Kings, Sharks outdoor game at 49ers’ new stadium now official

After Ticketmaster spoiled the event over the weekend, the NHL made it official on Wednesday: The Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks will face off in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 21, 2015 at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT). The new home of the San Francisco 49ers will host the second outdoor NHL game in California’s history.

The game was made possible when the Kings’ game against the Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium was a blockbuster success, both in terms of quality of the ice and the atmosphere for the 54,099 fans.

Levi’s Stadium seats 68,500 for football.

Here’s what the movers and shakers are saying about this game, via the NHL:

"The growing excitement around NHL hockey in California hockey, the intensity of last season's playoff series between these teams and the state-of-the-art setting at Levi's Stadium will bring a thrilling new dimension to the Kings-Sharks rivalry," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We thank the Sharks, the Kings, Coors Light, the San Francisco 49ers, Levi's Stadium and everyone involved in producing the next episode of our Coors Light NHL Stadium Series."

"We are honored and elated that the NHL has selected the San Jose Sharks to participate in the NHL's 2015 Coors Light Stadium Series and is bringing this magnificent event to the Bay Area," said John Tortora, the San Jose Sharks chief operating officer.  "This event celebrates the growth of the great game of hockey in San Jose and recognizes the incredible support and passion of Sharks fans all over Northern California.  We know our fans will bring the electrifying atmosphere of SAP Center at San Jose to Levi's Stadium on Feb. 21 and we are looking forward to showcasing Sharks Territory outside and under the lights."

"The Los Angeles Kings are honored to once again be selected to represent the National Hockey League at the 2015 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series," Kings President of Business Operations Luc Robitaille said. "This event is a tremendous example of how our game continues to grow and evolve in the state of California and it will bring a great deal of exposure to sports fans throughout the region. The event at Dodger Stadium in front of 54,099 fans this past January was a historic moment for the Kings and for our fans, and our players and the entire Kings organization are looking forward to another fun and exciting game this time against our Northern California and Pacific Division rivals, the San Jose Sharks."

Here's a video teaser for the event:

The Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks are playing in the Jan. 1 Winter Classic in D.C. at a venue yet to be determined.

The Sharks have been rumored to have an outdoor game this season for months, and the hope for many was that it would be in the friendly confines of AT&T Park. It’s picturesque, overlooking the San Francisco Bay, where someone would have tried to fire a puck from the ice. But the NHL has been more about capacity than aesthetics in many of their Winter Classic and Stadium Series games; or, perhaps they felt two baseball stadiums for two California games was redundant.

Beginning at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 7th, a limited number of tickets to the game will be available exclusively to San Jose Sharks season-ticket holders, Los Angeles Kings season-ticket holders and Levi's Stadium SBL members.

Congrats to Sharks fans for their first outdoor game, and to the Kings on their second. Better luck next year Wild, Avalanche, Blues, Stars, Panthers, Lightning, Predators, Blue Jackets, Coyotes, Hurricanes and Jets …