Enduring appeal of NHL outdoor games lies in the experience

Gary Bettman sounded a bit defensive while in Minneapolis on Wednesday to promote the Feb. 21, 2016, Stadium Series game between the Wild and the Blackhawks.

“I have no doubt the game will be sold out and will be a big deal,” Bettman told the gathering of press and local dignataries at TCF Bank Stadium. “Everything around the game—FanFest, the alumni game—will all be great. These games, wherever they are, do extraordinarily well, particularly in a place like Minnesota and a stadium like this, which will be very intimate for 50-plus-thousand people. It’s going to be a great weekend.”

No need for the hard sell, Mr. Commissioner. You’re absolutely right when you say fans, cities and teams “can't get enough” of the great outdoors, and that the games are “far from being overdone or oversaturated.”

Forget the haters. We say, keep 'em comin'.

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There have been 13 outdoor games in the wake of Winter Classic’s epic debut in Buffalo back in 2008. And while many of the obvious markets and stadiums will have had their moment after next season’s slate of three contests (in addition to the tilt between Chicago and Minnesota, the Bruins will take on the Canadiens at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., in the Jan. 1 Winter Classic, and the Red Wings will play the Avalanche at Denver’s Coors Field on Feb. 27), there is still a hunger to see hockey played in the elements.

Oh sure, some folks will complain that playing outdoors isn’t as magical as it used to be when there was only a game on New Year’s Day. Maybe the Blackhawks are a bit overexposed—the game against the Wild will be the fourth outdoor game for six current Chicago players. And no one wants to see a repeat of the well-intentioned but ill-conceived plan that saw two games played over four days at Yankee Stadium in 2014.

But all things considered, the outdoor games continue to bring spectacle to a long and sometimes tedious regular season that needs the occasional jolt. They’re also a big hit with sponsors and advertisers. And don’t forget that playing in front of 50,000 fans (at prices of up to $449 a seat) instead of 20,000 adds a nice bit of change to the pile of hockey-related revenue. That makes everyone—the people writing the checks, and the ones cashing them—very happy.

And there’s this: The players love ’em.

“I told the guys as soon as it was announced, it’s something they’ll appreciate and remember forever,” said Minnesota winger Thomas Vanek, who has skated in outdoor games with the Sabres and the Islanders.

“This is how we grew up,” the Wild’s Zach Parise said. “[Skating outdoors is] what we did. That’s what the majority of kids in Minnesota do. It’s a way of life here.”

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Defenseman Mike Reilly, who played in the 2014 Hockey City Classic against Ohio State when he was at Minnesota, can’t wait for another chance to play outdoors.

“We were all jacked up for the whole week,” he said of the experince two years ago. “You’re kind of in awe, looking around being in a football stadium on a little sheet of ice.”

That’s the key to appreciating the outdoor concept right there. Outside of that snow globe debut in Buffalo, these games aren’t exactly made-for-TV events. They’re made-to-attend events. And by staging three or so per season at various locales across the hockey map, the league is giving fans a chance to experience them in person.

Hockey doesn’t have a singular unifying event like the Super Bowl or the NCAA national basketball championship, but the outdoor games come pretty close. And that’s why cities like Toronto and Winnipeg, and facilities like Ohio Stadium and Beaver Stadium, are lining up to host the next one.

So don’t worry about those haters, Mr. Bettman. There’s still plenty of interest in outdoor games ... and that won’t change any time soon.

Gallery: NHL Outdoor Games

The NHL Outdoors

Stadium Series 2016

Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

Since the NHL staged its first Winter Classic on Jan. 1, 2008 outdoor games have proved to be extremely popular with fans as well as players. Minnesota got its first on Feb. 21, 2016, a tilt against the Central Division rival Chicago Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

Stadium Series 2016

Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

A boisterous crowd of 50,246 enjoyed relatively comfortable 36-degree weather and a romp by the hometown Wild.

Stadium Series 2016

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Center Jason Pominville and his linemates Nino Niederreiter and Erik Haula had a big day, combining for three goals and eight points in Minnesota’s 6–1 rout. With a goal and two assists apiece, Pominville and Haula tied the NHL outdoor game scoring record held by seven other players.

Stadium Series 2016

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

A tough day for Niklas Hjalmarsson and the rest of the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks, who were held at bay by Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (31 saves), who lost his shutout on a goal by Patrick Kane with 7:55 to go in the third period.

Winter Classic 2016

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

In 2016, the traditional New Year's Day event returned to Boston. Fenway Park hosted the Bruins and visiting Philadelphia Flyers in 2010. This time, the site was the more modern Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL's Patriots. The Bruins' foes were their traditional bitter rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.

