No. 3: Lake Placid, Mirror Lake
Do you believe in miracles?
Led by Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks, these two original six teams would be perfect for an outdoor game in Lake Placid.
During the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, Team USA shocked the world by winning gold. In what we now famously call the “Miracle on Ice,” the NHL would be smart to market a game at the sight of one of hockey’s biggest moments.
The NHL could highlight some players who were part of that team, but more importantly highlight two of their biggest American-born stars. As previously mentioned, Auston Matthews has to be part of that game and Kane of the Blackhawks make sense as an opponent.
Both of those teams will draw serious television coverage and fans across North America will tune into watch. Lake Placid has plenty of space to hold an event like this and the NHL could boost this up to be one of the biggest sporting spectaculars of all-time.
Also, based on it’s location, it would not only be a spot where many fans could travel to, but it’s easy for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blackhawks to get to. Let’s hope that one of these games comes into existence because the Winter Classic bit is getting old and the NHL teams to create something fresh.