2018 WJC in Buffalo likely to feature a CAN vs USA outdoor game.

[sureLoss]

http://www.tsn.ca/buffalo-awarded-20...niors-1.403558

When USA Hockey officially names Buffalo host of the 2018 World Junior Championship on Friday, an outdoor game pitting Canada against the United States at Ralph Wilson Stadium will also be announced, according to sources.

Organizers expect a sold-out crowd of more than 71,000 fans for a late December, 2017, clash between the best Under-20 players from both sides of the border, making for the largest single game crowd ever to watch a junior hockey game.

Attendance from that one game alone will be nearly half of the total tournament gate from both 2014 in Sweden (144,268) or 2013 in Russia (110,175).

The announcement will be made Friday at the 18-yard line of Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Bills. The NFL’s Bills and NHL’s Sabres are both owned by Terry Pegula. Ralph Wilson Stadium was site of the NHL’s first Winter Classic in 2008.

USA Hockey will announce the outdoor game’s components as “likely” the United States against Canada, only because the tournament’s pool and schedule has not yet been officially determined.

[CroFlames]

Is it around robin game or a medal round game?

Seems silly to do this, but of course the dollar is the grand dictator of the day.

[neo45]

Great. Besides playoff hockey the New Years eve game is usually the most exciting hockey of the year. Throwback jerseys would be cool also

[Locke]

Ugh...while cool in concept it seems remarkably gimmicky for a tournament game.

Way to throw the rest of the countries into the 'we dont care about you' category.

"Thanks for coming to make up the numbers!"

[Badgers Nose]

I like it, good luck getting seats though.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Is it around robin game or a medal round game?

Seems silly to do this, but of course the dollar is the grand dictator of the day.

It would have to be a round robin game. If it was a medal round game, then they could not have a firm date or guarantee a match up, unless they want to admit to rigging the medal round.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

It would have to be a round robin game. If it was a medal round game, then they could not have a firm date or guarantee a match up, unless they want to admit to rigging the medal round.

May as well just get that out of the way.

[OutOfTheCube]

Awesome -- sounds like a good reason to make the pilgrimage. Been a few years.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Locke

Ugh...while cool in concept it seems remarkably gimmicky for a tournament game.

Way to throw the rest of the countries into the 'we dont care about you' category.

"Thanks for coming to make up the numbers!"

The rest of the countries don't care about the WJC anyways.

This is strictly a Canadian thing (thanks to TSN's brilliant marketing for it). Maybe this will at least grow some interest in the US for the tournament.

[FBI]

Nice avatar OOTC

[IntenseFan]

Decent idea. I foresee many Ontarians interested in making the trip.

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by Locke

Ugh...while cool in concept it seems remarkably gimmicky for a tournament game.

Way to throw the rest of the countries into the 'we dont care about you' category.

"Thanks for coming to make up the numbers!"

Well, I personally have no problem with it. In many tournaments, such as tennis, more popular teams/players are playing on bigger venues/courts and less popular are playing on lesser ones. If USA-Canada match-up can draw in 70,000+ spectators, let them play outdoor, I see no reason to object it.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Legit question: what if they're not in the same pool?

You can't have a massive outdoor game without the host team in it, you'd think. And you can't sell out the game without Canada.

Also, does this mean Buffalo will also get the Winter Classic?

An argument for is that they'll already have everything set up and it's the same time of year. An argument against is that it could potentially compete with fan dollars and also overshadow the World Juniors event which would be at about the midway point.

[Resolute 14]

The IIHF will rig it so Canada and the USA are in the same pool under this plan, even if they shouldn't be according to the world rankings at that time. The IIHF was infamous for being all about the money long before FIFA was.

[loob job]

Happy to watch this game from my living room where I can actually see the puck. Even though I live 45 min. from Buffalo.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The IIHF will rig it so Canada and the USA are in the same pool under this plan, even if they shouldn't be according to the world rankings at that time. The IIHF was infamous for being all about the money long before FIFA was.

Exactly this and I heard the equivalent on the radio earlier today. The IIHF reserves the right to make one change (i.e. swap teams) assigned to Pool A and Pool B.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by loob job

Happy to watch this game from my living room where I can actually see the puck. Even though I live 45 min. from Buffalo.

Halifax is only 45 min. from Buffalo?

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Exactly this and I heard the equivalent on the radio earlier today. The IIHF reserves the right to make one change (i.e. swap teams) assigned to Pool A and Pool B.

That makes sense then. WJC pools aren't even based on world rankings, they're based on the team's finish the year before.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The IIHF will rig it so Canada and the USA are in the same pool under this plan, even if they shouldn't be according to the world rankings at that time. The IIHF was infamous for being all about the money long before FIFA was.

Heaven forbid the potential of a profit being made from an international hockey tournament exist, right?

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751

Halifax is only 45 min. from Buffalo?

Its like Airdrie being 10 minutes from downtown Calgary