Konecny ready for first NHL outdoor game in Stadium Series with Flyers

PHILADELPHIA --Travis Konecny is more excited than most of his teammates to play in the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at Lincoln Financial Field between his Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 23 (8 p.m. ET; NBC, SN360, SN1, TVAS2).

Two years ago, when the Penguins defeated the Flyers 4-2 in the 2017 Stadium Series game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, the forward missed the game because of a lower-body injury.
"I had to watch on TV," Konecny said. "I didn't even get to go to Pittsburgh. I didn't even get the feeling of what it's all about. I'm really looking forward to (this year's game)."
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Konecny, with defenseman Travis Sanheim and forward James van Riemsdyk, got a preview of what the Stadium Series rink will look like when they toured Lincoln Financial Field on Friday.
The 53-foot mobile refrigeration truck arrived Monday, and with the dasher boards installed, the first water spray to start building the ice surface was scheduled for after sundown Friday.
"This is the first step of realizing what's coming up, get that excitement going," Sanheim said.
Konecny said playing in front of a sold-out stadium, which seats 69,176 for football, is what he missed two years ago.

"I think we're all used to playing in front of big crowds but it's going to be different with no roof and playing under the lights," he said. "It'll be a different atmosphere for us."
Konecny is also looking forward to having friends and family in town for the game.
"My mom's probably the most excited," he said. "She's never been part of it. She definitely loves watching (the outdoor games) on TV. I know she loves being in a big atmosphere like this and she'll be chanting, doing all the cheers."
If Konecny has any questions about what to expect, he can ask van Riemsdyk, who will be taking part in his sixth NHL outdoor game. He played for the Flyers in the Winter Classic in 2010 and 2012, and for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2014 Winter Classic, the Centennial Classic in 2017 and the Stadium Series in 2018.
"I still really enjoy it," van Riemsdyk said. "Getting to play in all these different venues is cool. It's a good thing as far as growing the game. Even if someone's not a hockey fan, going to an event like this can get them exposed to the sport for the first time and maybe creates more fans for the game."

One of those fans could be Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata. The football player was a tour guide Friday.
Mailata grew up in Australia and didn't have much of a connection to hockey.
"The only ice hockey I watched was 'The Mighty Ducks,'" he said.
He attended a Flyers game earlier this season at Wells Fargo Center and enjoyed it, and said he plans on being at the Stadium Series.
Will Mailata (6-foot-8, 346 pounds) make an appearance on the ice?
"If you can find me size-18 skates, I'll be out there," Mailata said.
Mailata will enjoy the game for the spectacle as well as what will be at stake. The Flyers, who play the Detroit Red Wings at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, SNE, SNO, SNP, NBCSP, FS-D, NHL.TV) are 10-1-1 in their past 12 games and are eight points behind the Penguins for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Flyers will have a chance to close the gap with four games before the Stadium Series.
"With the way the season's going here and us making a push, it's going to be a big game for us, a four-point game for us," Sanheim said. "We have to take advantage of it. I'm sure when the puck drops it's going to be a competitive game, two points up for grabs. It's going to be a great game."