With the Winter Classic set to go tomorrow at Norte Dame a story about the first outdoor NHL game. Big deal you say, well it would be except this took place in September of 1971 and in Las Vegas.

https://theathletic.com/741183/2018/12/3...las-vegas/

1991

Wayne Gretzky stood in the outdoor stadium at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas just past noon on Sept. 27, 1991.

To the west, stood colossal stands with thousands of empty seats that would soon be filled with hockey fans. To the east was the ivory tower of Caesars Palace, with the bright pink feathers of the Flamingo peaking over one corner and the gold trim of The Mirage over the other.

Directly in front of Gretzky was a hockey rink filled with more than two inches of standing water.

The first outdoor NHL game in league history was set to be played in less than seven hours, but the afternoon temperatures soared to 96 degrees Fahrenheit and the ice melted.

“I just remember how hot it was outside and we are all just standing there thinking, ‘how is this going to be possible?’” Gretzky told The Athletic.

Somehow Caesars Palace, with the help of Bob May of Ice Systems of America, was able to refreeze the ice in time for the game, which then...

(12-31-2018 12:58 PM)NYNightOwl Wrote:  1991

Thanks.