auxlepli

The Winter Classic had the highest TV ratings in like 10 years. Seems to me having it on New Year's Day was a stroke of genius. I watched the whole thing, didn't even turn the station to check the Michigan score, which I was somewhat interested in seeing. To me the Winter Classic was that captivating. Then again, hockey >>>>> American college football. Granted none of the American football games had any implication on the mythical national championship scenario, but having a built-in audience that was already home sure helped the ratings. Playing the Winter Classic some other random weekend and it might get lost in the shuffle.

No one or no thing is ever due. Just ask the Leafs, Cubs or Lions.

Chicago is also a perfect example in what NOT to build for an NHL arena - the location and sanitized environment of the UC is horrible. Sight lines suck, it doesn't have any atmosphere, it has no character. It's an absolutely terrible place to see a hockey game. No wonder Hawks fans stayed away for so long.

Biggest ≠ Longest in my opinion. Anyway I've been a Wings fan as long as I've been an NHL fan, since 1995

Letting in three goals in the third is lame.

Then why not just post something like, "Other issues with the NHL," and just quote the dirty hits part? Why even bring up or quote the the goalie equipment issue in this thread when there's already another goalie equipment thread? That other part could've been quoted in the goalie equipment thread. There are many issues that are brought up from time to time, but when there currently another thread on goalie equipment I don't understand why it's not added there. That's why my first response had nothing to say about the goalies, because we were discussing it elsewhere.

Pronger he's been playing dirty longer.

In the Joe I like one or two rows down in the lower bowl on the sides. Plus an errant hockey puck might hit you in the head. The advantages to that are a possible rule change in your honor or you can sue the NHL.

That's exactly where they need to stay in my opinion. People who don't give a rat's booty about hockey shouldn't be allowed to have the best seats.

Is this anything like the death threats we make against Bettman, including Chelios' threat against him?

Yet another voice who says Laperriere's hit on Lidstrom was dirty. Doesn't necessarily make him right just because I agree him, but it's interesting comment nonetheless.

Are we in Inglewood? I'll take the Pepsi Challenge. The new hockey arena in Detroit will have a corporate name. It will be Coca-Cola related so the color scheme will match the Red Wings color scheme. This will also further intensify the Coke vs. Pepsi rivalry as well as the Wings vs. Avs rivalry, since they play in Pepsi Center.

Ducks had way more penalties in last night's game. I'll will be tracking this from here on out. Looks like Dean Brown is right. Still dirty is isn't ever right. Ducks 7, Avs 3.

Voted Toronto. Leafs haven't won a Cup in nearly 42 years yet they still sell-out the ACC on regular basis. Plus they have a very good road draw too.

That quote is great! Very colorful. iLOL

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There never is a right kind of dirty in my opinion. You either are or you are not. If you are dirty, then you are wrong. I understand his opinion, but I disagree with his hypothesis.

The goal should be called back - Bruer's skate is in the crease. Hell, even Legacy's skates are in the crease. Also two, didn't the puck bounce off the protective mesh before Fransen shot it?

I'm sure there are more Europeans in the NHL than the NBA, but that stat is increasing for the NBA. It seems there or more and more Europeans in the NBA every year.

Jeff Riger must be reading this. He just said something about it on WXYT. I think either Wrigley or Soldier Field would be a good site. Don't have a preference either way. Wouldn't it be cool if Lake Michigan was frozen and the game was on the lake? As for Wirtz, who's to say he doesn't resort to his father's evil ways? I could see that happening.

I think Chicago, the city not the team, would be great at hosting a Winter Classic. If it's in Chicago though Wirtz would probably black it out. Other than that the uniqueness factor might be lost like umredwing11 said.

College basketball I love, but I couldn't care less about pro basketball. I've tried again anew, but it doesn't captivate me anymore. Back in the 80's I loved it. Then it seemed teams played a differenent style game than they do now. Back then it seemed more team oriented - more passing, more running to get open. That doesn't happen anymore. Basically hockey, basketball and football are the same - put an object into another netted object. Basketball and football lack the speed, the physicality, and the intensity, which ice hockey has in abundance. That's why it's the best game I can name and all other sports pale in comparision.

The Bruins' Pooh-bear jersey raised nothing but bile and venom to my mouth. They made me want to hurl.

Six divisions = six division champions = six possible banners. Winning a division is important to new teams, or teams that never won a the President's Trophy, a Conference Championship or a Stanley Cup. Banner hanging games usually mean more fannies in seats too. Another money grab for owners! W00t!

On the front page ESPN poll the question is which is a greater highlight? Mike Eruzione's goal that beat the Soviets in 1980 or David Tyree's acrobatic catch late in Super Bowl XLII With about 58,000 votes cast the hockey goal is winning 60 to 40 percent. It's also carrying every state except Mississippi. It must really gall ESPN.