Kukla's Korner Hockey
Entries with the tag: winter+classic
Winter Classic Ratings
by Paul on 01/02/09 at 01:12 PM ET
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from Gene Laverty of Bloomberg,
The Detroit Red Wings’ 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday at Wrigley Field topped last year’s National Hockey League outdoor game by 12 percent in preliminary television ratings.
The game at the home of baseball’s Chicago Cubs was the third annual outdoor contest and had an overnight rating of 2.9, according to Nielsen Media Research. That tops the 2.6 rating for last year’s match in snowy Buffalo, New York, between the Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins, which had the biggest television audience for an NHL game since 1996.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Wrapping Up The Winter Classic
by Paul on 01/02/09 at 07:44 AM ET
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The Hockey Show takes us on an all access tour of the greatest outdoor party in Chicago.
from Lindsey Ungar at DetroitRedWings.com,
The taunting between fans of the Red Wings and Blackhawks went both ways, turning Wrigley Field into the “Not So Friendly Confines” Thursday afternoon.
Danni Wysocki, originally from Northville, Mich., but now living in Chicago, held up her “Our Mayor Can Beat Up Your Governor – Go Wings!” sign every chance she could.
Make sure to check out the pictures of the Winter Classic at NHL.com.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Winter Classic Hits A Home Run
by Paul on 01/01/09 at 07:24 PM ET
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Pierre LeBrun and Scott Burnside wrap up their impressions of the Winter Classic.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
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+/- From The Winter Classic
by Paul on 01/01/09 at 05:16 PM ET
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from Mark Hermann of Newsday,
MINUS: What’s with those Indiana Jones hats for Detroit coach Mike Babcock and his staff?
PLUS: The Cup champion Red Wings are still the class of the league. Outstanding team.
MINUS: Sad to say, but it’s hard to imagine if the casual sports fan—the person who flipped over from the Nebraska-Clemson game on CBS—could name even one player on the Red Wings.
PLUS: Excellent point by Bob Costas in the closing segment, pointing out that Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls kept getting thwarted by the Detroit Pistons on their way up, the way it looks like the Blackhawks will have to do.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Updates From The Winter Classic
by Paul on 01/01/09 at 08:35 AM ET
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from Eric McErlain of AOL Fanhouse,
Well, the big day is finally here, and FanHouse is ready and on the ground in Chicago for the 2009 NHL Winter Classic. The twittering will start early and often on gameday, so be sure to check back frequently for updates all the way through the game and the postgame interview sessions.
continue for some pics and video from yesterday.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Obstructed Views From The Rooftops
by Paul on 12/31/08 at 06:14 PM ET
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from the Chicago Tribune,
Wrigleyville rooftop owners stopped just short of a lawsuit with complaints that video screens erected for Thursday’s Winter Classic in the right and leftfield corners of Wrigley Field would obstruct the view of their own paying customers.
Cubs chairman Crane Kenney confirmed that the longtime acrimony between the rooftop owners and the baseball team has spilled over into the hockey arena with threatening letters sent to the club objecting to the 16-by-14-foot screens.
“They’re not located to block the views of the rooftops,” said NHL spokesman Frank Brown, “but out of respect to certain quirks in Wrigley’s architecture. They’re as out of the way as they can be.”
Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
No ‘Doc’ Tomorrow
by Paul on 12/31/08 at 02:21 PM ET
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from Puck The Media,
This news coming via an NBC Press Release:
CHICAGO — Dec. 31, 2008 — Hall of Fame broadcaster “Doc” Emrick will be unable to call tomorrow’s NHL Winter Classic due to laryngitis. Dave Strader, who is the play-by-play voice of the Phoenix Coyotes and has also worked for NBC Sports, will fill in for Emrick.
“Last year’s game was a lifetime memory and I couldn’t wait to call this year’s game at Wrigely,” said Emrick. “I’m extremely disappointed but I know Dave will do a wonderful job.”
Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Mike+Emrick, Winter+Classic,
NHL Network Coverage Of Winter Classic Practice
by Paul on 12/31/08 at 12:33 PM ET
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The NHL Network is doing a great job covering the WC Practice at Wrigley. Great interviews, coaches are mic’d up and the scene is just great.
A bit of a concern with the ice, the players were asked not to do many quick turns in the corners since the ice is still not in the best of conditions right now.
Chicago is on the ice now, followed by the Wings.
The show is being hosted by Brian Duff and Larry Murphy with Gary Green handling the interviews.
added 12:45pm, Watch below the live strean of the WC Practice session at Wrigley…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Celebrate The Winter Classic
by Paul on 12/31/08 at 11:23 AM ET
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from Jeremy Mullman of Ad Age,
To promote its Jan. 1 outdoor Winter Classic game in Chicago, the league has partnered with Miner Family Vineyards, an upscale Napa winery, to produce a limited-edition red wine as a keepsake for the game. Bottles were spotted on shelves in Chicago liquor stores for about $30 a bottle. The proceeds will go to charity.
On its face, hockey wine seems a bit like opera beer. After all, watching a player pull his opponent’s jersey over his head so he can throttle him blindly doesn’t exactly seem like a Merlot-sipping occasion. But the league’s VP-consumer products marketing, Jim Haskins, said the league’s fan base is more of a wine-drinking crowd than the sport’s blue-collar stereotype suggests.
read on and buy the WC wine here along with other NHL featured wines.
Filed in: Hockey Related Stories | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Going For A Stroll On The Wrlgley Ice
by Paul on 12/31/08 at 10:16 AM ET
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from Tom Gromak of the Detroit News,
I was amazed as we emerged from the visitors’ dugout onto the ‘Frozen Confines’ of Wrigley Field. There it stood: A full-sized regulation NHL hockey rink. Oh, sure, some glass was still missing as crews worked to finish it up. But it had the key components: Boards, benches, blue lines and goalie creases—and a fresh, two-inch-thick sheet of ice….
“Please, God, don’t let me fall,” I prayed as a co-worker stood rinkside with a digital camcorder to record me for posterity (and the accompanying video).
I started slowly, but I didn’t fall. And I continued to not fall, slowly gaining confidence on blades I hadn’t worn in at least eight years. I even survived the halfway point when—to my initial dismay—we had to switch from counterclockwise skating to clockwise. “But I was getting good at this direction,” I protested.
Filed in: Hockey Related Stories | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Big Game For The NHL
by Paul on 12/30/08 at 10:20 PM ET
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from Richard Sandomir of the New York Times,
This isn’t quaint anymore. The league believes the Classic — a regular-season game played outdoors every New Year’s Day — will be a long-term annual event that separates hockey from other sports; it projects the game as a midseason ritual for its fans to root nationally, not for their local teams. Already, there is demand for future games in Philadelphia, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal and Boston…
“This is part of our new business model and gives people a sense of what we can do,” said John Collins, the league’s chief operating officer. “We introduced our Broadband player, we reintroduced NHL.com. We have 53 million fans who love the game, 22 million in the arenas and a $2.6 billion business. But it doesn’t feel as big as it should.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
A Spin On The Ice At Wrigley
by Paul on 12/30/08 at 04:14 PM ET
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from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,
Wonky knee aside, it was a thrill to hit the ice at Wrigley Field. Sure, I got a few looks for wearing a Finnish national jersey (no reason whatsoever for that, by the way); but all in all, it was a great experience.
The NHL wouldn’t allow us to hold hockey sticks or shoot pucks, understandably, but just taking a whirl around the newly built ice surface was something else. The sun was peering over home plate and the conditions were ideal. The league can only hope for similar conditions Thursday for the Winter Classic (so far, the forecast sounds pretty good).
The sun, however, could prove to be an issue. You really blinked when you made the turn at the third-base end and the sun blinded you somewhat. Some players wore eye black last season in Buffalo, and we suspect much of the same again Thursday. Tinted visors, perhaps?
