NHL Winter Classic Logo
Jul 24, 2008 NHL
Badass
This is the logo for the next Winter Classic game to be held at the friendly confines January 1, 2009. I LOVE it, combining Wrigley Field with the Winter Classic script seen on last year’s logo. Only thing is, it’ll probably get some butt-ugly sponsor logo added to it once one signs up (AMP again?).
Tags: Hockey, NHL, outdoor game, winter classic
Remembering the Winter Classic
Jul 16, 2008 NHL
Before Chicago gets to have the fun this year, I wanted to go back and check out the highlights from the original Winter Classic. NHL.com has a page here with many of the links they had about it. I sincerely hope Conklin plays for Detroit in this years Classic, as he has played in both of the previous outdoor games. Anyhoo, here are the highlights if you’d like to relive it.
Still the best sweaters.
edit: Not sure how I selected the Sci/Tech category but now it is fixed.
Tags: buffalo, Hockey, ice bowl, NHL, outdoor game, penguins, pittsburgh, sabres, winter classic
Worst Kept Secret - Winter Classic at Wrigley
Jul 16, 2008 NHL
The worst-kept secret in the NHL is now officially out there - the next Winter Classic will be January 1st, 2009 in Chicago. Wrigley Field will host the Original Six Blackhawks and Red Wings. Bettman thanked New York and will keep the new Yankee Stadium in mind in the future. Great. Anyway, the article (which could use a better editor, to be honest) did have this to say about the original Classic:
While it will take a monumental effort for the Chicago game to match the drama and mystique of the Buffalo game, when Sidney Crosby’s shootout goal capped an unforgettable afternoon that included the largest crowd to ever see an NHL game and a gorgeous Western New York snow fall, Wrigley Field has a charm unto its own.
Pat Kane better make fun of Patrick Sharp:
“I remember going to Wrigley with a bunch of teammates in April and thinking how cold it was,” Sharp said. “I can’t imagine what it will be like will be Jan. 1.”
Brian Campbell had this to say, having participated last year:
“The city was all wrapped up in it,” Campbell said. “It was, ‘How do you get tickets?’ ‘What are you doing to get prepared?’ ‘What’s your tailgate going to be like?’ It was mayhem, a lot of fun, and something you take a lot of pride in.”
Besides, Campbell can burn a huge pile of money to keep warm this time.
Tags: blackhawks, campbell, chicago, crosby, detroit, Hockey, NHL, red wings, sharp, winter classic
NYC Wants The Next Ice Bowl
Jan 14, 2008 NHL
As reported in the Daily News, the Rangers want to play the next outdoor hockey game for the NHL…at Yankee Stadium. The old one, before it get’s torn down or swallowed back into the pit of hell from whence it came. ;) The Yankee management appears to be on board, and the Islanders want in as well. There are a few other tidbits in that article worth noting:
It also should be noted that the success of the most-recent outdoor game Jan. 1 in Buffalo has prompted seven other teams to contact the NHL to express their interest in hosting an outdoor game. The Bruins playing in Fenway Park has already gotten some buzz.
Seven teams…yeah, I’d call this a success.
If a Stadium game happens, the 2008-09 season will be an eventful one for the Rangers. Plans to have them open the season with two games against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Prague are all but finalized and will be announced at All-Star Weekend Jan. 26-27 in Atlanta. The NHL also expects to have the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins open with two games in Stockholm.
Some more Euro action here, which makes a bit more sense than London, with Sweden and the Czech Republic sending so many players over here. Maybe just a little bit of preempting that rumored European league that wants to compete with the NHL, too.
The bit on the second page about Drury and Briere’s NY/PHI jerseys being best sellers sucks.