Winter Classic 2016

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

There was a surprising warm, communal spirit to the day as nearly 70,000 Bruins and Canadiens fans gathered at Gillette Stadium, tailgating and partying from the early morning until the 1:30 p.m puck drop. The weather was reasonably mild (about 40 degrees) and the ice condition was excellent and fast.

Winter Classic 2016

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Canadiens goalie Mike Condon (left) was the big story of the day. A Massachusetts native, he had the unenviable task of replacing the injured Carey Price while the Habs tried to crack his counterpart, Tuukka Rask in Boston's net. Both teams wore special throwback jerseys for the game.

Winter Classic 2016

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The return of the injured Brendan Gallagher sparked Montreal's offense to an easy 5–1 win. Constant pressure on the Bruins and a goal off a batted puck enabled the Habs to open a 3-0 lead by the end of the second period. Boston drew within 3-1 on a Matt Beleskey tally at 3:36 of the third, but the game was never in doubt.

Winter Classic 2015

Dave Sanford/Getty Images

The 2015 edition was awarded to Nationals Park in Washington D.C. with the Capitals hosting the Chicago Blackhawks.

Winter Classic 2015

Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated

A crowd of 42,832 fans filled the park on a brilliant winter afternoon with a game time temperature of an almost balmy 44 degrees.

Winter Classic 2015

Ice conditions were very good. Despite concerns about dangerous sun glare, the game started on time, though the teams switched ends at the 10-minute mark of the first period.

Winter Classic 2015

Mark Goldman/Icon SMI

After the Blackhawks tied the score at 2-2 in the second period, the game settled into a defensive battle. Winger Troy Brouwer would prove to be the man of the hour.

Winter Classic 2015

Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin put Washington up 2-0 midway through the first period, but Chicago goalie Corey Crawford settled down and proved tough to beat after that.

Winter Classic 2015

Mark Goldman/Icon SMI

With 12.9 seconds left in regulation, Troy Brouwer delivered the game-winning goal for the Capitals. The ending was even more special as Brouwer's father, who had been recovering from a stroke, attended the game—the first time he had seen his son play in Washington.

Stadium Series 2015

Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated

Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, in Santa Clara hosted Northern California's first outdoor game, a clash between the local favorite San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 21, 2015.

Stadium Series 2015

Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated

A crowd of 70,205 looked on in 57-degree weather as the puck dropped on a game that had playoff implications for both teams. (Neither would qualify.)

Stadium Series 2015

Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated

Musical entertainment has been a staple at outdoor games. The Kings-Sharks tilt at Levi's Stadium featured former Creedence Clearwater Revival front man John Fogerty (seen here) as well as Melissa Etheridge.

Stadium Series 2015

Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated

The Kings prevailed, 2-1, on goals by Kyle Clifford and Marian Gaborik, who potted the game-winner at the 4:04 mark of the third period.

Stadium Series 2014

Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI

In 2014, the league pulled out all the stops and scheduled six of outdoor games. Four were part of a Stadium Series with one at Soldier Field in Chicago, one at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and two at New York's fabled Yankee Stadium.

Stadium Series 2014

Brian Kersey/Getty Images

The game at Soldier Field on March 1 drew a sellout crowd of 62,921 for the hometown Blackhawks' battle with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The fans didn't seem to mind the heavy snow, swirling wind, and 17-degree cold.

Stadium Series 2014

Robin Alam/Icon SMI

Snow accumulated quickly on the ice, turning the Chicago game into a glorified game of pond shinny. But there were no complaints, at least not from Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. "Probably the greatest setting you could want," he later said. "With how hard it was snowing it was like, 'Wow, these are amazing conditions. I think everybody went back to when they were kids." Added Hawks forward Patrick Sharp. "The ice was very good, but that first period it was tough to see and handle the puck. It really felt like a real outdoor game. There were no real systems or structure. We were just kind of hoisting the puck, slapping it around and having fun."

Stadium Series 2014

Brian Babineaux/Getty Images

For Sidney Crosby (right), his third outdoor appearance wasn't quite as magical as his first (Buffalo, 2008). Playing his first game in Chicago since his rookie season (2005-06), the Penguins' captain was held to a mere three shots by the Blackhawks' defense.

Stadium Series 2014

Noah Graham/Getty Images

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was the scoring star for Chicago, beating Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury for two goals and tacking on an assist in his team's 5-1 win that dropped Pittsburgh's all-time mark to 1-2 outdoors. The Blackhawks are evened theirs to 1-1.

