The NHL sure knows how to pull off some awesome events, and its famous outdoor series is likely the best example. The yearly spectacle continues to be a must-watch event and has somehow managed to remain relevant even after each iteration. Whether or not you’re a diehard hockey fan, it’s still in your best interest to check out a Winter or Heritage Classic. If you’re a little late to the party and want to experience the whole thing live, you can rest assured knowing that there will be another outdoor game in the near future.
Today, the NHL announced that the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators will face off in the cold for the NHL 100 Classic. The two franchises will help the league celebrate its centennial season by playing on December 16th: the same week the NHL first dropped the puck way back in 1917. Fittingly enough, the two teams to square off on that same week were also the Habs and the Sens, making this year’s outdoor game a bit of a special moment for everyone. I guess it’s like Rust Cohle once said, “time is a flat circle”.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke with the media this morning and expressed his excitement.“By bringing the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens together outdoors at Lansdowne Park, we recreate and reimagine a match-up of founding NHL franchises, who launched 100 years of remarkable history for our League and our fans. The 2017 Scotiabank NHL 100 Classic will serve as another signature event in our Centennial celebration. (It) will set the stage for the next 100 years of NHL excitement and will contribute a unique sports moment to Canada’s sesquicentennial.”
The two teams will play at TD Place in Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park, which is also home to Grey Cup-winning football squad, the Red Blacks. Ticket availability and more information will be announced in the coming weeks.
