by Uno_up » Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:42 am
Yankee or Shea Stadium, even the Big House. NHL could take it outside some more
By IRA PODELL, AP Hockey Writer
January 5, 2008
Line 'em up.
After watching the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins play in the snow, the potential sites for the next outdoor game are limitless.
How about a winter farewell to New York's Yankee Stadium or Shea Stadium, which both have one baseball season left before they are replaced by new digs.
The Rangers could play the local Islanders or New Jersey Devils, or even the Bruins in a new chapter of the New York-Boston rivalry on the field where Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams faced off.
There has already been some buzz that the Penguins might face the Philadelphia Flyers in an all-Pennsylvania showdown in Happy Valley, right on the field where Joe Paterno has roamed the Penn State football sideline for decades.
Or maybe in Michigan. Detroit has apparently lost the title of "Hockeytown," but the Red Wings could look to create a new one in Ann Arbor at the Big House.
Just think if the rival Colorado Avalanche came there, or even the Chicago Blackhawks in what would be a compelling Original Six matchup.
"It was great. It was fun to watch," Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville said of Pittsburgh's 2-1 shootout win over Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium. "It brings back old-time memories, when you're out there skating and get hit with a snowflake in the eye while in the backyard, around the lake."
The NHL has pulled off the event twice in the regular season, and drew a league-record crowd for the New Year's Day matchup this week. Ratings were up, too, and when was the last time hockey could claim that?
If it'll play in Buffalo, how about a Montreal-Toronto matchup with the roof open at the former SkyDome?
"If we played outdoor every game, it would be neat," Sabres forward Jason Pominville said. "It takes a lot of preparation, but if we can do it once a year, I don't see why we couldn't do it every year."