, so fans should bring their own chairs or blankets to be sure of a place to sit. But leave coolers, food and beverages at home.

The parties start an hour before the puck drops at home games and a half-hour before at away games.

Word of the parties spread quickly on fan Web sites, to a mostly enthusiastic response.

But on the Stars' own site, some fans fretted about the trying conditions they might face in the North Texas springtime.

"The plaza is a good idea …until the heat finally hits, or a tornado rolls through," one battle-scarred fan wrote. "Forecast: Thursday, 88; Saturday, 89."

"And bathrooms, what about bathrooms?" someone else wondered.

"Portables," a fellow fan replied.

"Oh [expletive] no," the first said. "I know a lot of these people. And, ummmmm, no."

Fortunately, most fans thought a party was first rate.

"Let's get the party started and let's show team spirit come rain, shine, snow, sleet," one wrote.

"I watched movies on the plaza last summer," another added. "It's really nice out there. And it's not hot yet, so shut up.

"Wimps."