Posted on 01/01/2008 12:29:20 AM PST by BurbankKarl
At first blush, the idea of trying to pit hockey head-to-head with college football on New Year's Day seems ill-advised.
But the closer the Amp Energy Winter Classic gets, the more it seems to make sense.
When the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres play an outdoor game Tuesday before 70,000 fans at the Buffalo Bills' Ralph Wilson Stadium, the NHL will truly have a novelty on a day when most sports fans are content to sit on the couch.
Yes, hockey will take on the likes of Michigan vs. Florida and Texas Tech vs. Virginia when the puck drops at noon Dallas time. But the NHL has the power of NBC behind the game with a star-studded production anchored by Bob Costas.
So this has a shot to draw in some interesting ratings – and could become a talker, which is just what the league needs.
First, the game itself should be fun. The temperature is expected to be around 30 degrees. That's a little warm for an outdoor game, but it will be much better than the weather the league experienced the last time it held an outdoor game – Nov. 22, 2003, in Edmonton. Temperatures that night hovered around minus-15, and actually made the game somewhat difficult to play.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
I’m a Penguins fan, so I’m planning on recording it. I work midshift, so I’ll watch it when I get up. (yes, I’m at work. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!)
GO PENS!!!!
:-)
I’ll have to miss this game, since I’m going to the Rose Bowl tomorrow to root for the USC Trojans as they take on Illinois.
This is going to be fun. Football can wait.
Frozen sports ping.
Fer some reason......
our house will be watching : ) we were watching the practice sessions and discussions of this game on the NHL network yesterday.
MY sister, B-i-l, Niece, her daughter, Nephew, his wife and thier 2 daughters will all be at the game — They got Upper deck center ice seats. GO SABRES!!!!!!
Awesome...snowing and 20 degrees
What a neat scene.
My son wanted to start a thread (I’m glad we searched). Too kewll...snowing and windy in Buffalo. Pens up 1 (21 seconds in...Sid the Kid!!!!). Alot of Pens fans up there (Terrible Towels?). Love the retro unies too!
Zamboni break right now (to remove the snow). Great game so far. Snow drops on the camera lens...Pens still up 1-0.
They are gonna need to refuel the Zambonis a couple times today
Hey, they just featured me between periods!
I’m not playing...I’m suspended. :-)
LOL...and those Zambonis leave a BIG carbon footprint :)
Just had the weather report on (between periods). Heavy snow coming in the third.
LOL they revisited Slapshot during the period break (ears burning?)
Sleeting now in Buffalo :)
I’m amazed they were able to find enough usable clips from the movie to put in network TV without bleeping out half the words. :-)
You are legend! They are still talking about you in the 2nd period.
Oh...too funny. That was discussed here.
Buffalo tied the game :(
BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 01: Colby Armstrong #20 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his goal with teammate Sidney Crosby #87 during the first period of the NHL Winter Classic against the Buffalo Sabres at the Ralph Wilson Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Buffalo, New York.
Fans react to a helicopter flyover prior to the 2008 NHL Winter Classic game on January 1, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The stadium's football field has been converted into an ice rink for the game
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