Winter Classic Jan. 1, 2008

[Zion 93]

I couldn't possibly care less about college football. I mean, really, even THEY draft out-of-area... so if you didn't go to the college, why would you even care about them?

That said, this game was too dull. Last year's Penguins and Sabres would have made for a MUCH more exciting game. I didn't appreciate the "This is the REAL Hockeytown" signs, but living here in Buffalo, it's tough to argue.

Great day for hockey. Next time, put it on when nothing else is on...

[schulzte 18]

A few observations about the Winter Classic today

1. I'm a huge Ryan Miller fan (MSU '04 myself), but I was hoping today's game would be about 8-7, and Crosby would score about 5 goals. I didn't care who won, I just wanted channel surfers and non die-hards to see a few more goals.

2. I view this as a kamakazie move by Bettman. What did he have to lose? The ratings won't be great, but why not try to catch a sports oriented audience? I was hoping Michigan would be getting beaten by 30 and people would switch to hockey...but that didn't happen.

3. I though Costas might not take this game seriously, but he was first class as usual. He could make me interested in a Nebraska bass fishing tournament. His story about Goldthorpe and the Syracuse minor league team was great. Milbury is kind of a tool though. NBC should have gotten a bigger, hall of fame name to help (not Brett Hull though). HE NEEDS TO ANCHOR THE STANLEY CUP FINALS!!!!

4. This game needs to happen in Michigan. The MSU/U of M and Red Wings/Maple Leafs double header would be great. And as much as I hate to say it, it should be at the big house. Their season is over early, and they don't know how to grow grass so we wouldn't have to worry about wrecking the fieldturf. I would set it up differently though. I would put the hockey rink on one end of the stadium, and turn it on a 90 degree so it went across the field instead. The field at Michigan Stadium is only about 230-250 feet across, so the fans would be much closer to the ice. Then just use half the stadium and set up some temporary bleachers along the other side boards. You could still have a crowd of 60,000 plus and the seating arrangment wouldn't be nearly as bad as it has been at past games.

5. Doc Emerick has grown on me. His line "occasionally, spontaneous fighting does occur in this game" was funny. It was like an inside joke between him and the diehard hockey fans watching that the channel surfers might not have picked up on.

Edited January 1, 2008 by schulzte

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

4. This game needs to happen in Michigan. The MSU/U of M and Red Wings/Maple Leafs double header would be great. And as much as I hate to say it, it should be at the big house. Their season is over early, and they don't know how to grow grass so we wouldn't have to worry about wrecking the fieldturf. I would set it up differently though. I would put the hockey rink on one end of the stadium, and turn it on a 90 degree so it went across the field instead. The field at Michigan Stadium is only about 230-250 feet across, so the fans would be much closer to the ice. Then just use half the stadium and set up some temporary bleachers along the other side boards. You could still have a crowd of 60,000 plus and the seating arrangment wouldn't be nearly as bad as it has been at past games.

The fan in me would love such a doubleheader and it sounds great in theory, but there were so many delays (both on purpose and unintentional due to the weather) that it would take forever for these games to end. If the goal is to increase viewership on TV with these outdoor games, I'm kinda against a doubleheader.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

5. Doc Emerick has grown on me. His line "occasionally, spontaneous fighting does occur in this game" was funny. It was like an inside joke between him and the diehard hockey fans watching that the channel surfers might not have picked up on.

I used to really like Emrick, but he's becoming more and more Madden- like where he just starts ranting about whatever and not even acknowledging things that happen during the game. Ive noticed a few times just in the past couple games where a few real big hits have happened and he just kept going on and on with his story like he didnt even see it.

[auxlepli 17]

I used to really like Emrick, but he's becoming more and more Madden- like where he just starts ranting about whatever and not even acknowledging things that happen during the game. Ive noticed a few times just in the past couple games where a few real big hits have happened and he just kept going on and on with his story like he didnt even see it.

I didn't pick up on any of that today.

The amount of stoppages were kinda bad, but still way less than some other sports. In my opinion the game kept my interest, and it was exciting. The announcers and fans passion added to that. The Winter Classic was far from boring, unlike this Rose Bowl game.

[lfd250 1]

Yea, but who get's first dib's on tickets Season Ticketholders for Red Wings or College?

[shannyfan1414 0]

I just wanted to say that i thought that was a great game today. You had to love the fact that they were getting all of that snow durring warm ups and the first period. I thought that was just so fitting for the outdoor game. After the first period the ice seemed to improve and the game picked up and it was fun to watch. Crosby is a talented player and you got to see just a little bit of that. I love watching the stuff on Buffalo's past on CBC.

Just thought it was really cool. I do hope that one day we will get the chance to have one of those here in detroit.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Really? I was thinking the opposite. That it's probably really hard to handle the puck and make certain plays with the snow in the way and the ice not at it's best. It seems like the puck has been slipping a lot which is why I think the game is low scoring.

