NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe
Two fanless outdoor NHL games at a Lake Tahoe golf course.
In February 2021, the NHL staged two outdoor regular-season games at Lake Tahoe, replacing the Winter Classic and Stadium Series that were scrapped because of the pandemic. The rink sat on the 18th fairway of the Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline, Nevada, at an elevation of about 6,240 feet. No fans were allowed.
The first game, on February 20, matched the Vegas Golden Knights against the Colorado Avalanche. The second, on February 21, pitted the Philadelphia Flyers against the Boston Bruins. Both were originally scheduled before COVID hit. The planned 2021 Winter Classic—Minnesota Wild hosting St. Louis Blues at Target Field—was postponed in October 2020 due to uncertainty about fan attendance. The Stadium Series game, set for February 20 at Carter–Finley Stadium with the Carolina Hurricanes, was postponed in December for the same reason.
Looking for a fan-free alternative, the league focused on natural landscapes that could mimic pond hockey. Edgewood Tahoe—home to the American Century Championship golf tournament since 1990—beat out Lake Louise, Alberta, and Park City, Utah. The actual lake doesn’t freeze, so the golf course was chosen instead. Average highs on February 20 are 44°F, with lows around 18°F.
Without fans, location mattered less, and the games became TV showcases. The nearest NHL teams were Vegas and the San Jose Sharks, but the Sharks were left out due to Santa Clara County’s COVID restrictions on contact sports and their expected poor record. The Flyers and Bruins were offered both games but chose to play only one. The condensed 56-game schedule left few off-days, but travel was adjusted. On February 10, ESPN reported that the NHL had backup teams ready in case COVID protocols sidelined any of the scheduled clubs.
All four teams wore their “Reverse Retro” jerseys instead of special outdoor designs.
The Vegas–Colorado game started at 12:12 p.m. PT on February 20 but was paused after the first period because ice conditions worsened from heat and sunlight. It resumed at 9:02 p.m. PT and ended around 10:50 p.m. PT, with Colorado winning 3–2.
The Philadelphia–Boston game was originally set for noon PT on February 21, then moved to 11:00 a.m., then pushed to 4:30 p.m. due to the Saturday delay. It started at 4:59 p.m. PT and ended at 7:25 p.m. PT, with Boston winning 7–3.
The same officials worked both games: referees Wes McCauley and Kel
- Location
- Edgewood Tahoe Resort, Stateline, Nevada
- Elevation
- Approximately 6,240 feet (1,900 m) above sea level
- First game
- February 20, 2021: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Second game
- February 21, 2021: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins
- Attendance
- No fans
- Television (U.S.)
- NBC and NBCSN
- Television (Canada)
- Sportsnet and Sportsnet One
Lore & Background
The NHL originally scheduled outdoor games for the 2020–21 season prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Winter Classic and Stadium Series. The league announced on October 22, 2020, that the Winter Classic was postponed to the next season due to ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic, as fan participation is considered integral to its success. The Stadium Series game was further postponed on December 23, also because fans would likely not be able to attend. In seeking an alternative outdoor venue without fans, the league focused on natural landscapes capable of mimicking pond hockey. The Edgewood Tahoe Resort was chosen over Lake Louise, Alberta, and Park City, Utah. The golf course has hosted the American Century Championship annually since 1990. The actual Lake Tahoe does not freeze over and therefore is not suitable for ice hockey play.
Reader's Guide
NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe represents a unique adaptation by the league during the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing two major annual outdoor events with a made-for-television showcase. With no fans allowed, the geographic location of teams became less important. The Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche played the first game on February 20, which was suspended after the first period due to ice conditions caused by heat and sunlight; it resumed later that evening, ending with Colorado winning 3–2. The second game on February 21, between the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins, was moved to a later start time due to the Saturday delay, and Boston won 7–3. All four teams wore their Reverse Retro jerseys from that season’s league-wide promotion, unlike previous NHL outdoor games that used specialty jerseys. These were the last outdoor games broadcast on NBC.
Did You Know?
- The rink was built on the 18th fairway of the Edgewood Tahoe Resort golf course, which has hosted the American Century Championship annually since 1990.
- The first game on February 20 was suspended after the first period due to ice conditions caused by heat and sunlight, and resumed at 9:02 p.m. PT.
- The Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins were offered the opportunity to play in both games but decided to take part in only one contest.
- The same officials worked both games: referees Wes McCauley and Kelly Sutherland, and linesmen Matt MacPherson and Jonny Murray.
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