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
NHL Network Schedule For Winter Classic Related Shows
by Paul on 12/30/08 at 03:45 PM ET
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Wednesday, December 31st. All times are ET.
11:30 AM- NHL Network Presents: Bridgestone Winter Classic 2009 Practice Coverage
Thursday, January 1st
11:00 AM- NHL Network Presents: Bridgestone Winter Classic 2009 Pre-Game Show
5:00 PM- NHL Network Presents: Bridgestone Winter Classic 2009 Post-Game Show
6:00 PM- Voices: Detroit’s Ken Kal
6:30 PM- Voices: Chicago’s Pat Foley
The complete schedule for the NHL Network (US) can be found here and for Canadian viewers, click here.
added 5:00pm, I just received this and as you can the times differ a bit…
Wednesday, Dec. 31
· Practice Coverage at 11:30 a.m. ET
Thursday, Jan. 1
· Pre-Game Show at 11 a.m. ET
· Post-Game Show at 4:30 p.m. ET
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Wings Looking Forward To The Winter Classic
by Paul on 12/30/08 at 03:01 PM ET
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from Bob Duff at Duffer’s Dabbles,
Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock believes the National Hockey League has struck gold with its decision to put the Wings against the Chicago Blackhawks in Wednesday’s Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
“The Winter Classic is a fantastic stage in a fantastic city that has a marketing opportunity for our league that is second to none,” said Babcock, whose Wings play host to Chicago Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena. “I’m not trying to take anything away from where it’s been before, but nationally, in the U.S., this has the chance to be a really nice draw and I hope that both teams live up to the opportunity that’s here.”
continued and probably the most thorough Wings side of the story regarding the WC.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Talking With Eddie ‘O”
by Paul on 12/30/08 at 10:18 AM ET
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I had the pleasure of talking with Eddie Olczyk this morning and discussed Wings/Blackhawks. Eddie will be providiing the color for the Winter Classic on NBC which starts at 1:00pm ET on January 1st.
If you wish to download the audio, just click here.
NEW YORK (December 30, 2008) – The National Hockey League (NHL) announced today that it will honor seven Chicago sports legends during a special on-field ceremony prior to the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Wrigley Field. The salute to the sports legends, all of them Hall of Famers in their respective sports, will open the outdoor game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings (1 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, RDS, NHL Radio, XM Radio).
The Hall of Fame legends scheduled to appear include former Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg, former Cubs pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, former Cubs outfielder Billy Williams and Blackhawks greats Bobby Hull, Tony Esposito, Stan Mikita and Denis Savard.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Let’s Play Hockey
by Paul on 12/30/08 at 09:26 AM ET
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from Darren Pang at PhoenixCoyotes.com,
Several years back, I was up in the scoreboard and my duty was to change the score as the Cubs were struggling. I had to place the old tin numbers in the right spot. It was hot and muggy. It was so cool to be up there. What an experience that was.
On Jan. 1, I will see the first NHL game played at Wrigley and I can’t wait. No need for anyone up in that old scoreboard.
The Wings vs. the Hawks. The defending Champs vs. the Contender, a real legitimate contender.
Datsyuk and Zetterberg against Kane and Toews.
Outdoors. Let the temperature drop and let the game begin!
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Hello, The Wings Are Playing Too!
by Paul on 12/30/08 at 07:42 AM ET
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from SnapShots at Mlive,
I can only promise you two things over the next 72-or-so hours:
1. I can’t say that I’ll find every mainstream media story written about the Winter Classic II, but I’ll sure as hell try.
2. This ain’t no stinking commercial for the Chicago Blackhawks. The NHL and the Blackhawks clearly planned on “selling” the game as a statement for the resurgence of the Hawks’ franchise, and Burnside’s interview with Hawks president John McDonough and the Blackhawks website’s coverage of the preparations (including the “de-stressing” of Wrigley’s ice) indicate as much.
