The 2011 National Hockey League Heritage Classic in Canada on 20th February in Calgary
The National Hockey League’s Heritage Classic is coming closer and closer, as Canadians are sure to be pumped up about the spectacular event of their favorite sport. The NHL Heritage Classic 2011 will be hosted by the city of Calgary, Alberta.
Calgary Flames, who for some time have been pursuing the NHL to allow them to host such an outdoor event, remained unsuccessful until now.
It will be the first time that Calgary Flames will be participating in an outdoor game and the second opportunity for Montreal Canadiens, who will be going head to head against each other, in this exciting occasion.
The Heritage Classic is scheduled for the 20th of February and will be the second outdoor sporting event in the NHL 2010-2011 season, subsequent to the NHL Winter Classic 2010 which was hosted by Boston.
Calgary has made some special arrangements!
The city of Calgary has waited for a long time for something like this to happen, more than 8 years to be exact, as the last event was held in brother city, Edmonton, in which Edmonton Oilers and Montreal participated.
As the Saddledome in downtown Calgary which is used for regular games as an indoor stadium, McMahon Stadium in the University of Calgary, home to the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League will be used.
Since the start of the tradition in Edmonton, the Classics have been up North only twice, while the United States has hosted the event four times.
"We plan to make the Heritage Classic just as big as or bigger than anything prior", said Don Renzulli, the NHL's Vice President of extracurricular events.
A temporary ice rink floor has been brought in place over the existing football field and over 5,000 seats have been added to facilitate the expected crowd of over 41,000 fans.
In addition, the event will be hosted by Tim Hortans, a leading coffee chain in Canada named after the legendary hockey player Tim Horton, making the event even more memorable.
As the weather in Calgary is always changing, organizers will have to be prepared for the worst, with temperatures ranging to -38c and 18c.
"The extended forecast has us at -6 C, with possibly some light flurries come game day", said a positive Don Renzulli. "The days leading up look pretty good, so we shouldn't have any issue getting prepared".
This isn’t going to be just a one day event, all these preparations can’t be in vain according to the Flames fans, and it certainly won’t be.
A day before the event, the spectator plaza beside the McMahon arena will be a place where people of all ages will come to enjoy musical events, parties, interactive hockey attractions, stalls, food, and prizes will be given.
The two participating teams will also practice for the first time together in front of the people. Flames and Canadiens alumni from past winning teams will meet each other and spectators.
The event will continue from the 19th till noon the next day signaling the start of the game.
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