Tags: czech republic, Hockey, ice bowl, islanders, lightning, new york, NHL, ottawa, outdoor game, penguins, pittsburgh, prague, rangers, senators, stockholm, sweden, tampa bay, winter classic
Teppo Shut Down For 2 More Months
Jan 10, 2008 NHL
My son will be crushed! Teppo Numminen is likely out for the season after finding out that his chest needs more time to heal. He went to the Cleveland Clinic for a checkup last week and the docs studied the results from there. Numminen had been working out with the team for a while, and there was even speculation at the Ice Bowl that he was only 10 days away from playing. Now, his timetable would be for a mid-March return, when the season ends April 5. Unless they Sabres make the playoffs, which is not a guarantee right now. This would’ve been the 19th NHL season for the Finnish defenseman. Personally, I hope we see Teppo again. He was always the steady one of the Kalinin/Numminen pairing, and he’s a good interview (WGR: Is Teppo a popular name in Finland? Teppo: It is now.). Get well, Teppo. My son asks about you every game!
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Hockey, ice bowl, injury, NHL, numminen, sabres, winter classic
They Said It - Peter King
Jan 7, 2008 NHL
I did, however, care about the New Year’s Day hockey game in Buffalo. Fantastic visuals, fun event, tremendous game capped by the best player in hockey scoring the winning goal in the last round of a shootout, with 71,000 riveted fans in the stadium. This was the best new sports-event idea I’ve seen in years, and I don’t say that because I draw a paycheck from NBC.
Would love Canadiens-Bruins at Fenway next year. Or Canadiens-Maple Leafs somewhere up north. Or the Flyers-Penguins at Heinz Field or the Linc. Or the Wings-Penguins at Comerica. Or — what about this one — the Stanley Cup champ against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, either in Pittsburgh or in the biggest outdoor stadium in Canada? Whatever, NBC’s got to keep this going.
Positive press from non-Hockey national media? Say it ain’t so! And after dogging the New Year’s Day bowl games, too. Make this happen again, NHL. I have to say I like the idea of Chicago/Detroit at Soldier Field or Habs/Bruins either place (or any Original Six type matchup, for that matter).
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Hockey, ice bowl, nbc, NHL, outdoor game, penguins, peter king, pittsburgh, sabres, winter classic
Winter Classic Ratings
The Sabres Ratings blog has a breakdown of the ratings numbers for the Ice Bowl, and they look pretty solid. Nationally, the game was a 2.6 rating and 5 share, better than any other NHL game in the past dozen or so years. Buffalo scored out at a 38.2/58, which is pretty insane when you think of how many people were watching in person and at the Arena. Sabres Ratings has a further breakdown of the top 10 markets.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Hockey, ice bowl, NHL, outdoor game, penguins, pittsburgh, ratings, sabres, tv, winter classic
Winter Classic Lovin’
Jan 2, 2008 NHL
Getting crushed at work today, so my own Ice Bowl thoughts will come later. I did want to point out some other local and national commentary, though, thanks to BfloBlog. Kevin’s own thoughts are here, including rare praise for News columnist Bucky Gleason. For reactions from around the blogodome, see this.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Hockey, ice bowl, NHL, outdoor game, penguins, pittsburgh, sabres, winter classic
Winter Classic Today!!!
Jan 1, 2008 NHL
Today’s the day! I am beside myself with excitement, even though I’m at work. It’s snowing pretty hard down by the Arena right now, I’m not sure how the Ralph is doing but it should be an amazing experience. People have drive hundreds of miles (without tickets even!) just to be a part of it. I’ll be updating throughout the day as new stuff hits me but I am not very articulate right now. LET’S GO BUFFALO!!
edit: already forgot this: Spacek as Captain = very yes
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Hockey, ice bowl, NHL, outdoor game, penguins, pittsburgh, sabres, Spacek, winter classic
Ultimate Sports Road Trip - Pics from the Ice Bowl
Dec 28, 2007 NHL
The Ultimate Sports Road Trip has new pictures from the Ralph.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Hockey, ice bowl, NHL, outdoor game, penguins, pittsburgh, sabres, winter classic
