Hawks to host Wings outdoors at Wrigley Field

CHICAGO, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - The defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings will square off against the Chicago Blackhawks in a rare outdoor game at famed Wrigley Field.

The game, to be played on January 1, will be hosted by the Blackhawks and feature two of the National Hockey League´s ´Original Six´ teams.

It will be the 701st meeting between the clubs, the most for any two league opponents.

"The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

Known for its ivy-laced walls and nicknamed the "Friendly Confines," Wrigley Field is the second-oldest major league ballpark in the United States - behind Boston´s Fenway Park - and has been the home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916.

It also was the former home of the NFL´s Chicago Bears and hosted the 1963 NFL championship game.

The 2009 Winter Classic will be the second NHL game played outdoors in the United States, following last season´s contest between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The initial Winter Classic took place at Edmonton, Canada´s Commonwealth Stadium in 2003. In that game, the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers battled in frigid temperatures.

Bettman did not rule out the possibility of the NHL playing an outdoor game at the Yankees´ new stadium, which opens next season.