Commissioner Gary Bettman announced on Friday that the Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Washington Capitals on New Year’s Day 2011 at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, home of the Steelers. The commissioner also stated that Washington will host a game in the next two or three seasons.
Official: NHL To Host Two Outdoor Games In 2010-11
The news is likely to anger fans of many NHL teams who believe that its unfair that Pittsburgh and now Washington will now be playing in a second Winter Classic while most teams in the league have yet to play in one. Bettman shrugged off that criticism, saying that the league passes the game around just fine.
Meanwhile, on February 20, the Calgary Flames will host the Montreal Canadiens in another Heritage Classic. The first Heritage Classic was played in 2003 between the Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers.
Bettman told the media that he doesn’t know if a second game in Canada will become a yearly thing, but he said the NHL is not concerned about diluting the outdoor event.
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