We've still got another 12 days before the Penguins and the Sabres take to the ice in Buffalo for the inaugural NHL Winter Classic, and we're already hearing talk that the league is looking to replicate the event elsewhere. In this case, the Flyers are taking a serious look at hosting the Penguins (again) outdoors on the campus of Penn State University at Beaver Stadium:
I guess it only makes sense to bring an event like this to a college campus, as it was two college hockey programs that kick-started the outdoor stadium hockey craze in the first place. I'm talking about Michigan and Michigan State, who played to a 3-3 tie outdoors at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing in October 2001 before almost 75,000 fans. To get a better idea of what it all looked like, take a gander at the video after the jump that includes interviews with future NHL players Ryan Miller and Mike Camalleri."I've been up to Penn State for some football games," coach John Stevens told the Philadelphia Daily News. "The atmosphere up there is just unbelievable. It's a great town. It's halfway between Pittsburgh and here. It's an ideal situation. You'd get fans from both teams."
Philadelphia center R.J. Umberger, who is from Plum, agreed.
"Just imagine how intense and fun that would be in an outdoor game," he said. "To play at Penn State there, the fans from Pittsburgh and Philly, it would be insane, probably one of the best games in NHL history."
An NHL spokesman said the league has not discussed the possibility with the Flyers or Penguins. Penn State officials could not be reached.
Thanks to the Sidney Crosby Show for the pointer.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Other future NHL names I noticed in that video were Mike Komisarek, Adam Hall, and Jim Slater.
Posted at 5:10PM on Dec 20th 2007 by Doogie2K
2. I always thought an Eagles vs. Steelers matchup would be great, but this would be too.
I hope that this event could be used to generate momentum for making Penn State hockey a varsity sport. I have been told be a well-placed source within the university that funding for a D-I arena has been identified, but the university has been told to hold off a few years on any more major building projects.
I belive that If/when Penn State goes D-I, the Big11Ten can begin sponsoring hockey competition -- they'll have enough teams.
Posted at 10:59AM on Dec 23rd 2007 by WFY
3. if there is going to be another game like this at happy valley, why should the penguins be considered again when they are playing outdoors next week? I am sure that the flyers could get another divisional team who would want to play in it Devils come to mind. Penguins may also start next season in Europe, they play outdoors this year, and possibly next year. there are 30 teams in the NHL, the league does not have to cowtow to the penguins, give all teams a chance
Posted at 6:58PM on Dec 27th 2007 by steve
4. The neutral geography of greater State College notwithstanding, NHL territorial coverage is oriented there towards the Penguins. I imagine that they would have to be involved in any Beaver Stadium game.
Posted at 10:23AM on Jan 3rd 2008 by Everett W.