Page 54 - LVGL Magazine Spring 2021

EXPERIENCE

Vegas Knights

Fans trying to get a lakeside view - Photo by Brian Kukulp, Nevada Sports Net

s a first thought, most sports and hockey got together, arguably the best rendition in “Outdoor
fans wouldn’t associate revolutionary hockey Series” history was created. Over two days in the Tahoe
moments—check that, revolutionary hockey paradise, two regular season games featuring four of
spectacles—with the state of Nevada. But for the top teams in the NHL were played. In game one, the
A those paying attention, the Silver State is now Colorado Avalanche defeated the Vegas Golden Knights
the two-time undisputed champion of such things, with the 3-2, while in game two, the Boston Bruins took down the
most recent National Hockey League extravaganza that Philadelphia Flyers 7-3.
unfolded February 20-21 on the shores of Lake Tahoe, North
America’s largest, and most beautiful, alpine lake. The offi- The Tahoe idea and setting were so good that an 8-hour
cial site for “NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe” was the 18th intermission was needed between periods one and two
hole of the famed Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, and a more during game one for players and television viewers to
stunning backdrop for hockey is difficult to imagine. lap up the views and vistas. Well, maybe the actual rea-
son for the delay was melted ice due to too much beautiful
The original NHL outdoor game that inspired the 2021 Tahoe sun, but the time between periods only added to the
Tahoe version took place in 1991, and a few hundred miles intrigue, and when the teams returned to the ice at 9 p.m.
away from Tahoe and in an outdoor arena at Caesars local time and under the lights, the spectacle had reached
Palace in Las Vegas. That fateful evening when the leg- new heights.
endary Wayne Gretzky skated with his Los Angeles Kings
in a pre-season tilt against the New York Rangers became “While it's hard to imagine the NHL passing up on the fan
the impetus to create pro hockey’s outdoor series, which revenue that comes from these outdoor games during a
now annually takes place in major stadiums in NHL home normal year, it'd be very cool if they did more ‘retreat’ type
markets. events like this one,” wrote Pete Blackburn at CBSSports.
com. “Several teams involved over the course of a week-
But because of the Covid-19 pandemic, new ideas were end...play games during the day and at night...make
needed, and when Tahoe South, NHL and NBC executives the experience campy. It would be awesome. All things

52 LAS VEGAS GOLF & LEISURE SPRING 2021 www.lasvegasgolfandleisure.com