The Flyers will host the Penguins on Feb. 23, 2019, in what will be Lincoln Financial Field's "first ever hockey game," according to Jonathan Tannenwald of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. The same teams played at Heinz Field this past February, drawing a "sellout crowd of 67,318." It is "not known exactly how many seats will be available" for the game in '19. This will be the Flyers’ "fourth outdoor game, and the second they’ve hosted" (PHILLY.com, 11/19). In Pittsburgh, Matt Gajtka noted only the Blackhawks -- with five appearances -- have "played more regular-season outdoor games than the Penguins." There was "rampant speculation" that Penguins-Flyers could be held outdoors at Penn State, but this announcement puts that "well on the back burner for the next several years at least" (DKPITTSBURGHSPORTS.com, 11/19). The matchup was first reported as a "rumor" via Twitter by SB Nation's Steph Driver last week (TWITTER.com, 11/14).
KEEP 'EM COMING: THE ATHLETIC's Scott Powers notes the Blackhawks recently scheduled Winter Classic game against the Bruins at Notre Dame Stadium in '19 will be the team's "fourth Winter Classic and sixth outdoor game." Fans of other teams "might complain," but playing outdoors is "not getting old to the Blackhawks." The game in South Bend will mark the "second time the Winter Classic is held" at a college football stadium (THEATHLETIC.com, 11/19). In Boston, Joe McDonald wrote, "Some people believe there are too many outdoor games, but I believe there should be more" (BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.com, 11/19).
PRUDENT PLANNING: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Ian Thomas notes with the most recent NHL outdoor game announcements, the league "will have more than a year until they are played." By comparison, the two outdoor games scheduled for '18 -- the Winter Classic at Citi Field and the Stadium Series game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium -- were announced "seven to nine months before those games will be played."NHL Exec VP & Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer, who joined the league in December '15, is "entrusted with building the league’s events," and better long-term planning "has been a goal" for Mayer. This lead time "could allow the league to bring in bigger musical acts for the game, for a sponsor to have a larger activation or a team to plan more local events, as well as more promotion across NBC, which will also air both games." The NHL is "aiming to announce" the '19 All-Star Game site earlier as well (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/20 issue).
