Rain or shine, puck will drop at Heritage Classic

Retractable roof at BC Place means ‘outdoor’ game safe from elements

VANCOUVER The roof was open at BC Place on Thursday afternoon, displaying a brilliant blue sky and allowing a crisp breeze to circulate throughout what was a downright chilly stadium.

The NHL is hoping for the same kind of day on March 2 for its Heritage Classic.

“Just like today would be perfect,” said Vancouver Canuck defenceman Kevin Bieksa. “I know it’s a little cold ... but we hope for a clear sunny day and this would be perfect weather, I think.”

Bieksa was joined by teammates Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler at an NHL news conference inside the open dome to promote the “outdoor” game between the Canucks and Ottawa Senators.

Rain is the biggest fear, of course. Everyone, including the players, wants the roof open for the event.

“It’s an outdoor game, so let’s experience it fully,” said Bieksa. “If they can play a CFL Grey Cup game in Saskatchewan in the middle of winter I think they can play March 2 in Vancouver.”

“I am going to hope it’s open,” added Kesler. “Obviously it’s a bit cold in here, but with the sun shining it’s going to be nice.”

Tickets to the Heritage Classic went on sale to the public Thursday and appear to be going fast. The two cheapest ticket categories, priced at $62.20 and $104.20 including taxes, were no longer available on the Ticketmaster website late Thursday afternoon and the most expensive seats, at $324, were also gone.

Even though the ice was not on the field for Thursday’s news conference, the players said they could get a sense of how it will feel on March 2.

“I know the game is still a couple of months away, but you kind of look at the way it is decorated and everything and you picture the rink right in the middle and right away you know it’s going to be exciting with 50,000 people in the stands,” Bieksa said. “I think it’s going to be really loud in here, everyone is going to have a good time and I look forward to playing in it.”

“Just stepping in here even before the ice rink is put in it’s pretty cool to see,” said Kesler. “It is going to be a special moment in my life that I will never forget.”

The Heritage Classic is one of six outdoor games the NHL has scheduled this season. Others go Jan. 1 when the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings play at the University of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor; Jan. 25 when the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks meet at Dodger Stadium; Jan 26 and Jan. 29 when the New York Rangers meet the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils at Yankee Stadium; and March 1 when the Pittsburgh Penguins meet the Chicago Blackhawks at Soldier Field in Chicago.

John Collins, the NHL’s chief operating officer, said the league is simply trying to meet the demand in various markets for outdoor games.

“I don’t know if it was a no-brainer, but the demand was there.”