Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan was opened in July of 2017 with their primary tenant being the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. While normally the focus is on the pigskin perhaps this open-air stadium may soon be playing host to an NHL hockey game. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet wrote about the topic in his 31 Thoughts column on Wednesday saying:
“Reported this last year, hoping I’ll be correct this year, but Regina remains very much on the map for an NHL outdoor game. I’d assume Edmonton versus either Calgary or Winnipeg, but you know what happens when you assume. The league has visited Mosaic Stadium at least once this fall.”
The Regina Pats had scheduled two games to be played there as part of their celebration of their centennial season last year, one being an WHL-NHL Alumni contest on February 17th and a regular season game the next day between the Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors. According to Greg Harder of the Regina Leader Post the games were moved indoors due to slow ticket sales and weather concerns.
Of course if you put an NHL game between a team from Alberta and one from Manitoba I suspect ticket sales and weather wouldn’t be an issue. The Flames and Jets, who we saw battle it out last night, have each played one outdoor contest so perhaps we might see it happen.
Previous outdoor games in Canada involving NHL teams:
2003 Heritage Classic between the Oilers and Canadians at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
2011 Heritage Classic between the Flames and Canadians at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
2014 Heritage Classic between the Canucks and Senators at BC Place in Vancouver.
2014 Winter Classic between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
2016 Heritage Classic between the Jets and Oilers at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg.
2017 Centennial Classic between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings at BMO Field in Toronto.
2017 NHL 100 Classic between the Senators and Canadians TD Place Stadium in Ottawa.
2018 Stadium Series between the Maple Leafs and Capitals at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
Would you make the trip to Regina for a weekend of outdoor hockey? Which opponent would you like the Jets to face if they were selected as a team to take part in an outdoor game in Saskatchewan?
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