In 2021, the NHL, much like the rest of the world, was trying to deal with how they were going to get back to work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To play that season, many teams across the league played a majority of their games with no fans in attendance to ensure the safety of their communities.
Because of this strange season, the NHL wanted to do something special for its fans. Typically every season, the league puts on a few outdoor games that usually are located at football or baseball stadiums but due to the uncertain number of fans they would be allowed to have in attendance, the league saw no point in renting out a stadium of those sizes if they were not guaranteed any ticket sales revenue.
Because of that, the NHL decided to get creative, the league decided they were going to install an NHL-sized rink at Lake Tahoe where they would host two games in February of 2021 with no fans.
The games ended up being a hit in the hockey community because of how beautiful the views surrounding the ice surface were, not to mention it simply did a great job of bringing the game back to its roots. Just people playing a kid's game on the pond outside.
Admittedly, the ice surface wasn't the best, so much so that one of the games had to get delayed until the sun went down due to the ice being affected by the sun but that still didn't change the fact that this one of the best television viewing experiences any major sports league had ever put on.
Despite how much fans loved the idea, there has not been much dialogue surrounding whether the league would ever revisit a similar event, but if they were to do so, here are five locations I think would be awesome to host an NHL game, as well as some matchups I would be in favor of happening at these venues.
Banff National Park, Alberta: Edmonton Oilers Vs Calgary Flames
Let's get the most obvious one out of the way.
I am not sure there is a better representation of how beautiful the country of Canada is then the photos I have seen of Banff National Park during the winter. The backdrop of the rocky mountains never gets tired to look and it is a reason why Banff is a place I have on my bucket list of a place in Canada I need to visit.
A game between these two Albertan rivals needs to happen, and specifically, I need to see it while Connor McDavid is an Oiler. A photo of potentially the greatest player of all time when he hangs it up needs to be displayed at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Mount Washington, New Hampshire: Montreal Canadiens Vs Boston Bruins
I just found this out while writing this, but apparently, Mount Washington is the highest peak in Northeast America.
I don't expect anyone reading to know that right away, but once you look at how amazing the views are, you may end up booking your next winter vacation.
The Habs and Bruins have played outdoors before, but bringing this iconic NHL rivalry to Mount Washington would be a unique and new chapter in the battles between these franchises.
Whistler, British Columbia: Seattle Kraken Vs Vancouver Canucks
Before I even get into why an NHL Whistler game needs to happen, I will address the matchup quickly. I hate trying to force this as a "rivalry" with no history between these teams besides three seasons' worth of regular season games, but logistically, not just for the players, as well as the fans of both teams makes the most sense which is why I am going with this.
Now, the ski capital of Canada and perhaps even North America needs to be the host of an NHL game. The snowy mountains paired with the blue sky in Whistler would be a mesmerizing thing to look at.
I would make the trip out ASAP for this event if it were to ever happen.
Lake Placid, New York: Pittsburgh Penguins Vs New York Rangers
One of the most iconic cities in hockey history, Lake Placid is where the USA "Miracle On Ice" 1980 Winter Olympic Team took down the Soviet Union on their way to capturing the gold medal.
Why not take the game back to one of the towns that is stepped in hockey history? Let's have the greatest player of this generation Sidney Crosby (who has the biggest goal in Olympic hockey history on his resume) with his Pittsburgh Penguins take on the New York Rangers in such a special hockey city.
Set up a rink outside of the Olympic Center in Lake Placid and give us one of the most historic hockey games ever played.
Alaska: Whichever Two Teams The NHL Gives Us
I know this may seem random, but hear me out. Although it is one of the most unpopulated regions in North America and probably would not get the funding to host an event like this, I believe the potential spectacle of an NHL game taking place in Alaska would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that would be an unforgettable viewing experience.
From the mountains in the back, the trees that would be covered in snow, and if the NHL could provide the proper lighting for the game, getting a backdrop of those beautiful lights in the sky would be a special experience for not just the NHL, but for the community of Alaska, a place that in my opinion, is not talked about enough for how beautiful it is place.
One more suggestion, have Anchorage native Scott Gomez drop the ceremonial faceoff.
Comments