Outdoor Hockey

[hoot-owl]

The way most of these guys started playing--outdoors, in the snow and cold. Heck the way I started playing.....

Thoroughly enjoy the NHL's efforts to host games at some classic outdoor ballparks--Wrigley and Fenway. The best of the games still might be the first--with 70,000 people in a snowstorm in Buffalo.

[mintacular]

Hockey is so underrated in the USA. Hopefully events like this can stimulate more intersest. I wish they would have put the Pens back in this years game.

[Writehooks]

I agree with your sentiments, Peter, but Buffalo was only the first outdoor game to be dubbed the "Winter Classic."

The modern NHL's first outdoor game was played here in Edmonton in 2004. The "Heritage Classic" between the Oilers and Montreal Canadiens in front of 58,000 fans in minus-40 degree temperatures at Commonwealth Stadium was truly a sight to behold — particularly since it was preceded by a 40-minute oldtimers game featuring Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt and more than a dozen other Hall of Famers from the Oilers and Habs.

Since it was too cold to use Zambonis to clean the ice during the oldtimers game, Lafleur, Messier and several others simply picked up push-scrapers and methodically cleaned the surface by skating back and forth for 15 minutes. It was an unforgettable sight — and earned a well-deserved standing ovation. Truly an iconic moment in the history of our national game.

[Rob D.]

A lot of hockey fans in Columbus would love to see the Blue Jackets play in Ohio Stadium. Could you imagine 100,000 people at a hockey game? Unfortunately, the two main parties -- the Blue Jackets and Ohio State -- have shown little interest publicly in working together to make it happen.

[sox1903wschamp]

I think everyone who maybe interested and in a Northern City will get a shot. Yesterday was a great day to be a Bruin fan. Best day/moment since 72 (IMO).

[Ksquared]

What a great idea! i'm not a hockey fan, but have watched all of the games over the past few years that they've played outside. They should do more of it (but not too much). Maybe the all-star game.

[t206wagner]

The first ever AHL outdoor game is scheduled this year in Syracuse, NY. Syracuse is playing Binghamton on 2/20 and I can't wait to see it. Should be a good time. I hope it is snowing but the way the weather is in February here, it will probably be raining.