Earlier today the NHL announced that the “Heritage Classic” outdoor regular season NHL game will return to Canada in the 2010/2011 NHL season. The Calgary Flames will play host to the Montreal Canadiens on February 20th, with the game being played at McMahon Stadium (home to the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders).
This Heritage Classic game will mark the 7th outdoor NHL regular season game, as the Penguins will also host the Washington Capitals in the winter classic game on New Year’s Day earlier in the season. This year will be the first time there will be two outdoor games in the same season, and it looks like the outdoor game is becoming a staple in the NHL.
Since the 2003 Heritage Classic, which was hosted in Edmonton, there have been four outdoor games all played in the US. Buffalo hosted Pittsburgh in 2008, the Blackhawks hosted the Red Wings in 2009 at Wrigley Field, and last year we saw the Flyers in Boston for their game at Fenway Park.
McMahon Stadium, which is located on the campus of the University of Calgary, has a capacity listed at just over 35,000, but Flames President Ken King announced that there will be additional seating available and the attendance is expected to be roughly 40,000 for the February 20th game.
Tickets for the game are not yet available, and no date has yet to be released when tickets will go on sale. If you are in the area make sure you keep an eye out for the ticket date, as the tickets will be sure to go very quickly!
Sportsbooks have the Calgary Flames listed at +3300 odds to win the Stanley Cup this year, and the Montreal Canadiens are listed at very slightly better odds at +3000. Place your preseason bets on the Stanley Cup at Sportsbook.com!