2009 NHL Winter Classic

[jimotis4heisman]

looks like the blackhawks will get it.

i expect them to play the wings.

[shoegirl]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

looks like the blackhawks will get it.

i expect them to play the wings.

Fantastic. Should be a good game, even if it is at Wrigley Field (I'd like to see a little more of a neutral site).

[ScriptOhio]

CHICAGO (AP) -- Wrigley Field is going to be the frozen confines on New Year's Day 2009 when the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings meet the Chicago Blackhawks outdoors in the home park of the Chicago Cubs.
It will be the NHL's second Winter Classic. Jan. 1 in Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 before a crowd of 71,217. Snow fell during the game.
"We expect interest to be on an international level for this once-in-a-lifetime event," Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said.
The game will be televised nationally on NBC.
The matchup will be the 701st meeting between the Red Wings and Blackhawks -- no two NHL opponents have played more regular-season games against one another than the two fierce rivals.
It will mark the third regular-season outdoor game in NHL history. The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 22, 2003.
"The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

Entire article: Blackhawks to face Red Wings in Wrigley Field - NHL - SI.com

[Messi18Man]

let's hope the Wings can play better this year against the youthful Blackhawks. I couldn't believe how the Blackhawks virtually owned us the entire season even though they were such a young team and we were the best team in the NHL throughout the regular season (except the stretch where lidstrom was injured).

[ScriptOhio]

Both teams got a feel for the ice Wednesday and were hoping it would be in better shape by Thursday's faceoff.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO (AP) -- Chris Chelios raced up and down the ice and when he had a chance to peek up and check out his surroundings Wednesday, he had trouble believing his eyes.
"To look out and see the rooftops and bleachers while being on an ice surface was the craziest thing in the world, especially at Wrigley Field," said Chelios, the Detroit defenseman and Chicago native.
Chelios estimated that, as a baseball fan, he'd seen more than 200 games at Wrigley over the years. He even lugged the Stanley Cup to the ballpark this past August to show it around and share it with fans in his hometown.
And now, he'll be part of the second NHL regular-season outdoor game in the United States when his current and former teams meet Thursday in the Winter Classic.
Chelios spent nine seasons with the Blackhawks and is now in his 10th with the Red Wings. At age 46, his ice time has been limited this season -- partly because of injury -- but he'll be active Thursday.
"Who would have thought this was going to happen? Growing up in Chicago makes it even that more special," he said
Both teams got a feel for the ice Wednesday and were hoping it would be in better shape by Thursday's noon (CST) faceoff.

Entire article: NHL*gears up for Winter Classic at Wrigley Field - NHL - SI.com


A view from the outfield bleacher seats. Not the best location to view the action on the ice, but we don't think the fans will mind.

ESPN - ESPN.com NHL Blog

[Jake]

I wish they would do this on a different day instead of running it against 29 bowl games today. Last year's PIT-BUF game was awesome.

[BuckeyeMac]

So far a pretty good game. Pretty rough as well. 1-0 Blackhawks.

Do you think, if this were to happen in Columbus in the future, that they would play in the shoe? How sweet would that be?

[BuckeyeMike80]

NBC's total man-crush on Chicago is rivaling their collective man-crush on Cindy Crysby.....

[3074326]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMike80

NBC's total man-crush on Chicago is rivaling their collective man-crush on Cindy Crysby.....

Can't really blame them for hating the Red Wings. They are from Michigan, after all.

[souL]

What a fun event to attend, even if my team got manhandled. One of the experiences of a lifetime. Of course the media has a crush on the Hawks, don't you see how many Hawks are leading All-Star voting? They love whoever the most people love.

[Bucky Katt]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMac

Do you think, if this were to happen in Columbus in the future, that they would play in the shoe? How sweet would that be?

My boss and I were discussing that the day after the game. Detroit against Columbus in the Shoe would be simply awesome.

[jimotis4heisman]

true but a few issues.

1-the blue jackets are a middle of the road playoff team maybe this year, thats the best team theyve ever had
2-lack of star power, no winged wheel, no legendary bhawks history, no sid, ovie, etc to tune in average or less fans
3-weather, look outside. fear of rain.
4-the nhl hates columbus

the better solution is in the asg pitch. columbus had the best draft turnout of any pro sport ever, ever. more fans than any draft in pro sports history, and tons of teams that you usually dont see at drafts in the nhl why? location-the close proximity to det, pitt, chicago, philly, buff, toronto and even a few nyc fans. the arena people wanted to see it, sounds dumb but its a nice rink. i think they could do the asg the first weekend in feb (or whatever date the pre super bowl bye is), use the shoe. they could pack in 100k im telling you for that, columbus fans would be less than 50% but who cares. fans will flock from all over the midwest and the candian extension of the american manufacturing belt to do that. hold everything else downtown at nationwide except for the game sunday afternoon.

this is an issue i have thought, failure to embrace what is there. columbus has many pitt, flyers, sabres fans. and we dont ever see those teams. that statement is odd to many fans from many cities since they have been embedded in their conference for so long.

list of discussable sites
yankee stadium
fenway
beaver stadium in the pa statewide match up flyers-pens
toss in a game at minnesotas new stadium.

i had more to say but i actually got asked something on a conference call and lost my train of thought...

[OHSportsFan9]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

i had more to say but i actually got asked something on a conference call and lost my train of thought...

dang work- getting in the way!

good thoughts jo

[BigWoof31]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

list of discussable sites
yankee stadium
fenway
beaver stadium in the pa statewide match up flyers-pens
toss in a game at minnesotas new stadium.

I like those ideas - I have a couple of other ones too!

1. Another all canada game - Montreal vs. Leafs outdoors
2. A game at an old NHL town. Quebec? Hartford?
3. Devils/Rangers at the Meadowlands. Battle of NY/NJ!

[Bucky Katt]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

true but a few issues.

1-the blue jackets are a middle of the road playoff team maybe this year, thats the best team theyve ever had
2-lack of star power, no winged wheel, no legendary bhawks history, no sid, ovie, etc to tune in average or less fans
3-weather, look outside. fear of rain.
4-the nhl hates columbus

the better solution is in the asg pitch. columbus had the best draft turnout of any pro sport ever, ever. more fans than any draft in pro sports history, and tons of teams that you usually dont see at drafts in the nhl why? location-the close proximity to det, pitt, chicago, philly, buff, toronto and even a few nyc fans. the arena people wanted to see it, sounds dumb but its a nice rink. i think they could do the asg the first weekend in feb (or whatever date the pre super bowl bye is), use the shoe. they could pack in 100k im telling you for that, columbus fans would be less than 50% but who cares. fans will flock from all over the midwest and the candian extension of the american manufacturing belt to do that. hold everything else downtown at nationwide except for the game sunday afternoon.

this is an issue i have thought, failure to embrace what is there. columbus has many pitt, flyers, sabres fans. and we dont ever see those teams. that statement is odd to many fans from many cities since they have been embedded in their conference for so long.

list of discussable sites
yankee stadium
fenway
beaver stadium in the pa statewide match up flyers-pens
toss in a game at minnesotas new stadium.

i had more to say but i actually got asked something on a conference call and lost my train of thought...

Oh, I recognize that it is very impractical and even more improbable...but I'd still love to see it.