Winter Classic - Some Thoughts

It was a heck of a game, and if anyone was the true winner it was probably the guys who organized an event like this and had it go off with nothing worse than one stubborn hole in the ice. It ended the only way something like this could have ended, with Crosby going five-hole on Ryan Miller as the last shooter in the shoot out. You just can't script a better ending for the NHL's big shining moment on NBC and for once the focus of the sporting world. (There was of course a small college football game called the Rose Bowl today...but weather conditions were more favorable there and they have experience playing outside.)

Opponents of the shoot out will have their issues (and I am one of them), but considering the weather and the game, you have to admit that a 1-1 tie would have been a serious dissapointment. That someone could skate away the winner of such a game has some merit to it - even though it wasn't the home team Buffalo. Although, based on the jerseys in the stands, it's hard to say who really was the home team there. Powder blue was mighty plentiful in the crowd.

Speaking of which, I think we have seen the beginning of what will probably (finally) become a lot more common place in the league: teams wearing vintage jerseys. Heritage jerseys aside, hoopla aside, and wishful thinking aside, if you can honestly say that either one of those teams didn't look brilliant on the ice than you were blinded by the snow. Stop the presses and throw third jerseys out the window. If they can make those old blue Pens jerseys look that good using the Rbk Edge design and fabrics, then you can only imagine what they can do with some other classics. If Reebok wants to make their jerseys a huge attraction and focus, then I think they just found a better way to do it than adding an 8% speed increase and non-water absorbing fabrics. (In a related note the jerseys used were the "Edge 2" model which incorporate a variation on the types of fabrics used in certain parts.)

Snow. Lots of snow. And lots of cleaning of the ice. And a broken zamboni. Because of snow. But, it didn't go so far as to ruin the game and I think it actually added to the atmosphere. Heck, at least it wasn't a cold rain for 3 hours, that really would have killed things. If they have the gall to play "Let it Snow, Let is Snow, Let it Snow" over the PA, then things couldn't have been that bad for the 71,000+ people who were in attendance. The fact that it was 1-1 through regulation, and not 7-5 is also a good sign that the goalies weren't completely at a disadvantage in regards to seeing the game play. (Although, I think some of this was also due in part to the low number of shots in general and the speed of the game being rather hampered by conditions.) No snow for an outdoor hockey game would be like an open air music festival without rain and mud.

So, was it a success? I'd say so. It wasn't called after the second period, there were no weather related disputes or "scandals". Nobody got hurt because of the hole in the ice, and the goals remained on the pegs when they needed to. The name "Winter Classic" sounds to me like it implies an event that is recurring, and I'm guessing that when the NHL reviews the game and everything surrounding it that they will definitely begin looking at the next outdoor game. Where and when it will be held is anybody's guess. Seems like everybody wants one of these things now. Philadelphia wants to play Pittsburgh at Penn State, I'm sure Buffalo will want another match, Detroit wants one... They could make an entire weekend out of these matches. Someone on the CBC even suggested having the All-Star game held outside... Seems like the NHL may finally be making some headway when it comes to bringing the sport back to it's elements (and back to the fans).

All in all it was a great way for the league to start the new year.