Heritage Classic 2014

Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

The NHL's third edition of the Heritage Classic, the game that first took the league outdoors in 2003, was held at Vancouver's retractable roofed B.C. Place on March 2. Unfortunately, the weather did not conspire to create a winter wonderland setting. Rain required a closing of the roof, turning the year's final outdoor game into an indoor match.

Heritage Classic 2014

Kevin Light/NHLI via Getty Images

Commissioner Gary Bettman (center) and league COO John Collins may have pressed the league's luck by scheduling so many outdoor games in one year. Tickets were still available the day of the Heritage Classic and fake snow was used to create the proper atmopshere. There were also some complaints about the ice. "I was glad (organizers) had the option to close [the roof|, because it probably would have ruined the game if it was raining out," Ottawa captain Jason Spezza said. "The ice got bad as it was with it closed."

Heritage Classic 2014

The game between the Ottawa Senators and hometown Canucks was billed as a celebration of some ancient hockey history: the 1915 Stanley Cup championship series between the original Senators and Vancouver's Millionaires. For this occasion, the teams wore throwback uniforms from that time period.

Heritage Classic 2014

After allowing two early goals, Senators goalie Craig Anderson (29 saves) and Ottawa's defense stifled the Canucks the rest of the way. Rookie Cody Ceci eventually put the Sens ahead for good as they rallied for a 4-2 win.

Heritage Classic 2104

Kathleen Hinkel/Icon SMI

Despite the weather setback, the 54,194 fans on hand enjoyed themselves. Well, given the final score, Senators fans likely had a better time than the hometown faithful, but conditions were certainly more comfortable than they'd been at most of the year's outdoor games. "It was a pretty cool setting, just to have that many people watch the game, and it was loud all game long," said Sens defenseman Cody Ceci. "We were in Vancouver, but there was a lot of Ottawa fans, so it's good to see fans come out all that way."

Stadium Series 2014

Rob Tringali/Sports Illustrated

The first game at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 26 had featured an installment of the Hudson River rivalry between the Rangers and New Jersey Devils in daylight. Three frosty nights later, the Islanders arrived to battle the Broadway Blueshirts.

Stadium Series 2014

Rob Tringali/Sports Illustrated

With the Big Apple trapped in a week-long Arctic vortex, fans were forced to bundle up against temperatures that started at 22 degrees for the opening puck drop and steadily descended toward zero as the wind chill played its part.

Stadium Series 2014

Elsa/Getty Images

Both teams' offenses were cold as the puck danced unpredictably across hard ice pockmarked with holes and cracks, but the Rangers managed to score twice and that was enough to edge their rivals, 2-1.

Stadium Series 2014

Rob Tringali/Sports Illustrated

Though the Rangers were officially the visiting team, most of the sell-out crowd of 50,027 was firmly in their corner.

Stadium Series 2014

Rob Tringali/Sports Illustrated

Now customary at the NHL's outdoor events, a touch of spectacle was provided by postgame fireworks and an earlier musical performance by Cee Lo Green.

Stadium Series 2014

Rob Tringali/Sports Illustrated

Having secured a precious two points, the Rangers headed home to the warmth of Madison Square Garden, where they hosted a rematch against the Islanders two nights later.

Stadium Series 2014

Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated

Yankee Stadium wasn't much warmer for its first NHL game on Jan. 26, which featured some sunshine, but the glare delayed the opening face-off by an hour or so.

Stadium Series 2014

Len Redkoles/Getty Images

Though the tilt was held in the Rangers' home city, it was technically a Devils home game. A sellout crowd of 50,105 braved temperatures that dropped below 20 degrees with occasional snow flurries.

Stadium Series 2014

Len Redkoles/Getty Images

The entertainment lineup had a distinct New Jersey flavor with Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes on the bill along with the cast of the Broadway musical "Jersey Boys." Radio City Music Hall's famed Rockettes declined to perform due to the cold.

Stadium Series 2014

Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated

Once the puck was dropped, the Devils rushed out to a quick 3-1 lead. Patrik Elias (with puck) scored twice on Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist.

Stadium Series 2014

Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated

It turned out to be an ugly day for Martin Brodeur, who was strafed for six goals on 21 shots as the Rangers roared back for a 7-3 win, doing their part to set an outdoor game scoring record by two teams. The Devils' iconic netminder was pulled for backup Cory Schneider after the second period. Brodeur later complained that the quality of the ice in the rink was the worst he had ever played on.

Stadium Series 2014

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The most exotic locale for an NHL outdoor game to date was surely sunny L.A. and Dodger Stadium, where the Stadium Series opened on January 25 with a game between the Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. Despite climate concerns, this event proved to be a widely hailed success.