A clip from NBC Chicago captures an unnamed NHL employee describing the game at hand thusly: “This year we’ve got the resurgent Hawks, which are just a fantastic story…In the world of sports, for that matter, and they’re playing their arch rival, the defending Stanley Cup champions, and it’s really shaping up to be a fierce, fierce day of hockey.”
Note that the Red Wings weren’t even mentioned by name. That’s how it’s shaping up.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Craig Hoping For Perfect Weather For The Winter Classic
by Paul on 12/29/08 at 04:23 PM ET
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from the CP via TSN,
The challenge for Dan Craig, the NHL’s facilities operations manager in charge of putting down the rink and creating the ice, is to make sure the playing surface at the home of the Chicago Cubs is of NHL-calibre.
‘‘What they’re going to feel underneath their feet skating will be as close to what they have for an NHL facility and that’s going to depend on the day outside,’’ Craig said….
‘We’re hoping for (-3 C) weather and then our machines just sit there in cruise because the temperature we want on the surface is (-6 C),’’ Craig said.
Inclement weather is a test for both the players and the ice. And it was a factor in last year’s game when it snowed during the game between the Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Remember you can watch as Wrigley Field gets transformed into a hockey rink. The lines are painted and the Winter Classic logo is in place at center ice.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Catch The Winter Classic Live On Your Verizon Cell Phone
by Paul on 12/29/08 at 10:06 AM ET
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BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW YORK, Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/—NHL fans who don’t want to miss a single shift of the upcoming Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic(TM) 2009 on New Year’s Day can tune into the game on their wireless phones with V CAST Video from Verizon Wireless, the two companies announced today.
The Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009 is the first time a major league sporting event in the United States will be shown as it happens on V CAST Video. Last year, the NHL Winter Classic, held in Buffalo, N.Y., was attended by more than 71,000 fans and millions more watched on national television across North America.
Customers with select V CAST-enabled phones can check out V CAST whenever they want for just $3.00 for 24-hour use or by signing up for the $15.00 V CAST VPak monthly subscription.
Check out Verizon Wireless for the V CAST package.
Filed in: NHL Media, NHL Video | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Like Watching Paint Dry On Ice?
by Paul on 12/28/08 at 07:01 PM ET
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If you hurry, you can watch the Winter Classic ice crew painting the ice at Wrigley. White is going down now and next would be the ice markings, including blueline, redline, etc.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Weather Fluctuation Won’t Stop Dan Craig
by Paul on 12/27/08 at 08:36 PM ET
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from Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune,
Preparations for the final touches of the Winter Classic hockey rink were put on hold Saturday because of heavy rain, high wind and a tornado watch in Cook County.
In a matter of a few days, Wrigley Field went from sub-zero to semi-tropical, relatively speaking, forcing a brief delay in the painting of the ice surface. But an NHL spokesman said the ice should be painted Sunday, when the temperature is expected to drop from the upper 50s to the low 30s, and the rain is expected to subside.
“We’ll go out there with the Zamboni and give it a nice little shave, be ready to paint it white [Sunday] morning,” said Dan Craig, the NHL’s facilities/operations manager. “Everything is on schedule from our side, and we’re ready to go.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Too Much Winter Classic Hype
by Paul on 12/27/08 at 07:41 PM ET
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from Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune,
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything like the buildup for the Winter Classic, the outdoor game between the Hawks and the Red Wings to be played on New Year’s Day. I understand the goose-bump factor here: It’s very cool for an NHL game to be played in the elements and even cooler for it to be played in one of the cathedrals of baseball.
But, my goodness. You would think the pope were coming to Wrigley to announce his conversion to Scientology.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Wings Need To Keep Their Head Down At Wrigley
by Paul on 12/23/08 at 01:31 PM ET
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from Hey, Missy at the Chicago Tribune,
In particular, the Red Wings will have to navigate a particularly steep and narrow set of about 15 steps down from the tiny visitors clubhouse and make one of the longest walks in baseball to the dugout and then out to the rink. Three times. For the last portion before getting to the dugout, anyone over six feet (and with skates on, that pretty much applies to everyone), they also have to be careful not to bump their heads.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Winter Classic Rink Update
by Paul on 12/19/08 at 07:26 PM ET
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Well the benches, penalty box, scorers table and broadcast facilities (left and right center field wall) are up.