True, but the shots that had been gotten off (which were plenty - 62 total) still had to be difficult to see given the amount of snowfall, drift and wind.

[StormJH1 231]

I used to really like Emrick, but he's becoming more and more Madden- like where he just starts ranting about whatever and not even acknowledging things that happen during the game. Ive noticed a few times just in the past couple games where a few real big hits have happened and he just kept going on and on with his story like he didnt even see it.

I used to HATE Emrick and I've only started to "tolerate" him a little recently. He's not even half as good as many of the local teams (Daniels/Redmond included), and I liked both of ESPN's teams (Thorne/Clement and Dave Strader) better back when they were doing games.

Emrick's knowledge of the game seems alright, but his timing is terrible and he is prone to those nonsensical rants you were referring to. He gets caught up in a conversation and then notices a goal has been scored 2-4 seconds after you see it on TV, and then he tries to cover with a "Whoooooaaaa! Scores!"

[JayUp88 1]

I thought the game turned out to be great. It could have used a little more scoring but still pretty good. They have a pole up on NHL.com asking where to play the next outdoor game and New York is really taking the lead.

[Louisville 112]

Don't know if this was posted but I liked his quote.

''During breaks, I just looked around. It was incredible. I thought it was great for the game, and to hell with the cynics.''

- Sabres' head coach Lindy Ruff, offering rave reviews on Tuesday's Winter Classic, played in front of over 70,000 fans in Buffalo.

[JoeBuddy 10]

Does anyone know why Ryan Miller had that snow hat over his goalie mask? I don't think it really did much for his ears.

[Gizmo 21]

Overall, my feelings are the same as Ruff's... "Nuts" to the naysayers. It worked. It was a gamble by the NHL, but it paid off.

- To me it was great fun watching a bunch of stuff in the game that you never normally get to see/hear.

1) NHL players dealing with the elements and snow on the ice.

2) Switching ends in the middle of the 3rd.

3) Two goalies using the same net for a SO.

4) The roar of 70K people in the stands.

- Yes, the mid-game ice repairs were a bit of a wet blanket, but I wasn't a big deal to me. It gave me a little extra time to fix a sandwich, pour a drink, or go watch at couple minutes of the Michigan bowl game. Also, from the sounds of it, the fans were still having a blast. It was a misdemeanor at worst.

- Should the NHL do this every year? I don't think so. Making it an annual event would, to me, take away some fo the novelty of the game. Every couple of years would do nicely. It addition, it WAS a gamble. If the temp would have warmer and rain had fallen instead of snow, or the ice had been more of a problem, or if it had been a monster snow storm, the game would have been a total bust.

- As for the idea of a UM/MSU and Wings/Habs double-header. That sounds pretty cool... but I think the NCAA would have a lot of issues with the notion.

[wingslogo19 281]

This was great, it was a great gamble and it really did pay off for the NHL... The ice conditions weren't that great, but some of the players used to play pond hockey... It was great to see Sid win it in the SO and good to see how happy he was.. I wouldn't want to see this all the time but once or twice in a year would be great. Big from me

[jpfalcon09 0]

The game received a 2.4 overnight rating, the highest rating for a hockey game since the Fox games in the 90s.

[JayUp88 1]

Woo Hoo, Lets go hockey!!! I watched the game but i am guessing i didn't help because i watched it on CBC and not NBC. I just love CBC better.

[96warrior 11]

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/

Winter Classic On NBC Draws 2.4 Overnight Rating

by Paul on 01/02/08 at 01:07 PM

Comments (2)

via William Houston of the Globe and Mail,

NBC exceeded audience expectations for its coverage of the Buffalo outdoor game on New Year’s Day by earning a 2.4 overnight rating (percentage of the potential U.S. audience tuned in).

Sources said an American network has not produced an audience of that size for an NHL regular season game since the Fox Sports telecasts in the 1990s.

added 3:27pm, from NBC Universal Media Village,

NEW YORK – January 2, 2008 – The NHL Winter Classic, broadcast New Year’s Day on NBC, earned a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5 share (1-4:45 p.m. ET), the best overnight NHL regular season rating in more than a decade (Feb. 3, 1996 on Fox, six-game regional, 3.0/7).

[Guest Jeremy88]

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/

Winter Classic On NBC Draws 2.4 Overnight Rating

by Paul on 01/02/08 at 01:07 PM

Comments (2)

via William Houston of the Globe and Mail,

NBC exceeded audience expectations for its coverage of the Buffalo outdoor game on New Year’s Day by earning a 2.4 overnight rating (percentage of the potential U.S. audience tuned in).

Sources said an American network has not produced an audience of that size for an NHL regular season game since the Fox Sports telecasts in the 1990s.

added 3:27pm, from NBC Universal Media Village,

NEW YORK – January 2, 2008 – The NHL Winter Classic, broadcast New Year’s Day on NBC, earned a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5 share (1-4:45 p.m. ET), the best overnight NHL regular season rating in more than a decade (Feb. 3, 1996 on Fox, six-game regional, 3.0/7).

