I wanna see teams like Tampa Bay and the Kings play in one of these type games.


Report: Penguins, Sabres to play outdoor game

08/25/2007 -

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - The NFL had its Ice Bowl, and now the NHL wants the face of its league to be a part of its version.

According to a report in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, league Most Valuable Player Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins will play the Buffalo Sabres in an outdoor regular-season game on New Year's Day at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the NFL's Bills.

Citing several undisclosed sources, the report states that the 1 p.m. game - tentatively being titled "Ice Bowl" - will air nationally on NBC.

Now, Buffalo in the winter is far from balmy, so expect more than just a cool breeze.

The league has not made an official comment, but according to the report, one is expected September 10, prior to the start of training camps.

"If and when we have something to announce, we will make sure the announcement gets heard," NHL vice president of media relations Frank Brown told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The NHL has one outdoor game under its belt.

The Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers played in "The Heritage Classic" on November 22, 2003 at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. The contest was attended by 57,167 people, the largest contingent to watch a live NHL game, despite temperatures of minus-22 degrees wind chill. The regular-season game was held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Oilers joining the NHL in 1979.

After an alumni game featuring legends Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, Richard Zednik scored both the game's first goal and the eventual game-winner in the Canadiens' 4-3 victory over the Oilers.

College hockey has also thrown its helmet into the outdoor rink.

Michigan State University and rival Michigan also ventured outside to play in the "Cold War" in front of 74,544 on October 6, 2001. The game was played in an ice rink inside the much-larger Spartan Stadium, which plays host to the university's football team.

The NFL's version of the Ice Bowl is the most well-known.

The host Green Bay Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17, in the 1967 NFL Championship on December 31, 1967. Played at Lambeau Field, the temperature was minus-13 degrees while the wind chill was 40 below.