NHL Heritage Classic at BC Place: Canucks vs Senators

The NHL’s Heritage Classic series is heading to BC Place on March 2, 2014 as the Vancouver Canucks will face the Ottawa Senators in the first regular season game to be played in a retractable roof stadium. Earlier this year five other cities were rumoured to host Heritage Classics and the Vancouver date was confirmed today.

Whitecaps vs Sounders at BC Place. Photo credit: Thomas Bullock on Flickr

“With one of the world’s great facilities as the setting, and one of the world’s most scenic cities as the backdrop, the 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at BC Place in Vancouver will honour hockey’s Canadian heritage,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a release. “With the excitement, the entertainment, the competitiveness and the fun of this game, the Canucks and Senators will create special memories for hockey fans everywhere.”

“The NHL Heritage Classic allows our sport to further celebrate the history of the game while doing so in a unique venue,” Canucks president and GM Mike Gillis said. “We look forward to showcasing our city, province, team and fans this upcoming March.”

The 2014 edition of the Heritage Classic follows the 2003 game in Edmonton between the Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens, and the 2011 contest in Calgary between the Flames and Habs. [Source: CBC]

Photo credit: Clayton Perry Photoworks on Flickr

While I would hardly consider BC Place an “outdoor” venue (it would be like calling a car with a sunroof a dune buggy) its capacity of 59,841 will make it a very exciting game to attend. The most entertaining sporting events I have ever witnessed in person have been at BC Place so I hope that the enthusiasm that fans bring to Whitecaps and BC Lions matches will fill the stadium for this match-up on ice.

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With regards to the match-up against Ottawa, the Heritage Classic’s March 2, 2014 date will be just shy of the 99th anniversary of the Canucks defeating the Senators to win the Stanley Cup at Denman Arena in Vancouver.

Further details including information on ticketing for season-ticket holders for each team and national broadcast information will be released shortly.