Hypothetical: California Classic OR Petition: Sharks Outdoor Game

by Advocate on Feb 8, 2012 6:38 PM PST

Of all things I try to be an advocate, and an optimistic one at that. However, at the risk of sounding pessimistic I'm going to venture that the Sharks are not going to be given a Winter Classic anytime soon. Or ever. On the brighter side I don't think that the NHL's lack of interest or faith in a California outdoor game, or in the Sharks participating in one elsewhere, means that the Sharks won't or can't have an outdoor game anyway.

The hypothetical is this: Can the Sharks partner with another team, perhaps the Ducks or Kings, and put on an outdoor/classic game of their own?

The petition is this: The Sharks or a Socal team should host a California Classic (Yes/No?)

(Poll to follow)

I vote that the Sharks should host a game at AT&T against either the Ducks or Kings. I think the building could definitely be filled and they could broadcast the game on NBC Sports, similar to how the Heritage Classic between Calgary and Montreal was shown on what was then Versus.

The main reason why I bring it up though is because I hope that if enough fans in Northern and Southern California start talking about it or asking for it, it might actually happen. Though I admit that it's possible that this fan post on Fear The Fin won't cause a California Classic to occur it might still be worth trying.

Plus everyone enjoys participating on internet polls, right?

Poll

Should the Sharks and another California team host a California Classic on their own?

Yes, Sharks v. Ducks/Kings at AT&T

50 votes

Yes, Sharks v. Ducks/Kings at Rose Bowl

6 votes

Yes, Sharks v. Ducks/Kings at somewhere else in CA

14 votes

Ducks v. Kings instead, at Rose Bowl

3 votes

No, no California Classic for some reason...

23 votes

96 votes | Poll has closed

This item was created by a member of this blog's community and is not necessarily endorsed by Fear The Fin.

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Comments

On the beach, now that would be cool

Really though it has no shot. As much as we can all go trip around on outdoor rinks in California, those aren’t NHL standards. Trying to make and maintain fast ice in 60 degree weather just ain’t happening. Besides the whole thing is really a homage to how kids traditionally got into the game, but no one learned outdoors on an artificially frozen rink. About the only thing I have ever heard that could work is pay homage to the 1960 team and play in Squaw Valley with the mountain setting.

by Fakers Stink on Feb 9, 2012 9:14 PM PST reply actions

THIS

is what I’ve been saying for quite a while now. Sharks-Kings. Lake Tahoe. Do it.

oh what a pass by STEPHENSON! AND THEN ITS PAUL GEORGE!

by 15ks on Feb 19, 2012 12:35 AM PST up reply actions

Do you remember how bad the ice got at the 2011 winter classic? That ice condition came from a little rain, of which was still very cold because of lower temperatures where it was held. Now in California, where the weather is consistently 50+? There is zero chance in hell that the ice would not have a puddle of water on top of it for a Cali outside game.

Any snow resort town near Cali cannot support a 35+k attendance event like the Winter Classic due to no arenas, nor would it probably draw that many people for a first event in the first place because those locations couldnt house that many travelers.

Only chance Sharks have at an outdoor event is if they win the Cup, then MAYBE they’ll get recognition enough to be slotted for one against a northern rival, say the Canucks, or against an eastern team (maybe a cup final rematch slot).

by VVhirlwind on Feb 9, 2012 11:41 PM PST reply actions

the could get into a winter classic

But I couldn’t happen in California. We’d probably play it against Detroit or Chicago in an away game. Id love to see the sharks in a winter classic just to see what jerseys they’d wear.

by Levi Matthews on Feb 11, 2012 7:32 AM PST reply actions

And the verdict is...

nobody cares.

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by Evilducks on Feb 13, 2012 12:56 AM PST reply actions

Screw AT&T park. If we’re going to do it in the Bay Area, it should be at California Memorial Stadium.

by meetyourmako on Feb 13, 2012 2:26 AM PST reply actions

I would love to see the Sharks in the Winter Classic

and think they will as long as the tradition continues.

I think they were the runner-up to play Detroit next year. The NHL WANTS a California team in the Winter Classic in the next few years.

HOWEVER, there never will be, nor should there be, a Winter Classic game HOSTED in California. There needs to at least be the potential for snow. They certainly couldn’t play in the rain, which would be likely in SF.

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by PNK on Feb 13, 2012 9:28 AM PST reply actions

detroit v toronto

yawn. another boring winter classic.

by logancouturesteeth on Feb 14, 2012 2:40 PM PST reply actions

It's starting to get boring

I think the Winter Classic was great when Pittsburgh and Buffalo played the first one, especially since it went to a SO. After that, they’ve been kinda dull. The only other one that seemed okay was Chicago v. Detroit, and that was because we finally got some Western Conference teams involved.

Keep making only eastern teams and they’ll definitely begin to loose popularity out in Cali.

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by Ravi Gupta on Feb 14, 2012 3:37 PM PST reply actions

The blizzard helped

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by Soloact on Feb 14, 2012 4:31 PM PST up reply actions