Is that good?

[40#1Fan 0]

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/01/wi...multimedia.html

The Wings' website posted a ridiculously-long (in a good way) 6:35 clip of NHL players speaking about the Winter Classic: Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, Dan Cleary, Kirk Maltby, Mike Babcock, Dominik Hasek, Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano, Stars goaltender/NHL competition committee member Marty Turco, and Mike Ribeiro all suggest that the Winter Classic should be a once-a-year event.

Babcock's comments are especially noteworthy--he'd like to see the NHL stage a game at Michigan Stadium, adding the U.S. National Development Team Program vs. a Canadian team, a Michigan-Michigan State game, and a pre-game tournament would generate a tremendous amount of revenues for the Metro area and the state, and it would put Michigan back on the map, so to speak, and it would sell well given Michigan's proximity to Canada, especially if the Wings played the Leafs. Babcock also notes that all the students at U of M and MSU could help in terms of organizing the events as interns. The NHL should be taking to Babcock about staging the event!

[Bluedevils_13 0]

Did anyone see Pardon the Interruption today on ESPN? I usually don't care what they say about...well pretty much anything, but it is hard to turn away when they are complementing the game. Anyways, both of the guys on there were pretty much glowing about the outdoor game, and Wilbon went even as far to say he thought it was more exciting than any bowl game, even the Michigan Florida game.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Is that good?

2.4 rating, when recent ratings for Cup finals have struggled to hit around 1? And also that it was the most viewed hockey game since the 90s when hockey was more popular?

I'd definitely say so.

[auxlepli 17]

Did anyone see Pardon the Interruption today on ESPN? I usually don't care what they say about...well pretty much anything, but it is hard to turn away when they are complementing the game. Anyways, both of the guys on there were pretty much glowing about the outdoor game, and Wilbon went even as far to say he thought it was more exciting than any bowl game, even the Michigan Florida game.

What's truly amazing about that whole post was that Kornheiser gave the game a glowing review. Did he, or was somebody else filling in for him? Kornheiser hates hockey. Wilbon I expected to like it, but not Kornheiser.

A 2.4 rating is great news in my opinion.

[vangvace 12]

2.4 rating, when recent ratings for Cup finals have struggled to hit around 1? And also that it was the most viewed hockey game since the 90s when hockey was more popular?

I'd definitely say so.

Highest rated reg season game since Gretzky's last

[Bluedevils_13 0]

What's truly amazing about that whole post was that Kornheiser gave the game a glowing review. Did he, or was somebody else filling in for him? Kornheiser hates hockey. Wilbon I expected to like it, but not Kornheiser.

A 2.4 rating is great news in my opinion.

Oh no, it was Kornheiser that's just what got me in the first place the fact that they bothe openly enjoyed a hockey game.

[96warrior 11]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._game_here.html

Wings want outdoor game here

by Ansar Khan

Thursday January 03, 2008, 12:21 AM

DETROIT -- Watching the Winter Classic on TV Tuesday gave several Detroit Red Wings the itch to relive the pond hockey days of their youth and play a game outdoors.

The NHL is expected to host more outdoor games in the future. Detroit players hope the league brings the event to Michigan.

"It would be unbelievable, fill The Big House (Michigan Stadium) and have a hockey game there and have all the fans show up," Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. "That would be a great experience."

Dan Cleary said he was pumped up watching on TV as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Sabres 2-1 in a shootout before 71,217 at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium in the first outdoor NHL game in the U.S.

"I thought it was really cool, a little white sheet of ice and all those fans," Cleary said. "I can definitely see it coming to Michigan. Michigan would be a great host. It would be great for the kids, everybody throughout the whole state."

The Red Wings explored the possibility of hosting an outdoor game at Comerica Park a few years ago but came to the conclusion that it would be too costly and that the stadium's seating configuration wouldn't be optimal for fans. An outdoor game would have to be held at Michigan Stadium or Spartan Stadium, which hosted the 2001 "Cold War" between Michigan and Michigan State.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said an outdoor game in the state would generate a festive atmosphere.

"Do it at The Big House or wherever you want to do it. We're so close to Canada you'd get a lot of people that way, especially if it were Toronto and us," Babcock said. "If you did a college game as a warm-up the day before, a three-on-three tournament, you could have an unbelievable festival that would generate revenue for our city and put hockey back on the map again. I think it would be a fantastic thing."

Chris Chelios said spectacles like Tuesday's game are worth it for the attention they bring to the sport.

"That's a no-brainer, if we can get on national television and get the exposure, that's the only thing we're lacking," Chelios said. "Not a knock against our TV deal (on Versus) because they do the best job they can to promote it, but it doesn't get into all homes."

The NHL is exploring the possibility of having the Red Wings and Toronto play at Ford Field next season, as a dry run for the 2010 Frozen Four, the NCAA hockey championships that the stadium will host.