NHL Winter Classic - Yay or Nay?

[K.C.]

As someone who's, at best, a casual hockey fan, I've got to say that I had a lot of fun watching that Pens/Sabres game today.

I'm not sure how you could normalize something like that these days to where teams are playing outdoors regularly since there's a lot of things that work against it, but I think a few games, especially for the Canadian and Northeast team, outdoors a season would be a lot of fun.

That looked like a hell of a fun experience today for the fans.

[Snoogans]

I like hockey, and to me, it didn't make a difference. if a game is good enough to watch, it doesn't matter where they play

[BoondockSaint]

I'm with K.C. on this. I'm a casual fan but really enjoyed today's game.

[K.C.]

I like hockey, and to me, it didn't make a difference. if a game is good enough to watch, it doesn't matter where they play

True, but I'm also a believer in an environment being able to make a good game, a great game.

And that crowd was in to it all day. In fact the whole pre-game tailgating came off as one big party.

I'm not sure if it'd work if it was the norm, but it was good for what it was.

[TheGameHHH]

it was good for us fans, but you could tell the outdoors took away a lot of the speed of the game. for crying out loud pittsburgh didn't record a shot in the 2nd period. the slushy ice made it tough to move. outside of that it was fun to watch.

[Snoogans]

True, but I'm also a believer in an environment being able to make a good game, a great game.

And that crowd was in to it all day. In fact the whole pre-game tailgating came off as one big party.

I'm not sure if it'd work if it was the norm, but it was good for what it was.

it also depends on alot. You can stand on a corner in buffalo and 20K people would watch, cause there aint shit else to do. Im fine with it, I don't have anything against it. Just wouldnt matter to me, I get into anyway

[King Hippos Bandaid]

damn I missed it, I have been quite the veggie

I like when the NHL shakes things up

I think the addition of the shootout was also a kick ass idea

[Snoogans]

And in terms of growing the sport, this may help, but if they don't do something about the TV situation, it won't ever matter. The NHL gets burried now. This generated some talk, but not really as much as you would hope.

[Bossanova]

It was good to see that many people out there, hope it helps the sport move in a better direction. It def was good to see casual fans get into it, and also see how hard this game is to play that a little snow could change everything

[Tenbatsuzen]

I enjoyed the game, but the ice quality was really bad and slowed up the game. There was about 30-45 minutes of stoppage because of the ice quality.

I'd really like to see a outdoor night game at Yankee Stadium next year, the last event before they tear her down.

[Snoogans]

yea that will work great when it ends up being on one of those freak days that its 58 degrees

[BoondockSaint]

And it's the Bruins vs. the Islanders.

[Fallon]

I enjoyed the game, but the ice quality was really bad and slowed up the game. There was about 30-45 minutes of stoppage because of the ice quality.

I'd really like to see a outdoor night game at Yankee Stadium next year, the last event before they tear her down.

Theirs been talk of BC vs. BU at Fenway. I'd prefer an NHL game, but I'd go to that.

I really dug the game today, I'm currently watching it on my DVR, so the ice repair breaks aren't an issue.

[Snoogans]

Here is the thing that kinda bothers me. The NHL needed to pull a gimmick to make people talk about it. I'm glad, but at the same time, it's really sad when the NBA doesnt even have to do shit like that to get people to watch, but you do. If that game was inside and had the EXACT same game happen, no one would care. Thats what makes it a sad, overblown spectacle. Focus on fixing the sport totally rather then grandstanding for 1 day of popularity, and then right back into no one gives a shit.


BETMAN SUCKS

[NortonRules]

The Ice Bowl was fucking cool.

[NortonRules]

Here is the thing that kinda bothers me. The NHL needed to pull a gimmick to make people talk about it. I'm glad, but at the same time, it's really sad when the NBA doesnt even have to do shit like that to get people to watch, but you do. If that game was inside and had the EXACT same game happen, no one would care. Thats what makes it a sad, overblown spectacle. Focus on fixing the sport totally rather then grandstanding for 1 day of popularity, and then right back into no one gives a shit.


BETMAN SUCKS

Right...no gimmicks with the NBA...just shootings, rapings, sexual abuse cases at MSG, brawls. Not to mention the All-Star festivities, including a dunk contest (that's not a gimmick at all, right?).
And don't forget that white people are VERY out of fashion these days. No excitement from the liberal mass media about a bunch of white guys playing a sport.
It's much more fashionable to watch people other than whites and talk about what fine citizens they are and how hard working they are and how they overcame the oppressive white man's thumb. It's hard to do such heartbreaking bullshit stories in hockey, especially since the cold war is over.

[Snoogans]

Right...no gimmicks with the NBA...just shootings, rapings, sexual abuse cases at MSG, brawls. Not to mention the All-Star festivities, including a dunk contest (that's not a gimmick at all, right?).
And don't forget that white people are VERY out of fashion these days. No excitement from the liberal mass media about a bunch of white guys playing a sport.
It's much more fashionable to watch people other than whites and talk about what fine citizens they are and how hard working they are and how they overcame the oppressive white man's thumb. It's hard to do such heartbreaking bullshit stories in hockey, especially since the cold war is over.

OK first calm down, cause Im a big hockey fan. 2, No the dunk contest is not a gimmick used to get people to watch a regular season game. Thats the equivalent to the NHL skills comp during their all star weekend. My point was, its a sad state of the league when they have to play a game outside to get America to talk about it. And thats true in my opinion, cause I love hockey, so I think it should be popular. Thats why its sad, cause not enough people appreciate the sport of hockey, so they have to wait til a gimmick to watch it. I like the idea of outside games, I just think its sad thats the only way people will talk about the game.

