Though New Year's Day is Bowl Obsession Day for me, I found this game really compelling. It's the best thing the NHL has put out in several years (probably since the Rangers won the cup) and featuring it on this day on NBC was the best decision they've made in a decade. They should do this half a dozen times a year or more and televise all of them. 73,000 fans in snow and sleet? It was great. The players were pumped like it was a playoff game. Reminded me of my days growing up in Buffalo - playing hockey and all other sports in the snow and cold and ice. Just fantastic stuff! And, I've sat through a few blizzards in that stadium as well! Anyone else watch this with interest?
I have NEVER watched a hockey game in my life.....let alone a few minutes of one.... i sat through this entire thing, jeered loudly after a goal, and hit into the wall.....NHL literally got a new fan in me, because of that game today in the elements in Buffalo....AWESOME experience!!!!!!!
It was an "event," more than a hockey game. Crosby scoring the goal in a shootout probably was the best thing that Bettman could've asked for. Though the game lacked flow because of the elements and the one patch of ice. The game sold out in like 10 minutes. Though I wonder why Bettman didn't want to put it on the week between the Conference Championship games and the SB. My guess is that it becomes a yearly thing. The hockey really wasn't that good because guys couldn't do anything with the snow on the ice. Hockey is buried on Vs; it should be on ESPN. I also hated the NBC announcers, though I got to watch on CBC so it didn't matter.
Here it is on Youtube. (Winter Classic NHL Hockey Game Pittsburgh VS Buffalo Part 1) [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj0e1hkii30[/ame]
(Winter Classic NHL Hockey Game Pittsburgh VS Buffalo Part 2) [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFjdDquIit8[/ame]
(Winter Classic NHL Hockey Game Pittsburgh VS Buffalo Part 3) [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BK51QQu4-A&feature=related[/ame]