Dan Craig hopes to have about an inch to an inch and a half of ice ready by Monday.
Wrigley is starting to look like a hockey rink. Watch a 15 minute delayed stream here....
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
That’s What You Get When You Drive A Foreign Zamboni
by Paul on 12/19/08 at 08:25 AM ET
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The Zamboni’s arrived at the Winter Classic, at least one survived.
No truth the UAW sabotaged the ramp!
Thanks to readers who sent me the link and looking around the web, looks like the video originated at Going Five Hole.
Filed in: Hockey Related Stories | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
All Patrick Kane
by Paul on 12/18/08 at 03:24 PM ET
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Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks took part in an NHL tele-conference today.
Q. Just wondering if you had been to any outside rinks to acclimatize yourself for January 1st at Wrigley.
PATRICK KANE: No, I haven’t seen any rinks around here, but you know, that day, it’s just throw it up in the air what the weather is going to be like. You don’t really know. You don’t really know what you want as a player, either.
I guess you want it to be a little cold so the ice is better and all of the ice complications are worked out. But at the same time, you don’t want it to be too windy where the wind is blowing in your face the whole game.
I’m sure it will be a cold day, but a fun day overall, so looking forward to it.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Patrick+Kane, Winter+Classic,
Build It And They Will Come
by Paul on 12/18/08 at 01:05 PM ET
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The boards are going up at Wrigley!!!
Watch now... and maybe bookmark the site to follow the progress. I am waiting for someone to bury an octopus at center ice.
Filed in: NHL Media, NHL Video | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Prices For Rooftop Tickets To Winter Classic Are Falling
by Paul on 12/17/08 at 06:51 PM ET
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from Fran Spielman of the Chicago Sun-Times,
Last month, rooftop owner Tom Gramatis told the Chicago Sun-Times that demand for rooftop tickets to the Winter Classic was “the biggest thing ever — bigger than any Cubs game” when the event was announced last summer.
But Gramatis said “the buzz” died down when the economy went south and the stock market tanked. That forced him to cut his price in half— from $400 a head to $200, including food and drink.
“There were rooftops asking $750 a head [at one time]. Some are still at $500. They’re smoking a crack pipe. They’re not gonna get it. The economy sucks. It’s also Jan. 1 at noon — not an ideal time for somebody to wake up and go to a hockey game after New Year’s Eve,” Gramatis said.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Working On The Rink
by Paul on 12/17/08 at 11:26 AM ET
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Watch (15 minute delay) as the Winter Classic rink gets built at Wrigley Field.
update 11:50am, Well, I just took a look at the webcast, and now getting a message ‘this video cannot be embedded in websites.” Then why did they give us an embed code is my question.
I am going to leave it up for a bit, just in case they decide to change their minds. In the meantime, you can watch it here.
update 7:52pm, the embedded video is working again, so you can view it here on KK.
Filed in: NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Winter Classic 2008 Popular in HD Sports
by Alanah McGinley on 12/15/08 at 05:03 PM ET
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On the Electronic House list of the Top 10 Sports HD Broadcasts of 2008, the Winter Classic came in at #2:
As if the hockey gods had scheduled it, there was snow during the game—how perfect! And the icing on the cake? It came down to a shootout, and a goal by one of the best players in the NHL, Sidney Crosby. It all made for incredible HD video from NBC, not to mention the audio of players being checked into the boards and hearing the old-time organ through my surround speakers.
The whole slideshow of the Top 10 can be seen here.
_________________________
*my twitter thing can be very handy at times, which is how I owe a hat-tip to Michael DiLorenzo for tweeting this link. Thanks!
Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: hdtv, media, winter+classic,
Laying The Ice For The Winter Classic
by Paul on 12/14/08 at 09:13 AM ET
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from Mike Spellman of the Chicago Daily-Herald,
The trucks carrying all the equipment for the next Winter Classic are scheduled to arrive in Chicago this week. A crew of a couple dozen will unload and assemble the boards for a couple of days, clearing the way for Craig and Company to build 1 to 11/2 inches of ice before a short Christmas break. When they return, if everything goes according to plan, all that will be left to do is spruce things up and paint the ice. Even with a warmer-than-normal Christmas Day forecast, the refrigeration system can get the job done.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “You know that it’s coming and you try to prepare yourself for it, but then when everyone gets there, it’s an unbelievable feeling to see so many people enjoying such a great event.”
But Craig realizes there’s no celebrating until he gets that ice just right, which can be a tricky proposition.
“Natural ice freezes from the top down. Artificial ice freezes from the bottom up,” he said. “We want to make sure that you can’t have the top freeze before the bottom freezes.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dan+Craig, Winter+Classic,
A Tour of Wrigley Field for the Classic
by Alanah McGinley on 12/12/08 at 12:49 PM ET
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From Dan Rosen at NHL.com:
The 200-by-85-foot rink will be situated between first and third base.
The center-ice faceoff dot will measure exactly 112 feet from home plate and 288 feet from the center field wall. The penalty boxes will be precisely 9 feet behind the pitcher’s mound.
Behind the team benches will be a 60-by-56-foot auxiliary rink constructed over the outfield grass. It will be used during the game by the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois. To the left and right of the auxiliary rink will be team logos that measure 40 feet long and 40 feet wide. Also draped on the outfield grass will be American and Canadian flags that measure 90-by-45-feet.
Update 1:28pm ET: The Hockey Show has more on the video below—
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Hockey Related Stories | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: chicago, winter+classic, wrigley+field,
You Have To Watch The Winter Classic
by Paul on 12/11/08 at 04:51 PM ET
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Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Mobile Unit Heads To Wrigley
by Paul on 12/10/08 at 11:10 PM ET
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The NHL’s mobile cooling unit departs Mobile, Alabama enroute to Wrigley Field, the home of the 2009 Winter Classic.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, NHL Media, NHL Video | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
What To Do Red Wings/Spartans Fans
by Paul on 12/08/08 at 01:58 PM ET
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Michigan State will be playing Georgia in the Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2009 at 1pm on ABC. The Wings play the Blackhawks on the same day in the Winter Classic, game time is 1pm on NBC.
What game will you watch live and what game goes to the DVR?
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Find The Logo
by Paul on 12/08/08 at 09:35 AM ET
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Canton, MA / New York, NY (December 8, 2008) – In celebration of one of the National Hockey League’s most anticipated events – the NHL Winter Classic 2009 – Reebok is offering fans an unprecedented experience through “NHL Winter Classic Reebok Lost Logo Challenge,” a unique contest for both U.S. television viewers and in-stadium attendees that challenges fans to find the NHL player who is missing the Reebok logo from his jersey.
On New Year’s Day, 2009, Reebok will give each of the more than 40,000 fans who attend the NHL Winter Classic game between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field a pair of binoculars to find the NHL player on the ice without a Reebok logo. Fans in the stands and those watching on television will have a chance to win. In-stadium contestants will be asked to enter via text or phone, while those tuning in on television will be able to enter online.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Winter Classic Is A Publicity Stunt
by Paul on 12/08/08 at 08:58 AM ET
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from Lewis Lazare of the Chicago Sun-Times,
It’s a good thing Wrigley Field is sold out for the so-called “Winter Classic” hockey match on New Year’s Day because the new television commercial from Young & Rubicam/New York intended to spark interest in the game between the Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings doesn’t spark much of anything except a big ho-hum. Hockey fans already have snapped up about 41,000 tickets to the game—which in truth is a publicity stunt more than anything else.
