It seems like such a natural fit, yet it is a massive undertaking. The sightlines aren't great, and you cannot feel your toes by the end of the game. And yet everyone wants in on the phenomenon that has become outdoor hockey.

Ever since Michigan State University came up with the kooky idea of building a rink in the middle of Spartan Stadium back in 2001 and staging a game there, both football and baseball venues all over North America followed suit. As was the case in East Lansing (where 74,544 fans crammed into the place) it has been like that everywhere. Fans have flocked to outdoor hockey games and are only asking for more.

Two years after the "Cold War" (as it was called between Michigan State and their arch rivals from Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan Wolverines), the NHL jumped on board by staging their first game in a football stadium. The Heritage Classic between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens drew more than 55,000 to Commonwealth Stadium, and the struggling league had truly stumbled upon something.

Four years after the Heritage Classic in Edmonton, the NHL began staging once-per year matchups between American teams on New Year's Day in outdoor stadiums to help stimulate fans in this country about the game. In just five years, the Winter Classic has been the singular highlight of the NHL's schedule, with cities and teams vying to be the next host.

Already, historical baseball venues like Wrigley Field and Fenway Park have played host. Next year, Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor is said to be the favorite to hold the game between the Detroit Red Wings and an opponent to be determined.

Two years ago, the minor league AHL, of which the Milwaukee Admirals are a member, began their own outdoor series. The first game drew just over 21,000 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. That attendance figure may not seem like a lot, but it set a new league record at the time.

Earlier this month, piggybacking off the rink that the NHL's Flyers and Rangers used at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park, the Adirondack Phantoms and Hershey Bears more than doubled the record set two years ago when 45,653 came to watch them play.

"We would love to be a part of an outdoor game," Admirals owner Harris Turer says. But the question of what venue and how to maximize the economic benefits are the questions that have to be answered in terms of Milwaukee hosting a game. After all, it costs roughly $1 million just to install a temporary rink suitable for the rigors of competitive hockey.

Further complicating matters, as for the Brewers playing host, let's just say that it's not something that is on their radar screen.

"Since Miller Park is not winterized, it would be difficult for us to host a hockey game," Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger says. "The water to the concession stands and restrooms is shut off during the winter."

"We have explored the idea of Miller Park," Turer says. "The Brewers have to shut off the water in most of the park and must leave it off all winter. There may be a way to do it, but I assume it would be very expensive to coordinate all the logistics."

In February 2006, Lambeau Field hosted the "Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic" featuring the University of Wisconsin and Ohio State University hockey teams. More than 40,000 fans flocked to the hallowed football stadium to watch the Badgers beat the Buckeyes, 4-2. At the time, the crowd was the fourth-largest to ever attend a hockey game.

In all, the Lambeau rink was open for three days, and included a community skate and a picture taking opportunity with the Stanley Cup. According to the Packers, more than $3 million was pumped into the local economy.

Four years later, Camp Randall Stadium was the host venue. Although the upper deck was closed, still more than 55,000 fans froze through a Wisconsin – Michigan doubleheader in 20 degree weather. The women played in the late afternoon first, and then under the lights, the men's teams took to the ice. At the time, Badgers coach Mike Eaves stated that it was his intention to schedule an outdoor game once every four years; that way all of his players, regardless of class, could experience "pond hockey" at least once in their careers.

Even leading up to the first game at Camp Randall, Eaves waxed nostalgic about getting back to the roots of the game. "There is no other feeling like [hearing] the sound the puck makes when it leaves your stick or the sound that your skate makes when it cuts on outdoor ice," Eaves told a student newspaper.

Considering that the last time Wisconsin hosted an outdoor hockey event the date and opponent was planned out about one year ahead of time, there is still one year left to go before a venue has to be finalized as well if the university plans on honoring Eaves desired timetable.

So if the Admirals are interested in being part of an outdoor game; and the Wisconsin Badgers have already successfully pulled it off twice and want to do so again, it would seem to make logical sense to have them team up, right? Certainly that would have to be the case if a game were to be held without a NHL team footing the bill for the rink and other infrastructure items.

"I do not believe that our game alone would be enough," Turer admits. "We would probably have to try and make it Hockey Day in Wisconsin. We would consider a college game, high school games, even youth games."

Assuming Miller Park is out of the question, the Admirals may have to look elsewhere. "We have talked about looking at other venues, namely State Fair Park," Turer says. "But we don't know about the logistics and have never spoken to anyone there about the idea. We just assume that would be the only other place in Milwaukee that we could do it."

The grandstand at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse looks strikingly similar to the old grandstand in West Allis, so from a spectator standpoint, there might be a logical fit. But even if State Fair Park is out of the question, that doesn't necessarily mean the Admirals are going to give up their quest.

"I would play in Madison or Green Bay," Turer says. "But it would have to be part of the Badgers playing before or after us. I do not believe that Admirals could play in another city and draw enough fans unless the Badgers are involved."

Furthermore, considering that we have already seen one outdoor game at both of Wisconsin's major football stadiums, the question of the novelty wearing off again with a return trip to either Madison of Green Bay has to be considered.

Turer, whose son and daughter both play youth hockey, has been one of the greatest champions of the sport in the Milwaukee area. After saving the Admirals when he purchased the team in 2005, he established the "Admirals Cup" tournament for local high schools, culminating in the championship game on the Bradley Center ice.

"I hope that one day we can do this somewhere in the area," he says. "I think it would bring a great deal of attention to hockey and literally expose people to how great the game is."

But even with all of the obstacles that are in place, Turer and the Admirals, while interested, are also realistic. After all, the 45,000-plus that set the new AHL record already had the rink built and used their NHL team's top affiliate and another team not far from Philadelphia. Nevertheless, Turer says he willing to discuss the possibilities of bringing sport's latest fad to Milwaukee.

"It would be awesome, but there are a lot of issues to discuss."