113 replies to this topic

[Still MIGHTY]

I was watching ESPN today and they said that the NHL plans to have another outdoor game. THey are going to call it the "Ice Bowl"

The Penguins will play the Sabres in Ralph Wilson Stadium (the NFL's Buffalo Bills' stadium) on New Year's Day.

I think its a great idea, except it will conflict will all the college football bowls being played that day.

[Maverik]

I saw that too. Pens and Sabres on January first in an outdoor game. It worked out well last time, hopefully it will again this year.

Although, if the point of having a special feature like an outside game is to attract new fans to the sport, and show how exciting it is, you have GOT to plan it smartly. Planning it on a big college football day is NOT going to work. NHL should have thought about this and, like the PTI crew said, place this game on a weekend where there is no football, where it takes a break. Having it WITH football, Bettman, you are just shooting yourself in the foot. Pens fans and Sabres fans will already be watching, because it their teams, and a few other NHL fans will be watching as well. But that's just it. NHL FANS. That's not what we are worried about right now.

Put this on another date. One where everyone will get a chance to watch it. Not just the usual NHL fan.

[MrsBevo]

Football, schmootball. Who cares about that wussy sport? It will be nice to have something else to watch for a change!

[Duckbill]

Football, schmootball. Who cares about that wussy sport? It will be nice to have something else to watch for a change!

I really hope they stagger the presentation of this event so as not to conflict with a college football game. As much as i'd rather watch this I want the NHL to get some really good ratings and I want attendanceto be strong as well as ticket demand. It's better for the sport.

[Dark Knight]

It's not the photo, but the caption that makes me want to

Potential Hockey Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby and Ryan Miller will join the list of names that have played on Ralph Wilson Stadium.

LINK

I know the NHL has crowned Crosby as the greatest player... blah, blah, blah and that he appears on every page of every website and every ad, but isn't it a bit premature to use the words HHoF in the same sentence as his name (and Miller's), even with the "potential" attached to them? After all, what have they won for their teams?

[DucksSnip]

i love these games...i hope its like -20 that day and dumping snow...also didnt the have a game like this in vegas in the 80's with the kings? (hint hint anaheim stadium)

I really hope they stagger the presentation of this event so as not to conflict with a college football game. As much as i'd rather watch this I want the NHL to get some really good ratings and I want attendanceto be strong as well as ticket demand. It's better for the sport.

i think it sold out in like 20mins.

[432j]

It's not the photo, but the caption that makes me want to

I know the NHL has crowned Crosby as the greatest player... blah, blah, blah and that he appears on every page of every website and every ad, but isn't it a bit premature to use the words HHoF in the same sentence as his name (and Miller's), even with the "potential" attached to them? After all, what have they won for their teams?

Which really begs the question about the last time the league did this, when Gretz handed the torch to "the next generation" of stars: Selanne, Kariya, Lindros, Jagr and (I don't recall the 5th, was it Forsberg?).

Not only didn't Kariya live up to the hype, but I wouldn't say that HHOF is a realistic bet for him. Lindros has a shot, but it's certainly not sure-fire.

What about Daigle, Bonk, Jovonoski ... All guys that were hyped to a heavy extent?

To use it in reference to Crosby and Miller is really even beyond playing fast and loose with reality.

Should we start using the phrase "potential future hall of famer Alexander Ovechkin?"

[Dark Knight]

Should we start using the phrase "potential future hall of famer Alexander Ovechkin?"

How about Giguere (Conn Smythe, Stanley Cup) and Getzlaf (Stanley Cup) ?

[Marshy]

How about Giguere (Conn Smythe, Stanley Cup) and Getzlaf (Stanley Cup) ?

the cup doesnt get you into the hall. giguere will most likely be considered but getzlaf? nah, its all about showmanship and personal record breaking.

now i hate sid the squid as much as anyone here but really, he did break some records in his rookie year and has carried his team decently. do i think he is the next gretzky? no. he's alright though and doing well with a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

[Dark Knight]

the cup doesnt get you into the hall. giguere will most likely be considered but getzlaf? nah, its all about showmanship and personal record breaking.

Then what about Miller? Getzlaf already has more accomplishments than Miller

[sami_kaye]

My New Years is spent in front of the TV watching all the Bowl games. Unfortunately the Ice Bowl won't be one of those games for 2 reasons. 1. I hate the Penguins and even if they played Anaheim in the SCF, I still wouldn't watch, I hate them that much. And 2. Watching USC beat the life out of Illinois just seems like a better idea.

In case you didn't get it. I like teams in SoCal.

[DropThePuck]

MILBURY ON PLAYING OUTDOORS: "There's something about playing the game free form, free flowing when it's that cold. It feels like in the right moment you're skating at 40 miles per hour. It's that kind of passion that I grew up on, and it's that kind of passion that will be even more on display in an outdoor game like this. I guarantee it. It's going to be a special event. There will be no passengers on either team. These guys will be especially pumped up to do the game justice on the first of January."

OLCZYK ON THE OUTDOOR GAME: "I think it's special for any player who's grown up playing outdoors. It does take you back when you were a young boy growing up and dreaming about playing professional hockey and playing in the National Hockey League."
...
"NHL ON NBC" SEASON AVAILABLE FOR FIRST TIME TO MOBILE VIEWERS:
Beginning with the "NHL Winter Classic" on January 1, every game of the "NHL on NBC" schedule, including the "Game of the Week" and the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final will be available to mobile viewers on NBC Universal's mobile channel NBC2Go, through a live simulcast offered by Verizon Wireless V Cast Mobile TV in select markets.

