Winter Classic

My local team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, is not part of the Winter Classic. In a way that adds to the enjoyment. Watching a game with no vested interest in the outcome is quite liberating. The timing is unusual - Canadian aren't used to watching NHL games in the afternoon. Collectively, we love the game so much that Saturday night - arguably the best night of the week - has been devoted to the game.

It's funny to see Ty Conklin wobbling through the halls of Wrigley field on skates, emerging onto the modern day urban frozen pond. Conklin is the only player to have participated in all three Winter Classic matches. Wonder if his trade clause only includes moves to the game's host city?

Chicago hockey fans can delight in seeing not only their home town team's rebirth but also in the chance watch local legend Chris Chelios. Chicago fans have waited a long time for the Hawks to be a playoff contender, and even amidst some of the game's cheesiness, their love for the game is coming though loud and clear.

The anthems are now over, the puck is about to drop, and like you, I'm off to watch some upscale shinny. Enjoy.

Read More......

Winter Classic

Just in case you missed it, I will be attending the Winter Classic. I am heading to Chicago tomorrow morning and will be heading to practice in the morning and will be updating on my blog, and also through my twitter.

Any questions for the players, let me know in the comments!!

Read More......

I Know it's a Little Late...

So yea, I'm a little late posting this, but after the game I went to sleep and pretty much didn't wake up until now. But hey, it was well worth it.

So if you havn't guessed it; yes, I went to the Winter Classic, or as I call it, the Ice Bowl. I froze my butt off, but loved every second of it. I wasn't planning on going at first, until Christmas when I was surprised with a pair of 20th row, center ice tickets to the hottest game in town. (THANK YOU UNCLE TED!)

It was pretty much amazing. Bagpipes led the players in for warm ups, then smoke and flames later for the game. Fresh snow filled the stadium for most of the game, and most of the stadium didn't take a seat until the game had finished. And let me tell you, hearing 71,217 fans all chanting "Let's Go Buffalo!" gives you chills.

Well, here are some blurry, not great pictures of the game (snow and a bad camera don't make a great shot):

Read More......

They pre-empted Seal on Ice for that?!?!

Thank goodness there is no Triple Crown racing in January, eh? OT and a shootout? I was shocked...SHOCKED, I say, that NBC stuck with the Winter Classic. I mean, it ran 30 minutes past its scheduled time and they didn't pull the plug. I wonder why. Oh yeah, cuz Sid was playing.

In what have must have been Gary Bettman and the NHL's dream come true, Sidney Crosby scored the game winning shoot out goal in today's Winter Classic. It couldn't have been scripted better if they tried. As much as I can't stand Crybaby, the Kid comes through when it matters. Ya gotta respect that.

I loved that it was snowing for the game. I did not love that they had to stop every 5 minutes to patch up or otherwise service the ice.

In other NHL news (wait, there were other games today? I thought all the NHL players had to be in Buffalo to watch the game...), the 28th place Capitals continue to OWN the 2nd place Sens. Now that you really gotta love!

Happy New Year everyone!

Read More......