Read things before you decide to flip out

[Snoogans]

and your post makes it even worse. All that awful shit, scandels, shootings, betting by refs happened in the NBA, and yet people still watch it without tryin to draw extra attention. I didnt say it was a good thing, I just said it makes the NHL look bad

[Sarge]

I am not a big hockey fan, but I watched some of the game and thought it was really good.

[K.C.]

Thats why its sad, cause not enough people appreciate the sport of hockey, so they have to wait til a gimmick to watch it. I like the idea of outside games, I just think its sad thats the only way people will talk about the game.


That's the reality the NHL has to accept, though. It's definitely sad when that happens to a sport, but the quicker they accept it, the quicker they can fix the problem.

For me, I'll just say that I could name you all four lines from the '97 Flyers, but outside of Gagne, Carter, Richards, and Biron, I couldn't even tell you who else is on the team today.

I don't know why hockey is so off my radar...it's not that I dislike the game, it's just that I don't feel invested in it.

To really fix the problem, as obvious as it sounds, the NHL just needs to get people to watch and give it a chance...that's kind of what that game did...and when people do watch, they need to make sure they have the right stars in place to draw fans in.

That's why I think the Winter Classic worked. They used the spectacle to draw people in and then sold Crosby as the face of the sport, with it culminating in him scoring the game winning goal.

And NBC did a really good job with the presentation of everything. The impression I was left with was that I want to check out some of that Bruins/Rangers game the next time they nationally broadcast on NBC.

[Axem Red]

I used to watch a lot of hockey back when Lemieux and Jagr were with the Penguins. But i just randomly ran into the Winter Classic yesterday and I thought it was a great game and a good idea to promote the NHL.

[cougarjake13]

i liked it, it wont work in a warm weather city but things along these lines will help the sport grow

[TheGameHHH]

Tim Cowlishaw brought up an awesome dream match today on Around The Horn. Devils v. Rangers at Yankee Stadium. I would LOVE to see that match-up.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

im gonna recind what I said before and change my answer to Yay

[cougarjake13]

Tim Cowlishaw brought up an awesome dream match today on Around The Horn. Devils v. Rangers at Yankee Stadium. I would LOVE to see that match-up.

that would kick ass

although he devils may cry and say they want it in the new jersey cardinals stadium


or more realistic ... giants stadium

[ralphbxny]

I didnt just like it...I LOVED IT!!!

[Snoogans]

They would do the game in Giants Stadium long before anywhere else just cause Giants Stadium has fake grass turf. You do this on a real grass field, and who knows if you will get that grass back how it was when it gets warm

[spoon]

Here is the thing that kinda bothers me. The NHL needed to pull a gimmick to make people talk about it. I'm glad, but at the same time, it's really sad when the NBA doesnt even have to do shit like that to get people to watch, but you do. If that game was inside and had the EXACT same game happen, no one would care. Thats what makes it a sad, overblown spectacle. Focus on fixing the sport totally rather then grandstanding for 1 day of popularity, and then right back into no one gives a shit.


BETMAN SUCKS


Fix what Snoogans? I say leave the fucking game alone and fuck the casual fan. I'm sick of tailoring all these changes to get a few more assclowns into the game for one year at best, while losing it's base with the efforts/moves. The event was just that, an event for some press and a break from the norm for some fun. For those that enjoyed it bc it was outdoors and thought the ACTION of the game was cool, you should watch a regular game bc they're much faster, better skilled and more impressive. Perhaps you need the gimmick to love a great game, I for one don't. Bc truly it was a gimmick and the game actually suffered bc of the elements. Ooooo, it was outside, who the fuck cares!? I can see the novelty of a game here and there for fun, but if you only liked hockey bc of it, you don't like the sport and move the fuck on. I'd rather you watch something you give two shits about then influence a sport I love.

[spoon]

I am not a big hockey fan, but I watched some of the game and thought it was really good.

I'm not trying to attack people here, but what exactly did this game have that the inside equivalent doesn't?? Open air and press!?!? Come on!

[spoon]

Tim Cowlishaw brought up an awesome dream match today on Around The Horn. Devils v. Rangers at Yankee Stadium. I would LOVE to see that match-up.

"dream matchup"? Stop acting like every team you like is the "dream" team of choice! In fact, the Devils still can't draw people with one of the best new arena's in the whole sport.

[TheGameHHH]

"dream matchup"? Stop acting like every team you like is the "dream" team of choice! In fact, the Devils still can't draw people with one of the best new arena's in the whole sport.

its a dream match-up for me, it doesnt have to be for you.......douche. stop acting like every post in this thread offends you in some manner

[cougarjake13]

its a dream match-up for me, it doesnt have to be for you.......douche. stop acting like every post in this thread offends you in some manner

he's just pissed because he was an orginal fan club member of the nordiques

[spoon]

he's just pissed because he was an orginal fan club member of the nordiques

Don't you dare diss the WHA!!!

:furious:

[cogsdoc]

I thought it was great in terms of bringing attention to the sport, and it was visually terrific. However, an outdoor game is not nearly as fast or crisp because of factors that can be typically controlled indoors (eg temperature, snow). Still worth it to see it happen once a year.

[cougarjake13]

I thought it was great in terms of bringing attention to the sport, and it was visually terrific. However, an outdoor game is not nearly as fast or crisp because of factors that can be typically controlled indoors (eg temperature, snow). Still worth it to see it happen once a year.

yeh it would get tainted if they did it too many times

[nate1000]

My only criticism of the event is that NBC used Bob Costas and the Vs. announcing team when we have two legends of the game available: Harry Neale and Rick Jeanerette. Rick and Harry call each and every Sabres game and are an announcing dream team.

Mike Emrick's incessant babbling over the action drives me nutty. That and

http://www.versus.com/images/Emrick133x200.jpg

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