2023 Heritage Classic

The 2023 NHL Heritage Classic (branded as the 2023 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic for sponsorship reasons) was an outdoor regular season National Hockey League (NHL) game. The seventh game in the Heritage Classic series took place on October 29, 2023, at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, with the Edmonton Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames. It was the first outdoor game in the Battle of Alberta rivalry.[1][2]

2023 NHL Heritage Classic
123Total
Calgary Flames1102
Edmonton Oilers3025
DateOctober 29, 2023
VenueCommonwealth Stadium
CityEdmonton, Alberta
Attendance55,411
← 2022

Background

During the "32 Thoughts" segment on the December 10, 2022, broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman initially reported that the NHL was planning a Heritage Classic game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames during the 2023–24 season, marking the 20th anniversary of the first Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and the Oilers at Commonwealth Stadium. While the 2003 game was held in November, Friedman stated that the league was aiming for October so the weather would be a little warmer;[2] the 2003 contest had been held in temperatures of close to −18 °C (0 °F), with a wind chill of −30 °C (−22 °F).[3] The league officially announced the game on December 31, 2022.[4]

The 2023 Heritage Classic marked the first outdoor game in the Battle of Alberta rivalry and the third one for each team.[4]

A moment of silence for former Pittsburgh Penguins player Adam Johnson was held prior to the game.[5]

Panorama from the first period

Game summary

Scoring summary
PeriodTeamGoalAssist(s)TimeScore
1stEDMBrett Kulak (1)Evander Kane (3), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (5)04:191–0 EDM
EDMZach Hyman (3)Leon Draisaitl (8)09:382–0 EDM
CGYNazem Kadri (1) (PP)MacKenzie Weegar (1), Jonathan Huberdeau (3)14:552–1 EDM
EDMEvan Bouchard (3)Leon Draisaitl (9), Connor McDavid (7)16:063–1 EDM
2ndCGYA.J. Greer (1) (PP)MacKenzie Weegar (2), Jacob Markstrom (1)11:283–2 EDM
3rdEDMVincent Desharnais (1)Evander Kane (4), Zach Hyman (6)06:164–2 EDM
EDMEvander Kane (2) (EN)Derek Ryan (1)19:135–2 EDM
Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season
Penalty summary
PeriodTeamPlayerPenaltyTimePIM
1stEDMEvander KaneBoarding06:462:00
EDMLeon DraisaitlBroken stick07:252:00
EDMRyan Nugent-HopkinsHolding12:562:00
EDMDarnell NurseRoughing13:302:00
CGYBlake ColemanInterference17:552:00
2ndEDMVincent DesharnaisInterference09:282:00
3rdCGYDennis GilbertHolding07:052:00
EDMEvander KaneTripping12:352:00
Power play opportunities
TeamGoals/Opportunities
Calgary2/6
Edmonton0/2

Three star selections
TeamPlayerStatistics
1stEDMZach Hyman1 goal, 1 assist
2ndEDMLeon Draisaitl2 assists, 2 penalty minutes
3rdCGYMacKenzie Weegar2 assists

Team rosters

^1 Jack Campbell dressed for the Edmonton Oilers as the back-up goalie and did not enter the game.
^2 Dan Vladar dressed for the Calgary Flames as the back-up goalie and did not enter the game.

Scratches

Entertainment

Country singer and Alberta native Brett Kissel sang the Canadian national anthem, which marked his second time performing the anthem at the Heritage Classic, after doing so in 2016 alongside Doc Walker. Canadian indie rock band The Rural Alberta Advantage performed during team introductions (and also served as the house band at the game as well).[6]

Following the anthem, the ceremonial face-off consisted of alumni players who played in the 2003 game at Commonwealth. For the Canadiens: Jose Theodore, Steve Begin, and Stephane Quintal and for the Oilers: Charlie Huddy, Ales Hemsky, and Jarret Stoll.

Rock group and Alberta natives Nickelback performed during the second intermission. The setlist included their version of "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" by Elton John and their chart topping songs "How You Remind Me" and "Rockstar".[7]

Broadcasting

In Canada, the 2023 Heritage Classic was broadcast on Sportsnet. In the United States, the game was broadcast on TBS in lieu of TNT, due to the latter airing the second game of a women's international soccer friendly series between the United States and Colombia. The game marked TBS' first NHL regular season broadcast. The game was streamed on Sportsnet+ in Canada and on Max in the United States.[8][9]

References