In case you have not seen the television commercial, you can view it here.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Rooftops May Be Available For Winter Classic
by Paul on 12/02/08 at 08:15 AM ET
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from Fran Spielman of the Chicago Sun-Times,
Frigid fans jamming Wrigley Field won’t be the only ones cheering when the Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings on New Year’s Day for the NHL’s second Winter Classic.
They’ll be shouting from the rooftops, as well….
“It’s a fierce rivalry. Interest is very high and ticket prices are very high. There’s an opportunity for the rooftops to do some business,” said Tunney, who has introduced an ordinance authorizing rooftop clubs currently limited to Cubs home games to be open Jan. 1.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Winter Classic TV Spot
by Paul on 12/01/08 at 11:46 AM ET
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For more on the TV commercial, visit this post from earlier today.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Canadians Will Have Access To Winter Classic Tickets
by Paul on 11/07/08 at 08:55 PM ET
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NEW YORK (November 7, 2008) – Hockey fans in Canada beginning next week will be able to enter an online promotion for an opportunity to purchase tickets to NHL Winter ClassicTM 2009, the National Hockey League (NHL) announced today. Details will be released next week.
The online promotion for Canadian residents will determine who will have an opportunity to purchase some of the limited number of public tickets to the January 1 game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field.
There was an issue brought up today which did not allow Canadian hockey fans to purchase tickets. The NHL realized it and reacted quickly.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
What Else Could They Do
by Paul on 11/05/08 at 05:47 PM ET
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from Brian Hamacher of NHL Blog at the NY Post,
I’ve spent the past few days trying to figure out a way to be unhappy with the way the NHL is handling ticket sales for the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago on New Year’s Day. As much as I generally disagree with much if not most of what Gary Bettman and his NHL crew do, I hate to say it but they got it right this time.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Winter Classic Ticket Info
by Alanah McGinley on 11/03/08 at 03:19 PM ET
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NEW YORK/CHICAGO (November 3, 2008) – The National Hockey League (NHL) and the Chicago Blackhawks today jointly announced ticket information for NHL Winter ClassicTM 2009. Similar to last year’s inaugural NHL Winter Classic in Buffalo, the event’s home team season ticketholder base (Chicago Blackhawks) as well as NHL Winter Classic partners will have the right to purchase tickets for the event during the initial on-sale phase.
A general public random drawing will be held to determine who will have an opportunity to purchase the remaining tickets with a limited number of tickets set aside for the community ticket initiative described below. Fan registration for the random drawing will be conducted through the Chicago Blackhawks’ official website beginning on or about Noon ET/11 a.m. CT, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, through on or about 11:59 a.m. ET/10:59 a.m. CT, Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: winter+classic,
Winter Classic Ticket Update
by Paul on 10/28/08 at 04:54 PM ET
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via Chris Kuc of Icing at the Chicago Tribune,
The NHL and the Blackhawks will release ticket information to Hawks season ticket-holders Tuesday afternoon regarding the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Wrigley Field.
There are three price ranges for tickets: $75, $225 and $325.
On Monday, the NHL will announce more information regarding ticket sales to non-season ticket-holders.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Winter Classic Sweaters
by Paul on 10/25/08 at 09:03 PM ET
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The Winter Classic jerseys are now available. Here’s the Blackhawks sweater:
Update 9:24pm ET (Alanah): And now here’s the Wings jersey for the event:
added 10:57am on 10/29/08, If you are interested in purchasing these sweaters, they can be found here.
Full press release below.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: jerseys, winter+classic,
Craig Ready For The Job
by Paul on 10/23/08 at 12:27 PM ET
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from NHL Media via the Chicago Blackhawks,
Dan Craig isn’t pumped up just yet, but as the man in charge of every inch of ice in the NHL, he already has more than just a few things on his plate to temper any brewing enthusiasm for the upcoming Winter Classic.
Come Thanksgiving, Craig expects to be overcome by anticipation.
