NHL Winter Classic: Great To Be Outside, But for Whom?

So like thousands (dare I say millions?) of hockey fans around the world, I watched the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Winter Classic was a follow-up to the NHL's previous outdoor game, which came off like a commercial for Montreal Canadiens hats.  This time, Ryan Miller wouldn't be outdone—and should have the entire supply of headgear sold out to the Buffalo Sabres faithful in no time flat.

The game was interesting to watch, but it wasn't really NHL-caliber hockey. If you ever played shinny and tried to stick-handle your way through snow-covered ice, you'll know how frustrating it can be.

Watching Sidney Crosby tap the puck in the air as he's skating should have told you that the conditions weren't exactly ideal.

In fairness, the action was entertaining, if only because it kept you saying to your buddies, "Wow, how are they able to stay warm? Imagine cleaning your visor like that all the time."

I for one thought the players should have just worn ski goggles.

The ending, at least, was ideal: Crosby taking a penalty with the game on the line, and finding the net for the winner. He was excited, and so should he have been—it's a great memory that he'll always keep.

In a postgame interview with the CBC, Crosby likened the lead-up to his shot to the scene in Gladiator where Maximus walks out to the thundering sounds of the stadium.  Personally, it reminded me of those awesome (note the sarcasm) NHL commercials with a lingerie-clad woman putting on a player's equipment before battle.

Now, of course, every team wants an outdoor game. Montreal is screaming for one before they host the All-Star Game. Maybe the league should consider playing on the beach in Florida—at least you'd get better looking fans than the fat guy in Buffalo with paint on his oversized belly.

In all seriousness, though, outdoor hockey isn't everything it's cracked up to be.

The ice conditions are horrible.  The players are playing in cold weather, which means their bodies aren't as loose as they should be.  Imagine if Crosby had torn a muscle in the cold.

Thankfully Eric Lindros is no longer playing, because with all the snow coming down, players had to constantly look down to stickhandle—and we all know what happens to players like that.

Sure, an outdoor game will sell 70,000-plus tickets. That's great money, but nowhere near what NHL owners are paying their stars.

My two cents: The Winter Classic is yet another gimmick that Gary Bettman and Co. are using to secure an NHL TV contract in the U.S.

But hockey will never crack the top four sports in large U.S. markets—so why keep trying? Instead, grow the game where it's strong, keep the current teams flourishing, and be happy with that.

In any event, see you at next year's outdoor game. I'll have my latest toque in hand—or on my head. Whatever. You get the idea.