It's been long-rumored that the Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins would be facing off in an outdoor game, and in an announcement on Wednesday, it finally became official.
The Flyers and Penguins will take the ice at Heinz Field on Feb. 18, as part of the Coors Light NHL Stadium Series. This will be the third outdoor game in franchise history (and first since 2012's Winter Classic), and second outdoor game at the venue that normally plays host to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Let's take this outside.
The 2017 Coors Light @NHL Stadium Series in Pittsburgh is on → https://t.co/FSZW02Allg pic.twitter.com/8gNwuzu7NH
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 10, 2016
The game will also be part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for both clubs, and gives them a unique opportunity to reprise their storied rivalry in an outdoor setting. It will be the fourth outdoor game played in the 2016-17 campaign, joining the Edmonton-Winnipeg Heritage Classic on Oct. 23, the Detroit-Toronto Centennial Classic on New Year's Day and the Chicago-St. Louis Winter Classic on Jan. 2.
Last month, the Flyers announced big plans for their 50th anniversary, which feature a new logo, a new jersey and a Flyers-Penguins alumni game (which may coincide with the weekend, though that game will take place at Wells Fargo Center).
For several years now, it had been speculated that the Flyers and Penguins would meet on the neutral ice of Penn State's Beaver Stadium. While Penn State had interest in hosting the game, plans never came to fruition. Evidently, the outdoor game will be taking place in Pittsburgh next season, and it's possible that both teams will meet outdoors again in 2017-18 in a Philadelphia stadium.
The Flyers' dominance on Pittsburgh ice since 2010 has been well-documented. They get the chance now to extend that dominance in an outdoor game, and Flyers fans get the opportunity to take over the Steel City for what promises to be a fun weekend.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
