A brief history of Red Wings outdoor games

Red Wings face Maple Leafs outside this weekend in Toronto

Getty Images

The Detroit Red Wings will face the Toronto Maple Leafs in another outdoor game this weekend. 

This will be the Red Wings' 5th outdoor game ever, including an exhibition game way back in 1954 against the Marquette Prison Pirates at Marquette Branch Prison in ... Marquette, Mich. 

Recommended Videos



Here's a quick look back at the more recent outdoor games, in which the Red Wings have a 2-0-1 record: 

January 1, 2009 -- Winter Classic in Chicago

The Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks met for the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. Detroit was down 3-1 after the 1st period but fought back to beat the Blackhawks 6-4 in front of more than 40,000 fans. 

Red Wings 6, Blackhawks 4

The Red Wings wore a uniform which paid tribute to the franchise's early days when they were called the Detroit Cougars. The Blackhawks' sweaters resembled what they wore back in the 1930s. 


A general view of action between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings during the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on January 1, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)


Head coach Mike Babcock of the Detroit Red Wings coaches against the Chicago Blackhawks during the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on January 1, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

January 1, 2014 -- Winter Classic in Ann Arbor

The Red Wings and Maple Leafs met in front of a crowd of more than 105,000 fans at Michigan Stadium. The snowfall and enormous crowd created one of the most memorable atmospheres in the history of the game. 

Maple Leafs 3, Red Wings 2 (SO)

As for this game, the Red Wings fell to the Leafs in a shootout, 3-2. Detroit wore a uniform that combined past iterations of its iconic red and white outfit. The Leafs uniform resembled the team's Original Six-era outfit. Goalies on both teams wore brown-colored pads meant to imitate the leather pads of the past. 


Joakim Andersson of the Detroit Red Wings takes a shot on goaltender Jonathan Bernier  of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period during the Winter Classic on January 1, 2014 at Michigan Stadium. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)


Pavel Datsyuk takes the ice during the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium on January 1, 2014 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Toronto won the game 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

February 27, 2016 -- Stadium Series in Colorado

The Red Wings faced an old rival from the 1990s -- the Colorado Avalanche -- at Coors Field in Denver. 

Red Wings 5, Avalanche 3

This was another comeback victory outdoors for the Red Wings who scored 4 goals in the 3rd period en route to beating the Avalanche, 5-3, in Denver. There was no brawl in this game. In fact, there was no fighting at all.

Keeping in line with all of the NHL Stadium Series games, the Red Wings and Avalanche wore new "modern-looking" uniforms. Detroit's featured another "D" crest. 

It was a windy day in Denver. Cotton decorations which were supposed to look like snow started flying around the field (see image below). 


Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Colorado Avalanche in the 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series at Coors Field on February 27, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)


As the wind picks up in the third period, cotton decorations take flight during the game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings at Coors Field during the 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series game on February 27, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

This year's meeting in Toronto is called the "Centennial Classic" to mark the NHL's 100th anniversary. It will be live at 3 p.m. Sunday on NBC.

Sign up for ClickOnDetroit breaking news alerts and email newsletters

Search for a specific story:


Recommended Videos