Caps to host outside game next year at US Naval Academy vs leafs March 3rd 2018

[Hivemind]

People need to accept that outdoor games are largely a live experience. They don't necessarily need to particularly cater them towards the television audience or fans in general (as they did in the first couple Winter Classics for novelty factor). Even when the novelty is gone, they still provide a really cool experience for the fans in attendance.

 

[GoJetsGo55]

The Caps finally get an outdoor game.

 

[Unspecified]

Same ole' set of teams year in and year out. Booooooring! Next up Detroit, Montreal, Pitt and Philly to be announced they will also participate in an outdoor games.

 

[Kamiccolo]

People need to accept that outdoor games are largely a live experience. They don't necessarily need to particularly cater them towards the television audience or fans in general (as they did in the first couple Winter Classics for novelty factor). Even when the novelty is gone, they still provide a really cool experience for the fans in attendance.

Explain? Everyone I have seen the fans are a football field away at best. They can see little dots going by, and can't see much of the puck depending on where you are sitting.

So freezing outside, barely seeing anything and paying out the ass to do it sounds PRETTY unappealing when I can pay 50 bucks for some booze and a pizza, sit in my warm PJ's and see it up close on my TV.

 

[Filatov2Kovalev2Bonk]

Explain? Everyone I have seen the fans are a football field away at best. They can see little dots going by, and can't see much of the puck depending on where you are sitting.

So freezing outside, barely seeing anything and paying out the ass to do it sounds PRETTY unappealing when I can pay 50 bucks for some booze and a pizza, sit in my warm PJ's and see it up close on my TV.

The one here in Ottawa will be at a smaller field so there should be decent sight lines. I can see how it wouldn't be worth it with the bigger fields though, for sure.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Same ole' set of teams year in and year out. Booooooring! Next up Detroit, Montreal, Pitt and Philly to be announced they will also participate in an outdoor games.

Montreal was already announced as the visitors when they play Ottawa in the NHL100 Classic on December 16, 2017.

 

[Big Z Man 1990]

This will be fun to watch. It's only a matter if Ovechkin will be part of the Caps by the time the game happens.

 

[Nut Upstrom]

wouldnt be surprised if nearly all tickets go to the navy as well as the students on campus

probably going to do the same thing with the game between isles/rangers and whoever at west point

Over the top displays of patriotism is going to delay the start of this game by 45 minutes, but recruitment will be going through the roof.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Explain? Everyone I have seen the fans are a football field away at best. They can see little dots going by, and can't see much of the puck depending on where you are sitting.

So freezing outside, barely seeing anything and paying out the ass to do it sounds PRETTY unappealing when I can pay 50 bucks for some booze and a pizza, sit in my warm PJ's and see it up close on my TV.

It's an amazing experience as long as they're cultivating a UNIQUE environment. A festival atmosphere comparable to attending All Star Weekend or the Stanley Cup Finals.

If we were still doing one of these a year (meaning there would have been a total of 9 to date) then people would still be getting hyped to find out their team was in it, and fans would still be flocking across the continent to take part.

Instead we do 5 at a time and nobody gives a ****. It's just an inconvenience on the schedule.

 

[Hivemind]

Explain? Everyone I have seen the fans are a football field away at best. They can see little dots going by, and can't see much of the puck depending on where you are sitting.

So freezing outside, barely seeing anything and paying out the ass to do it sounds PRETTY unappealing when I can pay 50 bucks for some booze and a pizza, sit in my warm PJ's and see it up close on my TV.

It's not just about watching the game. It's about the atmosphere the stadium and the mutual experience. It's getting to watch an NHL game with far more people than any indoor stadium. It's about the festivities before the game (ranging from tailgaiting to the official booths and events set-up around the stadium). It's about the pomp and circumstance of the game's presentation. It's a festival of hockey celebration.

 

[HunterRice]

Parking is going to be atrocious, Annapolis is not set up for this.

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

Parking is going to be atrocious, Annapolis is not set up for this.

I guess you've never been to a Navy vs Air Force football game, or a spring or fall boat show, or Commissioning Week, or when the President visits the Academy. Annapolis is more than set up for this. I know I live in Annapolis.

 

[HunterRice]

Except the parking lot is not big at the stadium and is all reserved parking, the rest is residential parking.

 

[Beville]

Decent, Naval Academy.

Nothing like a bit of support for the troops!

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

Except the parking lot is not big at the stadium and is all reserved parking, the rest is residential parking.

Parking is reserved around the stadium for FOOTBALL games. We are talking about a HOCKEY game. Plenty of room to park at the stadium and at the school complex not even a block away if need be.

Regardless, native son Travis Pastrana is bringing his Nitro Circus to the stadium on July 23rd. Nice opportunity to see if the stadium is ready to host a major professional event like an NHL outdoor game. There shouldn't be an issues though.