<link>

[DropThePuck]

The boards are going up, the ice is going down and everything is back on schedule for the NHL's outdoor game between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Delayed by wind and snow Sunday and Monday, the league is converting Ralph Wilson Stadium into a hockey rink for Tuesday's Winter Classic.
...
A weather station has been installed halfway along the sidelines to give Craig up-to-the-minute information about temperatures, wind speed and direction, air pressure and dew points.

"We know every hour what's coming," Craig said. "That's the way you work it."

<link>

[Duck304]

2008 NHL Winter Classic

Current temperature in Buffalo, New York: 42 degrees (F), feels like 34 degrees (F). Rain showers.

[DropThePuck]

Workers prepare the surface of an ice rink at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007. The stadium is being converted into a hockey rink for the Winter Classic outdoor NHL hockey game between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008.
(AP Photo/David Duprey)


Workers build a camera platform overlooking the surface of an ice rink under construction at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007. The stadium is being converted into a hockey rink for the Winter Classic outdoor NHL hockey game between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008.
(AP Photo/David Duprey)


Workers prepare the surface of an ice rink at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. The stadium is being converted into a hockey rink for Tuesday's NHL Winter Classic outdoor game between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.
(AP Photo/David Duprey)

[MrsBevo]

Thank goodness for TV and indoor heating!

[DropThePuck]

Workers hang decorative drape around the outside of the rink boards at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 29, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York. The stadium's football field has been converted into an ice rink for the 2008 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2008.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images for the NHL)


Workers finish laying the center ice logo at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 29, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York. The stadium's football field has been converted into an ice rink for the 2008 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2008.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images for the NHL)

Maxime Talbot laughed at the old-style brown goalie pads Dany Sabourin strapped on for practice, a retro look if there ever was one, and immediately made a bet with his Pittsburgh Penguins teammate.

If Sabourin starts and wins the Winter Classic outdoor game in Buffalo on Tuesday wearing the 1950s-ish looking pads, Talbot declared, he must keep wearing them when the Penguins return indoors.

"It's going to be cool," Sabourin said, commenting not on the anticipated 29-degree game-time temperature but rather the back-to-the-future gear the Penguins will wear. "Guys are going to skate with the old-time brown skates, too. Just the whole thing, being outside, it's something that's going to be special."

<link>

[DucksSnip]

apparently to get rid of any unfair advantage's they will be switching sides midway through the 3rd period and if the game goes into overtime they will switch sides again at the 2 1/2 min mark. cant wait to see them stop the game just to switch sides...dont really see how that takes any advantage way...

and samikay you gotta watch this game......i dont have any interest in either team or the results. but this is a "classic" they dont always do this and this could be the last one they do.. im really excited for this one since i was very young during the heritage game and this will be the first outdoor game i will REALLY see...USC is going to kill them i dont need to watch the game to know that

[jojo983]

This will be a great game to watch. The whole concept is different and if I lived near NY I would have tried to get tickets to this event. Lets hope it works!

[DoPeY5007]

We plan on watching, if we end up going out then we will tivo it

[DropThePuck]

Workers finish laying the center ice logo and ice markings at Ralph Wilson Stadium, in New York, December 29. More than 73,000 spectators will brave frigid conditions here Tuesday to watch the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins stage the first National Hockey League game in a US outdoor venue.
(AFP/Getty Images/File/Rick Stewart)


Rich Arcangel dumps snow after resurfacing the ice at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 30, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York. The stadium's football field has been converted into an ice rink for the 2008 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2008.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images for the NHL)


Dan Craig, NHL Facilities Operation Manager watches Rich Arcangel resurface the ice at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 30, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York. The stadium's football field has been converted into an ice rink for the 2008 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2008.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images for the NHL)


Dan Craig, NHL Facilities Operation Manager watches Rich Arcangel resurface the ice at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 30, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York. The stadium's football field has been converted into an ice rink for the 2008 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2008.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images for the NHL)


Dan Craig, NHL Facilities Operation Manager stands at the center ice logo at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 30, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York. The stadium's football field has been converted into an ice rink for the 2008 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2008.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images for the NHL)

[Duck304]

I'll be watching this game no doubt. I'm a little confused on how they are going to film this thing. This is going to be awesome. 1:00.

[OrangeDucky]

I'm just a little concerned about the ice conditions...

[DropThePuck]

The stick room is seen in the Pittsburgh Penguins locker room prior to practice for the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 31, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Tape rolls and an old pin board are seen in the Pittsburgh Penguins locker room prior to practice for the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 31, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


The Pittsburgh Penguins locker room prior to practice for the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 31, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Dan Craig skates on the ice prior to practice for the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 31, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Sidney Crosby #87 (L) of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes his equipment off after practice for the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 31, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Jordan Staal #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates during practice for the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 31, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


A general view of the ice during practice for the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 31, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Colby Armstrong #20 of the Pittsburgh Penguins puts his skate guards on after practice for the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 31, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Head coach Michel Therrien of the Pittsburgh Penguins gives instructions during practice for the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium December 31, 2007 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)