The NHL formally announced that two games will be held at Edgewood Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe next month, according to Jim Krajewski of the RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL. Avalanche-Golden Knights will be played Feb. 20, with Flyers-Bruins set for Feb. 21. The rink for the NHL "Outdoors at Lake Tahoe" event will be "on the lakefront 18th fairway" at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort. Edgewood is the annual site of the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament, which "helped the NHL officials choose Lake Tahoe for hockey." NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also "reiterated that Lake Tahoe's scenery was a big factor in playing there." No fans will be "allowed at Edgewood in February," but NHL execs "admitted it will be difficult to keep people in boats away from the course." Construction on the ice rink and support areas "will begin the first week in February," and the ice is "expected to be in place on Feb. 18" (RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL, 1/12).
SHARKS ON OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Bettman said that "if spectators were allowed, the Sharks would have been considered" to take part. In San Jose, Curtis Pashelka notes the Sharks are the "closest team geographically to Lake Tahoe." Bettman also said that the Sharks "approached the league about possibly playing a game at the picturesque site for local television after the weekend’s nationally televised festivities were over." But he added, “That’s not something that we’re in a position to focus on right now. We’re more focused on getting this season up and running" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 1/12).
