U.S., Canada to play outdoors during 2018 World Juniors in Buffalo

By @MichaelCaples –

USA Hockey held a press conference today in Buffalo.

The news? There will be an outdoor game for two of the biggest rivals in all of hockey.

On Dec. 29, 2017, Team USA and Team Canada will square off outside at New Era Field in Buffalo – home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills – during the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.

“The U.S.-Canada rivalry is as good as it gets in sport,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, “and to have an outdoor game between the two countries as part of the World Juniors in hockey-rich Western New York will be spectacular.”

“The World Juniors is an amazing event itself and to add to it with an outdoor game is about as cool as it gets,” said Russ Brandon, president of both the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills. “It’s never been done before in the World Juniors and we’re excited to be making history.”

The stadium holds more than 71,000 people.

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USA Hockey announces Buffalo as 2018 World Juniors host city; outdoor hockey included