Stadium Series 2014

LA's iconic ballpark was transformed into an entertainment palace featuring such distinct California touches as beach volleyball and yoga.

Stadium Series 2014

Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated

What would a game be without a little music? The USC Marching Band was the most unorthodox part of a lineup that included KISS and Five For Fighting.

Stadium Series 2014

Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated

Wayne Gretzky and his family were among the luminaries in attendance. After his landmark trade to the Kings in 1988, the Great One envisioned an outdoor game being played in LA some day. The Dodger Stadium event also marked his public return to the NHL spotlight after a lengthy dispute over pay that he was owed to him from his years as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Stadium Series 2014

Jae C. Hong/AP

With game time temperatures in the 60s, the 54,099 fans were considerably more comfortable than their counterparts were at the January 1 Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, Mich., where snow fell throughout the day.

Stadium Series 2014

Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated

Despite temperatures in the 60s, the ice was in pretty good shape for the game in which netminder Jonas Hiller stopped 36 shots as his Ducks shut out the Kings, 3-0.

Winter Classic 2014

Leon Hallip/Getty Images

The edition between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings on New Year's Day at 109,901-seat Michigan Stadium was the biggest yet.

Winter Classic 2014

Claus Anderson/Getty Images

As part of the Michigan edition of the Winter Classic, Detroit's Comerica Park was set up to host a week-long series of Winter Fest events, including college, OHL and AHL games.

Winter Classic 2014

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

A record crowd of 105,491 battled massive traffic jams to sit in 13-degree weather with a zero degree wind chill.

Winter Classic 2014

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Red Wings, playing in their second Winter Classic, emerged from their dressing room to a winter wonderland of constantly falling snow.

Winter Classic 2014

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Wind and heavy snow made skating and stickhandling difficult. Goals came at a premium, but it was an entertaining match won by the Maple Leafs, 3-2, in a shootout.

Heritage Classic

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Now let's take a look back at the other spectacles the NHL has staged ...

Heritage Classic 2003

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton hosted the NHL's first-ever outdoor game, with 57,167 hardy souls braving -20 degree temperatures on November 22. The event was intended to be a one-off.

Heritage Classic 2003

David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated

Where's Taylor? Current Oilers forward Taylor Hall was 12 years old when he attended the game with his dad. They traveled to the event from their home in Calgary.

Heritage Classic 2003

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Wayne Gretzky and Guy Carbonneau were among the Oilers and Canadiens greats who skated in an alumni game. The Great One's squad won, 2-0. Gretzky called the experience "memorable" and Habs Hall of Famer Guy LaFleur told the CBC, "It felt like we were 10 again, but with the legs of 50-year-olds."

Heritage Classic 2003

David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated

Just chillin' in the stands: As if it wasn't cold enough, the wind chill made it feel like it was -28.

Heritage Classic 2003

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

In the main game, the Canadiens prevailed over the Oilers, 4-3. Habs forward Richard Zednik (not pictured, that's Patrice Brisebois taking a tumble courtesy of Ryan Smyth) was credited with scoring the NHL's first open-air goal—39 seconds into the second period. It was the first of his two tallies on the night.

Heritage Classic 2003

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Canadiens goalie Jose Theodore, who made 34 saves in the game, sported a toque in an attempt to stay warm.

Heritage Classic 2003

Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

The evening concluded with a fireworks display, and while the event went over quite well locally, it would be five years before the NHL would venture outdoors again.

Winter Classic 2008

David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated

On New Year's Day, the NHL unveiled the first of its annual Winter Classics, billed as a return to the game's roots on frozen ponds. The matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and hometown Sabres attracted a league-record crowd of 71,217 to Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Winter Classic 2008

Bill Wippert/Getty Images

It was perfect 33-degree weather for hockey as far as Buffalo's passionate fans were concerned.

Winter Classic 2008

Icon SMI

Snow flurries added a nice atmospheric touch, as did the teams' throwback uniforms.

Winter Classic 2008

David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated

At times, the ice in the specially-constructed rink had to be repaired, which made for some lengthy delays. "The only tough part was snow buildup on the ice," said Sabres winger Jason Pominville. "At times there was a lot of snow, and it made it hard for guys to stickhandle and shoot."

Winter Classic 2008

David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated

As he so often does, Sidney Crosby seized the big, nationally-televised stage and scored the game-winning goal by beating netminder Ryan Miller in a shootout. Final score: 2-1.

