PLYMOUTH - The Ontario Hockey League will get a second attempt to play outdoors at Comerica Park in Detroit on December 29.
And much like the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera fouling off a pitch and then hitting the next offering over the left field wall, the OHL hopes a year’s wait to play outdoors before an a sellout crowd will be a home run in many areas.
The OHL will be featured on Sunday, December 29 at Comerica Park with the Plymouth Whalers playing London at 5 pm and Saginaw and Windsor hooking up earlier at 1 pm in the Hockeytown Winter Classic that was postponed last season because of the National Hockey League lockout.
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Tickets for the OHL twin-bill run $38 each and includes admission to both games. Tickets are available in Plymouth by calling the Compuware Arena box office during business hours at (734) 453-8400. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Tickets to the OHL outdoor games are part of a full Plymouth Whalers season ticket package. Fans who purchase a partial Plymouth season ticket plan – or tickets for individual games – can purchase tickets for the outdoor games separately by calling (734) 453-8400.
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The Plymouth-London game at the Hockeytown Classic is one of highlights of the Whalers 68-game schedule.
Plymouth Whalers President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci is looking forward to seeing his team and the OHL put their best skates forward at Comerica Park.
“I can tell you this – that my players are very, very excited,” Vellucci said. “They were really bummed when we couldn’t play this past season. I answered more questions about the Outdoor Game than our power play and penalty kill – the players wanted to talk about the Outdoor Game.
“So they’re very excited and I’m very excited. It’s going to be a great opportunity to showcase our players’ talent throughout Southwestern Ontario and all of the Detroit-area. I believe that when the fans see the talent we have, with all of our first-round NHL picks, and all the great players that Saginaw, Windsor and London have, they’ll be impressed.”
“I’m expecting a great game from London and I’m expecting a great game between Saginaw and Windsor – both teams are going to be very, very good this year. We’re inviting everyone from Plymouth, Saginaw, the Detroit-area and all of Michigan to come out and enjoy the Ontario Hockey League.”
WHALERS SCHEDULE: Saturday continues to be Hockey Night in Plymouth in 2013-14, with 19 Plymouth homes game set for Saturday at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena. The Whalers will play nine home games on Friday and two on Wednesday – all at 7:05 pm. Plymouth plays three 2 pm matinees in 2013-14 – Thurs. Jan. 2 against Sault Ste. Marie; Mon. Jan. 20 against Saginaw and Sun. Mar. 9 against Saginaw.
The Whalers have a history of starting the season on the road against the OHL champion and are doing it again this season. Plymouth opens the 2013-14 season on Fri. Sept. 20 in London against the OHL champion Knights at Budweiser Gardens.
The game on Sept. 20 marks the sixth time since 2003 that Plymouth has opened up on the road against the current OHL champion. The Whalers played in Kitchener in 2003 and 2008; in Windsor in 2009 and 2010; in Owen Sound in 2011; and now London this season.
