Top 5 Memories from LA Kings Outdoor Games

The LA Kings are heading east to Colorado Springs, CO for the
2020 NHL Stadium Series
! So, we're taking a trip back in time to share our favorite moments from the Kings' previous outdoor games.

5. Big Win in Northern California

February 21, 2015 | Santa Clara, CA

The only outdoor game of the 2014-15 season, hosted at Levi's Stadium, was a battle of Northern versus Southern California.
At that time, Todd McLellan was on the other side of the bench coaching the San Jose Sharks. Thanks to a goal late in the third period from Marian Gaborik, the Kings defeated the Sharks 2-1.
Aside from the win, one of the most special moments of the Stadium Series games was the family skate. For Dustin Brown, having his wife, Nicole, and kids out on the ice with him, is something he won't forget.
"It's really cool. From a hockey standpoint, having the stadium be so big, it makes the ice feel really small. But it'll be fun," Dustin Brown said.
Watch: Youtube Video

4. Raining Cats and Dogs

January 7, 2017 | Bakersfield, CA

The outdoor game that almost wasn't. The Ontario Reign faced off against the Bakersfield Condors at Memorial Stadium, but it rained so hard the ice started to pool. So much so, that when players tried to pass the puck, they'd spray a big puddle of water along with it.
The Reign were leading the Condors 2-1 late into third period, but the Condors came back to eventually win it in overtime.
Here's what the game was supposed to look like...

And here's what it actually looked like...

3. It's Time for D̶o̶d̶g̶e̶r̶ ̶B̶a̶s̶e̶b̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶ Kings Hockey!

January 25, 2014 | Los Angeles, CA

The Freeway Face-off took a twist in the first California outdoor game in history. What made it even more special was that Vin Scully and Bob Miller introduced both the Anaheim Ducks and LA Kings.
Instead of kicking around a soccer ball in the tunnel outside their locker room, the Kings took their usual pregame warm up to the Dodger Stadium grass for fans to see.
To cap it all off, Wayne Gretzky dropped the ceremonial first puck. It doesn't get much better than that.
Watch: Youtube Video

2. KISS Electrifies Dodger Stadium

January 25, 2014 | Los Angeles, CA

Now this isn't something you see everyday.
KISS welcomed fans to the 2014 Stadium Series by putting on an iconic performance on the field before puck drop. Oh, and did we mention they also became best friends with Gary Bettman?

1. First Outdoor Game in NHL History

September 27, 1991 | Las Vegas, Nevada

The first-ever NHL outdoor game was quite the scene at Caesar's Palace, where Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier took the ice long before hockey was a regular occurance in Vegas.
There was only one problem: it was 85 degrees out. Although the heat didn't end up affecting the ice quality, a few thousand suspect
grasshoppers became an issue
.
Nonetheless, the game was a success. "To be able to play in Las Vegas and to be able to show the NHL off to that market and do it in that dramatic sensational venue was really special to be part of," Kings Alumnus Tony Granato said.
Not to mention, we got to catch some of the action right from Kelly Hrudey's helmet cam. Take a look:

The Kings will face off against the Colorado Avalanche in special
aviation-themed jersey
at Falcon Stadium on Saturday at 5 pm.
Tune in to the game on NBC or head to the team's
official watch party at Proud Bird Food Bazaar
. Or, if you're heading to the game in Colorado, connect with other Kings fans at the
Friday night Fan Meet up hosted at Atomic Cowboy
.