Winter Classic 2009

Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI

The second edition of the Winter Classic was held in the cozier confines of a baseball stadium: Wrigley Field. The conversion to hockey required 20,000 gallons of water cooled by a huge refrigeration truck that was parked out on Sheffield Ave.

Winter Classic 2009

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The game between the Detroit Red Wings and the host Blackhawks drew a crowd of 40,818 on a slighly windy, 32-degree day. Fans also jammed the apartment rooftops across the street. Tickets went for as much as $400 apiece.

Winter Classic 2009

The Blackhawks got Wrigley rocking by taking an early 3-1 lead, but couldn't hold it as the Red Wings roared back with five unanswered goals en route to a 6-4 win.

Winter Classic 2009

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The teams wore throwback uniforms and the atmosphere was festive on a Chicago winter's afternoon.

Winter Classic 2009

Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/MCI via Getty Images

"It was amazing—the whole crowd, the whole atmosphere, it was really unreal," Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane said after the game. "It's like it wasn't really happening. But it was really fun to be a part of."

Winter Classic 2010

Damian Strohmeyer/Sports Illustrated

The game's retro feel continued with the next edition played at Fenway Park. A sellout crowd of 38,112 enjoyed almost balmy 40-degree weather as the Bruins did battle with the visiting Flyers. The snow and rain that were forecast never materialized.

Winter Classic 2010

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Some fans were able to get close to the players.

Winter Classic 2010

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Flyers goalie Brian Boucher spent the game on the bench watching starter Michael Leighton stretch a shutout streak to 154 minutes 7 seconds before he was beaten by Boston's Mark Recchi with 2:18 to go in the third period. The goal tied the game at 1-1.

Winter Classic 2010

Michael Tureski/Icon SMI

Bruins coach Claude Julien rocked the Toe Blake look by donning a fedora.

Winter Classic 2010

David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated

The crowd went home happy when Marco Sturm scored at 1:57 of overtime to give the Bruins a 2-1 win.

Winter Classic 2010

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Fenway's ancient scoreboard told the story.

Winter Classic 2011

Fred Vuich/Sports Illustrated

Fears about warm, inclement weather came to pass at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh as rain postponed the start of the Capitals-Penguins game from 1 p.m. ET to 8 p.m.

Winter Classic 2011

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

The game offered a marquee matchup of rivals: Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, who didn't mind the delay in getting started. "I don't see anything wrong with playing under the lights here," he said. "I think that'd be pretty nice. We should all be enjoying ourselves no matter what the scenario."

Winter Classic 2011

David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated

The game was a wet, sloppy affair with rain frequently creating puddles on the ice.

Winter Classic 2011

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

The home crowd didn't have much to cheer about as the Capitals won, 3-1.

Winter Classic 2011

Fred Vuich/Sports Illustrated

Despite the elements, the game drew a crowd of 68,111 and a national TV audience of 4.5 million.

Heritage Classic 2011

Dylan Lynch/Getty Images

Canada welcomed its second Heritage Classic on February 20, a showdown between the Flames and Canadiens in McMahon Stadium.

Heritage Classic 2011

Gerry Thomas/Getty Images

The Flames entered to a heroes' welcome from the crowd of 41,022. The event also featured an alumni game between members of Calgary's 1989 Stanley Cup championship team and some Montreal notables, as well as AHL and WHL games.

Heritage Classic 2011

Gerry Thomas/Getty Images

Like its predecessor in 2003, this affair was a freezer, with temperatures hovering around -6F. "The stands were full," Flames captain Jarome Iginla said after the game. "I expected some people to go home. I can't imagine how cold they were."

Heritage Classic 2011

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was sharp, making 21 saves while posting a 4-0 shutout.

Heritage Classic 2011

Gerry Thomas/Getty Images

Ice conditions proved troublesome at times. The rink had to be flooded with a hose due to fears that the weight of the Zamboni would cause the brittle ice to crack and crumble.

Winter Classic 2012

Fred Vuich/Sports Illustrated

Citizens Bank Park hosted the fifth edition, drawing a boisterous crowd of 46,967 for an Atlantic Division rivalry match between the Flyers and New York Rangers.

Winter Classic 2012

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

As happened in Pittsburgh, warm weather delayed the start of the game, this time from 1 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Game time temperatures were a comfortable 41 with occasional snow flurries.

Winter Classic 2012

Brian Babineau/Getty Images

Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky got the start over Ilya Bryzgalov, who became a star for his musings on the universe on HBO's "24/7 Road to the Winter Classic" series.

Winter Classic 2012

David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated

Though Rangers coach John Tortorella famously complained about the officiating, he couldn't argue with the outcome: a 3-2 New York victory,

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