Winter Classic coming to Nats Park in 2011?

[imref]

http://kirkscall.hockeyjournal.com/2010/02/2011-winter-classic-in-washington-d-c/

2011 Winter Classic in Washington D.C.?

New England Hockey Journal has learned that a favorite to host the  2011 Winter Classic, now an annual event for the NHL, is the Washington Capitals.

If approved, the game will be held at Nationals Park in Washington D.C., and although an opponent is yet to be decided, a source close to the situation said that the Pittsburgh Penguins may get the call to further capitalize on the white-hot rivalry between Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin and his Pens counterpart, Sidney Crosby. Granted, the Penguins have already gotten a Winter Classic game (they beat Buffalo in Orchard Park, N.Y. in 2008 with Crosby’s winning goal against Ryan Miller in a shootout), but the WC is all about the green, and a Caps-Pens tilt would generate lots of cash and intense interest.

I can tell you that there were a lot of disappointed folks in the nation’s capital last summer when it became known that the Bruins’ opponent would be the Philadelphia Flyers, so this should soothe the hurt feelings a bit if/when it becomes official.

[CALSGR8]

I heard that it would be at Yankees stadium w/ Caps vs. Rangers.  Like a previous thread, there isn't enough around the stadium for a big event like that.

[PANatsFan]

I heard that it would be at Yankees stadium w/ Caps vs. Rangers.  Like a previous thread, there isn't enough around the stadium for a big event like that.

I feel like there is enough within walking distance to equal PNC, where you have to walk across the bridge to find anything, or Citizens Bank, which is basically in the middle of a giant fart. PNC had the all-star game very recently.

[UMDNats]

I heard that it would be at Yankees stadium w/ Caps vs. Rangers.  Like a previous thread, there isn't enough around the stadium for a big event like that.

Not going to happen anytime soon. Yankee stadium has a bowl game until 2014.

[NatsDad14]

If you are going to have it in DC, you need to do it at the Mall.

[UMDNats]

If you are going to have it in DC, you need to do it at the Mall.

Why? There would be like no stands.  It'd look cool but it's not logical.

[blue911]

Why? There would be like no stands.  It'd look cool but it's not logical.

No beer.

[UMDNats]

No beer.

This too.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Potentially too warm in DC to pull off the winter classic.  Has Detroit had it yet?

[Minty Fresh]

Why not RFK Stadium?

[Dave B]

Potentially too warm in DC to pull off the winter classic.  Has Detroit had it yet?

you dont need natural ice. they could pull it off

[PatsNats28]

What about the new Target Field? Seems like it'd be a nice thing for a new park.

[sportsfan882]

The Minnesota Wild are lame

[PatsNats28]

Okay, what about Invesco Field then? Or Citi Field/New Meadowlands? Or Heinz Field/PNC Park?

[UMDNats]

Okay, what about Invesco Field then? Or Citi Field/New Meadowlands? Or Heinz Field/PNC Park?

1. Colorado has TERRIBLE attendance. Young team, they can definitely host in 2-3 years IF their attendance picks up.
2. Citi Field would be a waste. If you're going NY, you need Yankee Stadium. New Meadowlands, unlikely. Devils can't host. Terrible fanbase.
3. Heinz Field hosts Steelers, Pitt, and high school football. No way they let the NHL take over for a weekend during football season.
4. PNC Park would be fine except for the fact that the Penguins have already been in one. No way they let them host this soon.


Minnesota would be an AWFUL idea. I feel like I've had to explain this 100 times. The Wild have NO big names for the casual fan. They aren't some great team, either. Don't play some exciting brand of hockey.

Minny is a wonderful hockey market but the WC is for the casual fan.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

1. Colorado has TERRIBLE attendance. Young team, they can definitely host in 2-3 years IF their attendance picks up.
2. Citi Field would be a waste. If you're going NY, you need Yankee Stadium. New Meadowlands, unlikely. Devils can't host. Terrible fanbase.
3. Heinz Field hosts Steelers, Pitt, and high school football. No way they let the NHL take over for a weekend during football season.
4. PNC Park would be fine except for the fact that the Penguins have already been in one. No way they let them host this soon.


Minnesota would be an AWFUL idea. I feel like I've had to explain this 100 times. The Wild have NO big names for the casual fan. They aren't some great team, either. Don't play some exciting brand of hockey.

Minny is a wonderful hockey market but the WC is for the casual fan.

The event and its novelty makes the attendance, so I would not knock out Colorado and Minnesota on that basis.  Minnesota is a great hockey area, too. 

Temperature does make a difference.  Much above 40 causes a problem, and single digits is bad for the ice, too.  I think I heard that the ideal tempterature is around 22 degrees for the ice and high 20s / low 30s for the air.  They would actually have to warm the ice to keep it from being too brittle were it too cold.

[PebbleBall]

Potentially too warm in DC to pull off the winter classic.  Has Detroit had it yet?

They've held an outdoor preseason game in Las Vegas before.