After months of hype the day has finally arrived for us to enjoy the NHL Winter Classic between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2003, 57,167 people attended the Heritage Classic in Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, and this year 73,000 will fill Ralph Winston Stadium in Buffalo. It has been debated whether this game should be played or not, and if so, should it count as a regular season game or should it even be played as an All-Star game. It seems a lot of fans and hockey experts like the idea of playing outdoors, similar to the old pond games, while some think it is just a waste of time and, because the outdoor games are played in giant football stadiums, they little or nothing in common with the traditional way of playing pond or river hockey. Either way, there is no doubt a majority of the fans seem to enjoy this game, I for one think it is pretty cool as it shows a lighter side of pro sports where the players get to enjoy something fun and different without it having to be a stupid All-Star game that means nothing (now there is a total waste of time).
It looks like Buffalo will wear their more classic jersey, the one with the Buffalo and the two crossed sabres-logo. I do wish they would come to their senses and wear that logo all season long instead of this new futuristic buffalo logo that is just marginally better than the Edmonton Oilers new black oil dripping-logo.
Ty Conklin will guard the net for the Pens, making him the only player to play in both of the outdoor classics. In 2003 he was in goal for the Oilers against the Montreal Canadiens.
Henrik Tallinder will be the only Swede on the ice, and he said he would definately try to savour this moment and have fun. I think a lot of players feel like that, though this is still a regular game between two teams in desperate need of points. Buffalo will try to snap a three-game losing streak, while the Penguins, who are in 7th place, have won three straight wins. Buffalo just two points behind in 10th place.
Some of the players were hoping for some snow, so am I. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
6 comments:
Yeah, a lotta people have been complaining about the quality of these games as they're slowed down somewhat due to poor ice conditions and, naturally, the elements. But the atmosphere must be great!
There's talk in other NHL cities to hold similar events at baseball venues next year. Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium have been mentioned.
I think Georges Laraque played in both winter classics as well.
BFox
I bet it's a lot of fun watching the outdoor games, however, if they are held too often it gets watered down. You cannot call a game a classic and then play it every year or even several times a year.
You are of course right about Laraque. My bad.
You're totally right about that!
If they end up planning two or more of these games next year then the whole frozen pond phenomena will become obsolete. Heck, even having one event like this on an annual basis seems like too much. I know a lot of Edmontonians got pissed off last season when Toronto was tinkering with the idea of staging one at the Rogers Centre. They were offended as the Winter Classic between the Oilers and Montreal a few years ago was "their" game and sui generis in that sense.
Having one at Beantown's Fenmway Park would be quite the sight but there is only one problem: No one in Boston gives a flying bleep about the Bruins anymore.
BFox
It's too bad no one cares about the Bruins anymore, since they are actually pretty good this season. A few decent trades and they will go from a solid playoff team to a nasty surprise to the other teams in the Eastern Conference.
I guess Boston's not big enough for three teams, with the Patriots pulling off a perfect season and all. God knows what the ol' Celtics are up to now. Bird still at it?
Yep, the Red Sox are the World Champs, the Patriots are riding a perfect record into the post-season and last I heard the Celtics were ripping it up too. Who needs the Bruins?
Sad but true. However, the Bruins will be lethal in 3 years from now with young skaters like Lucic, Kessel, Hamill, Marchand, and Bergeron in the fold. Add Rask in the crease and the makes of a team to be seriously reckoned with are intact. That is, if management doesn't find a way to screw it all up of course.
BFox
They will find a way, they always do.
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