NHL Game in Dodger Stadium

[masterfins]

So I'm reading the newspaper today and I see the Kings are playing the Ducks this Saturday, outside, in Dodger Stadium.  Expected temperature to be in the mid 70's.  Am I missing something???

[Phishfan]

Dumbest idea ever.

[Sunstroke]

So I'm reading the newspaper today and I see the Kings are playing the Ducks this Saturday, outside, in Dodger Stadium.  Expected temperature to be in the mid 70's.  Am I missing something???

One step closer to the inevitable...Professional Beach Hockey.

[Dave Gray]

Cowherd was mentioning that they're playing a hockey game outside in Southern California and a Super Bowl in a blizzard.

[EDGECRUSHER]

The Rangers/Devils game today had atrocious ice conditions. It clearly affected the game due to some sun glare melting the ice. So, I have no idea what the Kings will be doing tonight about their melting ice.

[MaineDolFan]

The place was sold out, the overnight TV rating were pretty good and the ice held up really well.

Why was this a bad idea?

[CF DolFan]

The place was sold out, the overnight TV rating were pretty good and the ice held up really well.

Why was this a bad idea?

Change is bad!!

[Phishfan]

The place was sold out, the overnight TV rating were pretty good and the ice held up really well.

Why was this a bad idea?

I did not watch the game. Did the ice really hold up that well? I was not expecting it to. Players complain about the ice in warm weather locations while it is still indoors. If they were able to keep a good surface then I was wrong.

[Dave Gray]

It seems that seeing that game in person would be horrendous.  Aren't the seats incredibly far away?  How would you even follow the puck?   

[MaineDolFan]

My buddy was there, flew in from Maine.  He also went to the game at the big house.  He is an "event" guy, the type of guy who likes to say "I was there."  He said you couldn't follow it very well at either venue. 

I've attended hockey games at Fenway (NHL and college).  It isn't AWFUL there, but it's not bad.  It's the event of it, more than the game. 

55,000 for an NHL game shows there is interest in these occasional stadium games.  Right?  Anything to grow the sport.

Here is a good recap of the game.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/ducks-dominate-dodger-stadium-shut-kings-nhl-outdoor-060150255--nhl.html

[Dave Gray]

I think that the concept of outdoor hockey in big places is cool.  But it just doesn't appear that there are places where you can good seating to accommodate.

[MaineDolFan]

To be honest, I think the seating at Dodger Stadium sucks for baseball. 

This isn't something (I hope) they will do on a regular basis for each team.  Each season will have a "stadium series" which spotlights a handful of cities / teams.  Those handful of games will do really well.  There IS something really cool (no pun intended) about watching hockey outside.  Very Mystery, Alaska.

[Phishfan]

I'm curious as to why they are not setting up some temporary seating. I watched the Rangers/Isles game and I just cannot imagine how poor the view really is.

After thinking about it, they are selling way too many tickets to use temporary seating alont and their use would liely block the view of the permanent seats.

[EDGECRUSHER]

I think these games are awesome and one of the few things the NHL does right. That being said, the conditions are almost always crap, but crap for both teams, so it's fair.

Try outdoor games in the NBA and watch everyone's knees turn into Derek Rose.

[Spider-Dan]

NBA players have complained loudly about wind when the NBA has played outdoor preseason games.

From their perspective, wind turns basketball into random heaves at the basket with a prayer that it might go in.  Given the kind of accuracy (uncontested) NBA players are used to, I can't blame them.