On a day that brings out the joy just after Christmas in the National hockey League, it features the best that the game has to offer while growing the game and ringing in the new year. This time around, the Winter Classic will see the Dallas Stars play host to the Predators.
However, whereas the Dallas Stars play at American Airlines Travel Center, the team will host do something different on Wednesday when the NHL takes over Cotton Bowl Stadium. Before getting into the matchup, let’s take a look at the long lasting history of this season’s venue.
Originally, Cotton Bowl Stadium was built for the sole use of college football, playing host to the Cotton Bowl Classic which happens yearly in the NCAA. The stadium first opened its doors back in October of 1930 when a Dallas-based high school used it, this happening prior to the Mustangs arrival. The Mustangs would play their first game in 1932, calling Cotton Bowl home.
While the stadium in the downtown core was built at a cost of $328,000, it has certainly served its purpose, seating a capacity of 45,507 spectators. What’s interesting about the facility is the fact that it lies at the State Fair of Texas, an annual state fair with a controversial history held in Dallas at historic Fair Park. The fair has taken place every year since 1886 except for varying periods during World War I and World War II. As such, it makes this venue the perfect spot for an outdoor hockey game.
Going into the game on Wednesday, the Stars are 22-14-4 while the Nashville Predators enter the game while owning a record of 18-14-6. Part of what makes this game special is the meaning it has for both parties as the Stars and Predators will be sporting their jerseys while paying tribute to their city’s hockey history. As well, they will take to the ice while battling before roughly 80,000 fans, an attendance expected to rank as the second-largest for an NHL game.
This includes 20,000 fans who made the travel from Nashville to be there. On Tuesday, both sides hit the ice for a one hour practice at the Cotton Bowl Stadium and after it ended, the teams met with the media to discuss the excitement, the crowd and much more. As such, Filip Forsberg said when asked about the love and support the team gets, “We have the best fans in the league. They show up every game, the fans have been supporting us since day one and we are really looking forward to having them there.”
The other side of this event is the fact that it takes place on New Year’s Day which allows all players to have piles of family in attendance to watch them play the game that they love. When speaking after practice with Jamie Hersch of NHL Network, Tyler Seguin said of the event, “It’s awesome, starts with today just with the practice and you know, family being here and coming on the ice and friends, being able to see it and obviously tomorrow’s gonna be a lot of fun, but today was pretty cool.”
While the NHL has been in operation for 102 years, it is the first time that Dallas and Nashville will take to the ice in an outdoor game. As such, it features a flurry of NHL All-Stars who are set to take part as the Stars have Benn joined alongside Seguin as well as Radulov and backstop Ben Bishop. As for the visiting Predators, they are led by Roman Josi and veteran backstop Pekka Rinne.
This winter classic is unlike any other outdoor game as the conditions weather wise will be pleasant with the game being hosted in a warm weather climate. It will be different with no snow coming down and the skies bright blue with the sun beaming strong. As such, this has come with its fallout given the ice conditions and standard of care, but after a rainfall overnight on Monday, it’s expected to remain nice and dry for the matinee contest.
When speaking after practice on Monday about first impressions of the ice sheet at Cotton Bowl, Esa Lindel said to The Puck Authority, “Good, I felt good. couldn’t complain.” With this outdoor game being a first for both the Predators and Dallas Stars on Wednesday, it does feature a small group of veteran players who have done it before. The list includes Corey Perry and Roman Polak, Joe Pavelski and Andrej Sekera. Perry is joined by Andrew Cogliano, former members of the Anaheim Ducks who played in Los Angeles in 2014 and beat Drew Doughty and the Kings 3-0.
Overall, the Stars feature six players who have participated in an outdoor game, meanwhile, the Predators enter on Wednesday with eight players themselves plus head coach Peter Laviolette. For many years, both teams have been viewed by the league and fans as “untraditional hockey markets”, but with an event of this magnitude coming up, it will sell the big picture idea that these are teams that are thriving against all odds.
It’s a first for both clubs respectively with national attention putting all eyes on Dallas, but a challenge they can handle the pressure of as the teams face off to break open the new year. With festivities and anthems before it, the game is set for 1:00pmET with the game available to be seen on Sportsnet and NBC in the United States. It can also be streamed online using the NBC Sports app and NBCSports.com, meanwhile, Canadians can find it on the Sportsnet app using Sportsnet Now.