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.
NHL Winter Classic: Great To Be Outside, But for Whom?
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7 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Dhaval Patel about 1 year ago
I agree with the idea of an outdoor hockey game. It is stupid, let the "pond" games happen with the youth and people like me. It is fine if I sweat my yank off in cold weather but not pro's. As for never cracking the top four teams in major US markets it is in the top four mainly due to default. Like boston and Philly nothing else is there to take its place, but there are many who have stopped watching of late.
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J Milton about 1 year ago
Honestly I do enjoy the outdoor games. You look back to players like Gretzky and Lemieux and in todays era Staal brothers who still talk about the shinny games that are played outside. Sure its all for bragging rights when you play during the winter holidays with your families, so that is where I can see it. Bettman claimed it was an absolute success, so if it is and they wanna make it a yearly ritual do that but dont have points on the line. Maybe do it as the All-Star game or something like that. Watching those players yesterday just brought back the history of the game and I'm sure as cold and bitter some of the players seemed to be about it im sure those memories came back for them definetly.
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Michael Whittenberg about 1 year ago
As someone who doesn't really follow hockey, I have to say I enjoyed watching this. Sidney Crosby is the only thing keeping me a tad bit interested in hockey.
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Ron Grossman about 1 year ago
Outdoor hockey...ok we know what this is all about, hype, hype, hype aimed at making a buck, again!
Contrary to the other comments here, (all by Americans who have no true appreciation for this game, which is why in the new "My NHL" all is hype, hype, hype...)
The NHL exists beyond Philadelphia and Boston.
If you look at where Buffalo is as well, right on the Canada/USA border, it is obvious that Gary and company took no chances with where this 'hype of a game' would be played.
By playing this game in Buffalo there was no doubt that all the Canadian ticket holders would guarantee a sell-out. Did you see all the Maple Leaf jersey's as well as other Canadian based team shirts that NBC tried their best to hide? If you watched the CBC Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, it was clear that the "Canadian contingent' in the stands in Buffalo was sizeable.
Considering that you haven't been able to get a ticket in Toronto since 1946, or in Montreal for the last 10 years, getting into a game in Buffalo when 72,000 seats could be had was quite the temptation for any canadian who wanted to brave the cross-border snarl on the Peace bridge.
With all the empty seats in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Pittsburgh (until the new Crosby hype-there it is again-hype)- it is only a matter of time before all those Florida, Arizona and other out of control areas in the US of A will be moved back to canada. Real brains need to kick in and teams are returned to Quebec, Winnipeg and Hamilton and other areas where hockey is really asppreciated. 'Cause if it ain't hyped to you down south, you don't know it exists unless it is NFL or MLB, or otherwise. And if we examine how clean your sports are compared to hockey, it is obvious what the whole thing is about. Hype and a buck. Give me a break!
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Derek Kramer about 1 year ago
To the article, well, if the NHL gets a friggin contract to ESPN again, people will care again! (or I'd like to think...) If it means injury? Let it happen first, then we will see the problem. But dont bash that game, it was incredible for me and the other 73,000 that were in attendance, as well as the entire city of Buffalo. Thank you.
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Dennis Jeantet about 1 year ago
good article, but i can't agree. the winter classic was great for hockey and a great way to draw some casual sports fans in. sure i'd rather it not have snowed to see better hockey, but i think it added even more magic to the day. it's important to have one of these a year, if not then definately every other. it's a big draw and will get good ratings. sports need gimmicks, they all have them. everyone i know really like the winter classic and are looking forward to another one.
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Sean McLaughlin about 1 year ago
I was at the game in Buffalo and the atmosphere was AMAZING yet being a lone pens fan surrounded by drunken sabres fans it was a great experience. And from being there you could tell the action was actually pretty good (atleast better then i expected). the hitting, scoring, shots, saves everything was amazing. And as a matter of fact it only snowed DURING periods, when they were cleaning the ice it stopped for 20 minutes then start back up again, then stop, etc. It was an allaround great game from my perspective so i dont know what game you were watching on tv.
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