The NHL has announced two more outdoor games for next season.
The first, the annual Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will be hosted at Busch Stadium on January 2, and feature some familiar faces – the Chicago Blackhawks, who will be facing off against the St. Louis Blues.
This is the Blackhawks fifth outdoor game, and the fourth consecutive one, which is drawing a lot of backlash from fans of teams not named the Chicago Blackhawks.
And it's official: #Blackhawks-Blues at Busch Stadium on Jan. 2, 2017. Strike up the band.
— Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN) March 10, 2016
However, if that’s not your preferred game, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be facing off against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 18, for the NHL Stadium Series at Heinz Field.
The battle of PA is heading outdoors! See you at Heinz Field on 02.18.17. Details: https://t.co/u6N298Pk2B pic.twitter.com/3qhG9rR6vP
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 10, 2016
Heinz Field is the first stadium to see a repeat of an outdoor game, and will be used to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the two clubs – and their animosity.
Despite the rise in outdoor games recently, there have been nine teams that have yet to play in one. And unfortunately for the NHL, ratings are down across the board, with last year’s Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens posting the worst rating for any Winter Classic on NBC.
With the announcement this evening that brings the total outdoor games next season up to four.
2016-17 NHL outdoor games
Oct 23: EDM/WPG (IG Field)
Jan 1: DET/TOR (BMO Field)
Jan 2: CHI/STL (Busch Stadium)
Feb 18: PHI/PIT (Heinz Field)— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 10, 2016
Kicking things off will be the Heritage Classic between the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers, followed by the Centennial Classic (also announced today) between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, before getting to the Winter Classic, and wrapping up with the Stadium Series.
With this many outdoor games, it will be easy to see who is tired of the spectacle, and who already has their toque and mittens on.
The post NHL announces Winter Classic, Stadium Series games appeared first on Todays SlapShot.