“I want to see it,” Craig, the League’s Facilities Operations Manager, told NHL.com. “I want to feel it. I want to see the players enjoy it and for all of us to put on a good show for TV and the people that are in the stadium.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
New Traditions
by Alanah McGinley on 07/22/08 at 02:42 PM ET
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From the Detroit Free Press:
Representatives from the National Hockey League, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Detroit Red Wings and the National Hockey Players’ Association gathered this morning atop the third-base dugout of Wrigley Field, the Cubs’ historic home, to talk about the upcoming NHL Winter Classic 2009. They were joined by Blackhawks Hall of Famers Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito, along with the exciting young Chicago forward tandem of Pat Kane and Jonathan Toews.
The 701st all-time meeting of the clubs – no NHL opponents have played more regular-season games against each other – will begin at the memorably unique venue at 1 p.m. on Jan. 1.
“The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “We thank Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough for their vision. We thank Mike Ilitch and the Red Wings for their cooperation. We also thank the entire Cubs organization and Mayor Daley, in advance, for the warm welcome we know the City of Chicago will extend to our newest tradition.”
Update 3:15pm ET: NHL.com was featuring a photo of Wrigley Field on their front page this afternoon, giving an idea of the ice placement. I’ve added it below.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: gary+bettman, winter+classic,
Yankee Stadium for 2010?
by Alanah McGinley on 07/22/08 at 01:07 PM ET
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From Stan Fischler at Game On,
While Yankee Stadium would appear to be a sure thing for the NHL’s 2010 outdoor game, much will depend on how well the 2009 Wrigley Field (Chicago-Detroit) Classic draws at the gate and on TV. Another hang-up could be negotiations with the Yankees over use of their new ballpark because it won’t be cheap.
Another battle will be over choice of the Rangers’ opponent. Guaranteed, the Islanders and Devils will fight hard to get into the act.
read on for notes on news all around the NHL
Filed in: NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: the+maven, winter+classic, yankee+stadium,
Winter Classic II Tickets
by Paul on 07/18/08 at 08:22 AM ET
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I have received numerous emails asking how to get tickets for the Winter Classic in Chicago.
The Blackhawks have set up a faq section on their website…
Will single-game tickets be offered to the general public?
No information has been released by the NHL with regard to single-game tickets at this time. The only way to currently guarantee a spot at the Winter Classic is to become a Blackhawks full season ticketholder (while supplies last). Stay tuned to chicagoblackhawks.com or sign up for email alerts…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Answers Needed Quickly On Outdoor Game
by Paul on 05/24/08 at 07:51 AM ET
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from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
The prospect of holding the NHL Winter Classic at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 1, 2009 is in the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Yankees New York Yankees attempting to convince the city that a pair of major concerns can be overcome so the Rangers New York Rangers can play an outdoor game in The Bronx before the World’s Most Famous Stadium closes its doors.
“We’re negotiating with the city on two issues that need to be resolved within the next few days in order for us to be able to go forward with the NHL,” Yankees’ COO Lonn Trost told The Post last night. “We want to have the game here and the NHL wants to have the game here, so now it’s a matter of us settling these concerns.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: winter+classic,
Sabres Want Your Stories
by Alanah McGinley on 05/22/08 at 02:40 PM ET
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From the Buffalo Sabres:
It was a day that many people will never forget. And now the Buffalo Sabres want to find out why it was so special to you.
As the summer months roll on, the Sabres are producing a DVD to commemorate last January’s Winter Classic. The New Year’s Day match-up featured the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins playing outdoors in front of a capacity crowd of more than 71,000 hearty fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.
A featured section of that DVD will be “My Classic Stories,” a collection of fan stories from the day told by the actual individuals who experienced them. The six most compelling entries, as chosen by Sabres staff, will be videotaped by Sabres production crew and used in the Winter Classic DVD that will be released prior to the start of the 2008-09 season.
Enteries must be received by June 20th. More information below.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Buffalo Sabres | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: hockey+fans, media, winter+classic,
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