Reviewing the 2009 Winter Classic

First off, a very Happy New Year to all my readers, as well as all the writers on Bleacher Report. Hope the holidays were good to all of you.

Now then, let's chat a bit about the topic of the day for any hockey fan: The Winter Classic.

This year, Ty Conklin's Detroit Red Wings (he's played in all three Outdoor games you know...and if memory serves, has now won two of the three) faced off the surging Chicago Blackhawks, who are led by sophomores Patrick Kane and captain Jonathan Toews.

Speaking of that name, the correct pronunciation aside, I got a good laugh out of that sign saying a fan was "freezing their Toews off." Always great to see fan interaction through signs, cheers, or whatever.

The game itself had some of the prettiest goals all year, including Ben Eager's gutsy wraparound goal after winning a fight on the boards to put the Hawks up 3-1 in the first, as well as Pavel Datsyuk's phenomenal worker goal that put the game in firm possession of the Red Wings.

Chicago got the chance to host this year, coming out of Wrigley Field. The famous ball stadium follows up Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium in 2003 and Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium last year when the Sabres were just edged by Pittsburgh,  where Crosby was seen scoring the shootout winner. No need for an extra period this afternoon, although by the end, fans and commentators alike were begging for more.

After being shutout 4-0 by Detroit a few days ago, Nik Khabibulin was replaced by Cristobal Huet for this game. Their loss to Detroit had ended a team record (this is counting back to the teams who played in the '20s) nine game winning streak. Chicago jumped out quickly, hoping to stay consistent against one of the West's superpowers. They've made a great impression this year, they have...just not today.

Chicago took advantage of a few power plays and Martin Havlat's sudden skill in the outdoor environment to take a 2-1 lead on the Wings. Then, Ben Eager scrapped along the boards with the Wings scrambling and made a beautiful move to win the fight AND score the goal. This made it 3-1 for the Hawks.

The crowd in Wrigley were chanting "We want the Cup!" It was a heck of a start. A player from Detroit was even checked right into the Hawks bench, up and over. This got Detroit confused, and they ended up throwing another man on to replace him—only to see him jump back on the ice from the other team's bench. Another penalty. Just hilarious.

After suffering through a recap of Chicago's dynamic duo singing for the fans at Wrigley (just joshing guys...or am I?), both teams came out for a second period with more PP's...and a complete shift in momentum. Conklin had been getting press for his background in this setting, but I thought he looked shaky and nervous in that first period, like his edge was missing. He sure got it back in the second.

Conks turned everything away, and Detroit had Jiri Hudler pot two to tie the game. Then we got that dazzling goal by Pavel Datsyuk. The dynamo went from the Hawks side of center, deked through the wingers, then cut through both defenders on the way to beating a sprawling Huet under his pads. Advantage, Detroit.

It was great to see Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull talking about their days with the Hawks, and then there was that interesting tidbit about how the duo was, much like Kane and Toews, only in their early-20s when they won the Cup. It's been a long time since 1961 (longer than the drought of the Maple Leafs), but as much as I hate to believe it, in a few years, look out for Chicago in the playoffs.

On a side note, how many people here watched the program Royal Canadian Air Farce??

Okay, before you think this is wildly off-topic let me finish. Ron McLean was hosting the Chicken Cannon portion and brought a "special target." Don Cherry. He looked and sounded downright diabolical as he plotted Don's demise, via the Cannon. Thought they'd maybe mention it today with that program, Air Farce's final after 16 years on TV, airing last night. Oh well.

Back to the game we go. Detroit finished their masterful comeback, scoring two more for a total of five unanswered goals, taking a 6-3 lead. The Hawks appeared to get sloppier each period, and looked something akin to bored in their end as the third ticked by. Khabibulin even got to play after the sixth Detroit goal, which went to a review, was allowed. The Bulin Wall showed more energy than Huet, allowing the Hawks to score one more in the dying seconds. It was too late. The damage had been done.

And so, Chicago let one slip away, as Detroit used their league-best power play and the skills of their top player to beat Chicago, 6-4 in the 2009 Winter Classic.

Another thing that happened early in the game was goalie interference after the whistles. Both teams took one shot each leading to two separate scrums. They settled down and referee Bill McCreary told each bench, no more after the retaliation.

When other goalie interference plays happened, including a Detroit forward running through Huet, who lay on the ice motionless for a few seconds, a player was penalized. Good job by the refs today.

I see Gary Bettman liked what he saw of the Classic. Knowing this, I have one request, just one. The States got the last two, we got the first one, time for Canada to get another go. And I'm thinking, let's see how many show up in a place where NHL hockey hasn't been in over a decade...say, Winnipeg?

Let's all take some time tonight to think about that, and yes Gary I'm talking to you too, and also find time to reminisce on today's Winter Classic. It had a lot more skill from players than last year, and a little intrigue too. I'm not much for New Year's Resolution, but I wouldn't mind seeing one of these every new year from now on.

Oh, and one in Winnipeg. Just saying.

Till next time,

This is your Crowd Coach...signing off.