There will not be six outdoor NHL games again in 2014-15, but the safe assumption is that there will be three or four. We already know that the Washington Capitals will host the Winter Classic in January -- although we don’t yet know the location or the Caps’ opponent -- and now it seems like the San Jose Sharks will be the host of a second outdoor game.
San Jose Sharks likely to host NHL outdoor game, according to report
According to a report, the Sharks could host an outdoor game at AT&T Park in San Francisco or Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
CSN Bay Area had the report on Monday evening, saying that much like the game in Washington, the opponent or the actual venue has yet to be determined. The first guess would be AT&T Park in San Francisco, home of MLB’s Giants, but other venues could include the brand-new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, future home of the NFL’s 49ers.
A natural opponent would be the Los Angeles Kings, certainly the Sharks biggest rival. Los Angeles also has the marketability and the luxury of being from the nation’s second-largest media market, a clear boost for the NHL in trying to promote the game. They’re also really good at hockey, which doesn’t hurt their chances.
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The fact that they played in the NHL Stadium Series in 2013-14 could hurt their chances, but the Sharks are the only California team that didn’t play in one of those games, and you have to assume the NHL would want to make a Bay Area game an all-California affair.
Fear The Fin has more on the potential game, including five suggestions for the NHL in planning the event. No KISS, guys. But plenty of teal please.
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