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Leafs Rock Planet
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
 Posted - 01/01/2008 : 13:51:33
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Poll Question:
The NHL Winter Classic has come and gone with Pittsburgh coming out on top over Buffalo. After watching the game and the entire event unfold, do you think this idea of the NHL's was a success?
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Edited by - Leafs Rock Planet on 01/01/2008 13:52:39
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Ottawa Oilers
Rookie
150 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 13:55:04
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| To me it was a hockey game to watch, To the folks of Buffalo it was a great experience. So if it comes to Edmonton, Hell Yea! If it is somewhere else I'll watch it but it will just be another hockey game. |
Edited by - Ottawa Oilers on 01/01/2008 13:55:56 |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 14:33:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Ottawa Oilers
To me it was a hockey game to watch, To the folks of Buffalo it was a great experience. So if it comes to Edmonton, Hell Yea! If it is somewhere else I'll watch it but it will just be another hockey game.
What do you mean if it comes to Edmonton?? Do you not remember the Heritage Classic?? It was in November of 03. The first ever outdoor NHL game in Edmonton. Not only was temperature like -18 celsius, the wind was blowing, pushing it below -30 celcius after the sun went down. Considering they had over 58,000 fans in Commonwealth Stadium, it was a huge success. Granted, there were more fans today, but the population in that area is much higher than around Edmonton.
It was and will be the only time you will ever see Wayne Gretzky play after his retirement. All the old Oilers came out (Messier, who was still playing, Gretzky, Anderson, Coffey, Fuhr, Kurri) and they played against a group of former Canadians. In the "Old Timer's Game" there was a total of 166 Stanley Cup Rings on the ice. Following that, it was the current Oilers against the Current Habs. I'll never forget the picture of Theodore wearing that goofy toque over his helmet.
This "NHL Winter Classic" was a great game and a good production. A little to Americanized for me, but none the less, it was great for the game. I don't think it matches Edmonton due the to former superstars that were involved in Edmonton. And I also think the NHL needs to be careful not to over use this spectical. I think the magic would wear on it if there was one game a year outside.
I do think, however, a Montreal vs. Toronto outdoor game would be magic. Something else that would be amazing is a game in Ottawa on the Rideau Cannal. Those are the only two areas I'd like to see another outdoor game. And not for a few years.
Wayne or Bobby?? How about both!!! |
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Ottawa Oilers
Rookie
150 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 14:40:46
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I typed it wrong I should have said "If it comes again" rather than "If it does". But yes I do remember the Heritage Classic, Best moment of my life.
"Forget about style, Worry about results"
-Bobby Orr |
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irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 15:34:42
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I'd like to see another game like this. Perhaps an All-Star Game outdoors would be neat.
But, I'd also like to see them play in an area where no NHL teams are. Such as the Maritimes. :P
Irvine |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 15:59:33
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| I thought the whole presentation was a blast. Absolutely awesome rendition of God Bless America. Best I have ever heard. My only bone of contention here is that four F-22 Raptors in full afterburner mode would have been a little more scintillating than those choppers but what the heck, can't have everything. I tried to get tickets to the game but they were sold out and after actually watching it, I am really sorry I wasn't there. I have heard or read somewhere there are tentative plans for the next one to be in Detroit? Anyone one else privy to this information? |
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I HATE CROSBY
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
538 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 17:17:49
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I think it is fun!!! But no more Penguins!
The only thing that needs to change is the "Winter CLASSIC" name...CLASSIC? it's the first one.
And it was such a joke listening to all the whining about the ice, and the snow on the ice...When you play minor hockey, or have a practice, the ice is usually clothed in snow by the end! And after all, a lot of these guys have played hockey outside before, probably in conditions just as rough....They are just spoiled! I like bringing back to the old school.
Sugar Ray over Hasek any day! |
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Patchy
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
529 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 20:25:59
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It was a fun game to watch, too bad it wasn't a higher scoring game but still, i enjoyed watching it. An outdoor game I would love to see, Habs vs. Leafs, in Montreal. That would be insane! But yeah a little less time fixing the ice, a little more time playing the good old hockey game. 
