04/18/24
July 16, 2008
The Friendly Frozen Confines: New Years Day 2009, Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field.
That's cool that they're bringing this back and doing it at Wrigley, but as I posted here, I wish they would not do this on New Years Day. I really feel that the NHL is missing an opportunity to rope in some new or casual fans by putting an event which could garner a lot of interest up against other events (bowl games) that those new/casual fans are likely to be watching already. I'm not saying this won't be successful, just that it could be more successful. BoKnows, wouldn't playing this game in Wrigley be closer than a football stadium?
posted by bender at 09:40 AM on July 17, 2008
Hmmmm...this seems so familiar. Of course back then it was just in the rumor stages and this is confirmation. I'll definitely be watching this one on the tee vee. One bit of advise for the poor fools that get stuck behind one of Wrigley's poles: don't put your tongue on it in January. Of course, one shouldn't put their tongue on it in July either. Mmmmm...pigeon shiiiit...
posted by NoMich at 09:41 AM on July 17, 2008
BoKnows, wouldn't playing this game in Wrigley be closer than a football stadium? Yeah, it'll be an outdoor hockey game in a baseball stadium;)
posted by BoKnows at 11:36 AM on July 17, 2008
The thing about competing with college football is that they don't put the best games on New Year's Day anymore, do they? It's a tradition, but the BCS has mucked that up a bit.
posted by gspm at 11:55 AM on July 17, 2008
This is great stuff.I grew up playing hockey on frozen ponds in Michigan.I bet many NHL players learned the game the same way.There is something essential about outdoor hockey,kind of like sandlot baseball.
posted by sickleguy at 12:14 PM on July 17, 2008
Yeah, it'll be an outdoor hockey game in a baseball stadium;) I don't think anyone is going to build an outdoor hockey stadium, not in the US anyway. The thing about competing with college football is that they don't put the best games on New Year's Day anymore, do they? It's a tradition, but the BCS has mucked that up a bit. Agreed, but there's still a large number of good games on New Year's Day. Hell, for me, this game wouldn't win over a regular season Saturday after September--and I don't think I'm alone in that--although I am interested in watching it. Hockey isn't even close to a level where it can compete with football. If it was up to me, I would put it either on a Saturday in mid-December or on a weekend after the Super Bowl. Of course, they're welcome to do it whenever they want, I just think they might be missing out on some opportunities. Or perhaps they could do more than one, one on New Year's Day and one some other time...
posted by bender at 12:24 PM on July 17, 2008
I don't think anyone is going to build an outdoor hockey stadium, not in the US anyway. I agree. I just think it would be cool if they got the fans closer to the game, rather than sitting on the third base side of the ice.
posted by BoKnows at 01:21 PM on July 17, 2008
They should make use of all that wasted space and play bandy instead of ice hockey. That would make for an even more interesting change of pace, plus get the fans closer to the action: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandy
posted by dave2007 at 05:18 AM on July 18, 2008
The Jan. 1 game could also be competing for viewers with college football bowl games, a New Year's Day tradition. I'll be watching hockey. The only thing that I would change is to get the fans closer to the ice. It just seemed like an outdoor hockey game in a football stadium and not an actual outdoor NHL hockey game. The game/level of play was awesome, the snow was awesome, this was awesome, but the fan in me wants to be right on the glass.