Preview: The Winter Classic

Alright people, I said I'd do this, so let's get it underway.



A LOOK BACK

Last year, on January 1st (ooof: it's still the same year, technically)...

Last season, on January 1st, the NHL held its first ever outdoor game on United States soil.

Notice how I said "NHL" and "United States". That's because this and this happened. It was a good way to use "first" while still being truthful.

But back to business.

Last year was a pretty big deal. The game featured the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins facing off at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the home of the NFL's Buffalo Bills. It was like every player's dream come true. Most of them who had grown up in the northern U.S. or Canada had a backyard rink when they were younger, and it had been a while since they played a game outside.



The stuff you want is somewhere in there. And the first goalie featured, Ryan Miller, got to be in this awesome commercial, considering Amp Energy Drinks was sponsoring the event.



But back to the thing. It was a big deal, blah blah blah, the Penguins won 2-1 in a shootout because Sidney Crosby felt like scoring the game winning goal. It snowed to create the perfect atmosphere, and 71,217 people showed up to set an NHL attendance record. It also garnered some solid television ratings. In other words, people cared about the NHL. Throw a party. Heck, invite Canada too.







A LOOK NOW

Considering the success of last year's event, tough guy (and part time NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman felt like it might be a good idea to do it again.





And I can't take credit for that picture. The rest of them are here. Good stuff.

But seriously, last season's went pretty well. And while the 2008 edition was used to showcase NHL poster boy Sidney Crosby, they took what was (in my opinion) a better road in 2009 by instead using a great NHL rivalry-Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks. I could rant about how great it is that they chose an Original Six matchup, but it would be a waste of time. Of course, one could also argue that Bettman is trying to showcase the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. However, I have less of a problem with this; at least it's focusing on the team in place of one player. Hey, Sid the Kid said it himself-play for the logo on the front, not the name on the back. And he also did this, after his team lost to the Red Wings in 6 games during the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals.

Oh, and they came up with some old-school jerseys for the occasion.




Oh, and since I was smart enough to remember to say it, this year's game will be held at Wrigley Field in Chicago.










But seriously, this is a much nicer matchup than Sidney Crosby vs. a Buffalo Sabres team that had almost no identity whatsoever. If they were a group of big bad bruisers, it would've been cool. But no, they were just...the Sabres. And that logo looks like Donald Trump's hair.















But this year is better. The Detroit Red Wings are experienced, skilled, and, uhhh...well-coached. Seriously, though, they're really good. And they have some random goalie who has experience with this stuff. The Chicago Blackhawks show up at the other end of the spectrum: they have plenty of speed and talent, and the youth movement has really taken over and excelled. The franchise is flourishing. It happens when you're bad for long enough: all of those high draft picks you get eventually work out. Unless you're the NFL's Detroit Lions.

PREDICTIONS

It'll be a hit. It better be. The league needs this to be successful. While the date is set for January 1st, remember it is an outdoor game, so weather could cause delays. Hopefully nothing happens though.

And remember, while it may not snow, let's at least hope for a little chocolate rain.



-brett