~~Go Leafs Go~~ |
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PainTrain
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1393 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 20:59:53
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| I was hoping that Peters and Laraque were going to fight. Imagine that, a big fight in front of over 70,000 people. Regardless it was a fun game to watch. It went to a shoot out which is pretty cool. I like watching that and they should have at least one of those a year. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2008 : 09:02:05
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I heard a rumor that the NHL is looking to do this again next year, maybe two games. I think if NHL does this too often, it will lose it's appeal.
The Cities I heard as possible venues are Detroit, Montreal and Colorado. I think that if Colorado did something as say a ski resort and built a rink in the Mountains somewhere it would be amazing. A lot few fans, so the NHL wouldn't do it, but that would be "Pond Hockey" at it's finest.
Wayne or Bobby?? How about both!!! |
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Guest6406
( )
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Posted - 01/02/2008 : 09:34:05
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| The "Winter Classic" wasnt to promote hockey to the US. It was a huge money grab and they succeded. The game was boring to watch it took longer then a MLB game and i turned off the tv and did something else thats how bad i thought it was. If they deo it again i agree with an earlier post put it on a river or something cool like that make it an actual pond game. |
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shinnyafterschool
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
375 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2008 : 11:33:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
I heard a rumor that the NHL is looking to do this again next year, maybe two games. I think if NHL does this too often, it will lose it's appeal.
Wayne or Bobby?? How about both!!!
My Thoughts exactly. If this becomes annual it loses its magic. For this to happen every 3-5 years would be enough for me, and I'm sure for most fans.. |
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irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2008 : 13:53:33
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quote:
Originally posted by shinnyafterschool
quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
I heard a rumor that the NHL is looking to do this again next year, maybe two games. I think if NHL does this too often, it will lose it's appeal.
Wayne or Bobby?? How about both!!!
My Thoughts exactly. If this becomes annual it loses its magic. For this to happen every 3-5 years would be enough for me, and I'm sure for most fans..
I agree.
I'd also like to see it played on an unmaintained pond. Bumps and all! Of course, not a game for actual points. But an All-Star game or an exhibition game.
Irvine |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2008 : 19:59:01
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| I think if there were bumps and other problems with the ice then the GM's would veto it because of possible injuries to the players. The ice in Buffalo would have been better and the delays shorter if the weather had of been good. It was certainly a factor and could you imagine if one of the better players had seriously pulled a groin because of a rut in the ice? Then you would have heard some complaining about the outdoor games. What if Sid had got hurt? Bob McCowan was saying that the games should be something like once every four years in order to keep it special. He figures every year and the novel will wear off. I think I agree with him. This one was fantastic and I can see more in the future but lets not over do it to the point they become common place. So many things can go wrong especially weather wise and so far we have been lucky. I thought the only thing lacking was a few more goals. Can't have it all, I guess? |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 05:52:40
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I like the all star game idea...
[IMG]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/PuckNuts_photos/WinterClassic.jpg[/IMG]
Of coarse you know that this means war!
- - Bugs Bunny
http://www.maldesigns.ca/top50since1967.htm
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SJSharks
Top Prospect
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 23:49:50
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I likedit a lot, and would love to see it again!!!
Thanks for the great season Sharks! May'be next year. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2008 : 07:50:15
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I believe that it was Craig Simpson talking about this. He brought up a great idea. Why not have the All-Star game as an outdoor game?? It would bring excitement to a game that really isn't popular outside of the hockey world and Ice and/or weather conditions wouldn't matter as it's a game without any impact from the outcome. There is also very little hitting. The only thing would be if the conditions were at a point where players might get hurt.
I'd love to see the all star game outdoors.
Wayne or Bobby?? How about both!!! |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2008 : 12:12:52
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I agree with the suggestion of having it every year as the All-Star game . . . but of course, that would mean no more all-star games in the south, and more all-star games in the hockey hotbeds of northern US and Canada.
win-win! 
I like the outdoor thing, and I think if it turned into a once a year thing, it would still be great. |
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hockster
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
437 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2008 : 18:40:43
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Should Be done Yearly
Its Great! |
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2008 NHL Winter Classic 
