Ah, the NHL Winter Classic. I can still smell the cold, windy air of Chicago, and it’s glorious. How successful was the event, for NHL betting players and hockey fans alike? Well, let’s just say it was…as much a success as The Adventures of Pluto Nash was a failure. And that’s saying a lot.

Anyone who likes to bet on hockey likely made a wager on the game. Hopefully you made the right choice and bet on the savvy wings. NHL lines don’t come harder to predict than that game was, but the home team always struggles outside for some reason. With the Winter Classic such a hit, online sports betting fans are already wondering which city will host the event next. Let’s take a look at the top five candidates. NHL betting fans can rule out Canadian cities for now – this event is about generating more interest south of the border, and hockey is doing just fine up north.

Those who bet on hockey should also note that baseball stadiums and college football stadiums, not NFL stadiums, appear to be better venues for outdoor action.

5. Detroit

Motown has plenty going for it as a candidate –cold weather, a beautiful outdoor stadium in Comerica Park, and a damn good team. If it wanted to really take hockey betting to the next level, it could host the game at the Big House; 100,000-plus screaming fans would be pandemonium. Detroit could be a hit…though you’d have to bet online that at least one fan gets shot.

4. Pittsburgh

If you haven’t been to Pittsburgh, you probably picture smoke stacks and laid-off steel workers. While you wouldn’t be wrong there, Pittsburgh also has a fantastic sports-oriented waterfront, featuring Heinz Field, Mellon Arena and PNC Park – arguably the most beautiful ballpark on Earth. Steeler fans in particular prove that Steeltown loves its outdoor sports, so Pittsburgh has to be a candidate. Though NHL betting fans should note that teams who’ve already played outdoor games, Detroit included, probably have less of a shot.

3. Philadelphia

Should sportsbook odds favor the City of Brotherly Love as the leader in the clubhouse for the 2010 Classic? Philly citizens certainly seem to want it more than anyone, offering Penn State as a potential venue. It’s an interesting NHL betting proposition. What’s scarier than sports’ meanest fans? Sports’ meanest fans with snowballs.

2. Boston

Hockey at Fenway? Few things would be cooler for those who bet on sports. Maybe they could even build a giant toboggan ramp from the top of the Green Monster to the field. The potential for death and carnage would make for a great intermission show. The only thing holding Bostonians back from being the top candidates: the world is sick of them. Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, and now the Bruins…can one  of their teams be crappy for once? OK, so the Pats missed the playoffs, but they were 11-5 without Tom Brady. Come on.  I wouldn’t bet on Boston being the next host just yet.

1. New York

Hard for online sports betting players to argue against the Big Apple, isn’t it? You know New York wants to show off the new Yankee Stadium as much as possible. The Rangers are still a consistently good draw, and they’re still good enough to deserve a game on a big stage. Since the Bruins look like they’ll be dominant for the next five years or more, I think New York deserves a chance now. They’re not getting any younger, so NHL betting fans may want to see the Rangers outdoors before they start tanking in a couple of years.

Honorable mentions:
Colorado – Mile-High would be cool, but Colorado kinda sucks right now.
Washington – Maybe not as a host, but we have to get Ovechkin into one of those games.
Minnesota – The city screams outdoor game, but the Vikings and Twins play indoors. For shame.
Las Vegas – Sounds insane, but Caesar’s Palace, the online betting Mecca, actually hosted an NHL exhibition game in 1991.
San Jose – The fans deserve it. What else is there to do in San Jose?

Keep dreaming:
Phoenix – Sorry. No bankrupt teams allowed.
Atlanta – A crowd of 8,000 just wouldn’t have the buzz of Wrigley.
Nashville – Come back when you know what “icing” means, Music City.
Tampa Bay – If Saw XVII makes enough money in 2020…new stadium?