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Post by Snickers on Jan 1, 2008 20:42:39 GMT -5
Did anyone else out there see the outdoor game from Buffalo today? If so, I'd like your opinions.
Upon learning of this game, my 1st thought was 'Buffalo, in January?'. The NHL could not have picked a worse city to do this. Dumb!!! Secondly, why did they pick Bob Costas & Mike Milbury for this game? Costas is no hockey man and Milbury? Come on, NBC, you can do better than that! I do give them points for Emrick/Olcyk/Pang. At least we didn't have to endure the torture of Pierre McGuire & Brett Hull. Emrick tries to make every play sound like the greatest in hockey history. Loved the throwback jerseys, especially the Pens. Again, not the brightest idea having the game in Buffalo-----
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sjradio
Full Member
No More Spongebob at Van Andel!!!
Posts: 312
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Post by sjradio on Jan 1, 2008 23:12:15 GMT -5
Agreed on Buffalo in January,
Many of the venues for these events would need almost three weeks to pull off, set up, event and then removal. I doubt you'll find any NFL team willing to be the road team for that long of a time. You also have to consider that the team that plays there, What if the Bills made the playoffs and hosted a game? You would really have a huge problem for that game.
Weather is obviously a concern for these events. Buffalo is a lake effect snow magnet, it snows more days than it doesn't during the winter. Why Buffalo again.
The southern teams are pretty much out of the picture for these events, too warm and the sunlight isn't really good for good ice conditions. Plus, it's hard to have a "heritage or winter" classic with palm trees in the background.
Now, here's a list of places that I have my opinion on if they hosted a "Outdoor" game.
The new University of Minnesota football stadium when it opens in two or three years, the Wild fans would eat it up...
Chicago has a few options. People would tend to think that Soldier field would be the number one choice, but in all honesty. I would love to see the game at Wrigley Field. One problem is that Hawks fans don't go to games now. Why would they go then... Good news is they might get it on TV.
Detroit, I see a couple of options here too. There was an article in one of the Detroit papers a few weeks ago that said Ford Field is looking to host a Michigan/Michigan State Cold War 2 or Detroit/Toronto game next year to practice and get ready to host the 2010 NCAA frozen four. Plus you never have to worry about the Lions making the playoffs.
Personally, I would love to see the Cold War 2, hosted at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. When the rennovations at U of M are done it would be great to see 100,000 for a game, We have the record (and I say "we" meaning the state of Michigan, MSU and UofM). Let's push the record even higher. Plus the Wings could to a Wings/Avs. Wings/Hawks, Wings/Leafs, Wings/Habs game there as well
Denver. Again. Mile High Stadium is the obvious choice, but I think even though the Broncos were terrible this season you have to think there is a possibily of a Broncose playoff game. So Coors Field would be a great choice.
Pittsburgh, I would have said yes to them hosting the game rather than Buffalo. But, Heinz Field is overused as it is, the Steelers are usually playoff bound , the field there is crap as well, so the game could be at PNC park for the Pirates.
Other cities. Philadelphia... I don't see Philly pulling this off. Flyers fans in the cold for 4+ hours wouldn't be a good thing.
Boston... The Patriots could host the game once their season ends in February. Gillette Stadium does have artificial turf so I could see it there. But If you want "heritage" Fenway Park has GOT to host it.
New York. Many options for the Big Apple. It would have to be Rangers vs. Islanders for it to work. The New Yankee Stadium in 2009 would be perfect, New Shea Stadium as well (when completed). Giants Stadium I would not even consider.
St. Louis... I couldn't see St. Louis doing well, they've never really supported the Blues like most other cities do. You could do it at the Edward Jones Dome, but if it's not outside, why even bother doing it. The new Busch Stadium is probably the best choice but... I don't think that the Blues would get as hyped for it like Buffalo did today.
Nashville... Not a chance.
Toronto, Rogers Centre (formerly Skydome). Could be a great place to do it, especially since it has a retractable roof. If the snow flies too much... Close it. But I don't think you'll get the Toronto Brass to sign off on it.
That's all... my fingers are hurting
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Post by RedWings on Jan 2, 2008 16:57:26 GMT -5
I loved it. I loved the weather, the "hole" in the ice, Miller's Tuuk and 73,000 screaming fans. I thought it was great.
I thought Doc, Eddie O, Panger, Costas and Millbury did a great job of filling time given all the "breakdowns" they had to endure. Resurfacing the ice DURING the period let alone after it, fixing that pesky rough spot near the blue line, and those guys had to keep talking and talking. I thought they did quite well handling a 2-1/2 hour hockey game in 3-1/2 hours time.
Good Slap Shot references, Costas working with the REAL Oggie Oglethorpe and even film of Millbury going up in the stands and whacking a Ranger fan with the fan's own shoe. Absolutely Classic, IMO!!!
I thought NBC has sucked in it's hockey coverage the last couple of seasons but I really enjoyed yesterdays event. Because it was no longer a hockey game, but an event. They had to be prepared for the unknown and they seemed to be, IMO.
I didn't want to see an antiseptic, pristine game. We get dozens of those a week. I wanted to see exactly what we got... hometown fans snowballing the visitors bus, weather being a factor (but not for the die hard fans), throwback jerseys, horns to switch sides half way through the third and OT periods, oh, and pretty entertaining hockey, to boot.
The conditions affected both teams equally, and they both still played. Still skated, hit, checked, deked, shot and scored. And in the end, the NHL and NBC got what they wanted. The "Next One" deciding it on a last shot of a shoot out. Perfect Hollywood drama, unscripted.
I hate shootouts and hated to see the game decided that way. But if any casual fan stopped by NBC yesterday afternoon, they got a treat, and I hope hockey gets a few new fans because of it.
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Post by inspector on Jan 2, 2008 17:16:44 GMT -5
Being from Buffalo, I thought it was a GREAT choice! Love the old sweaters, too.
I didn't watch much of the NBC broadcast, because I got the CBC feed. What was interesting was the CBC had more of the background noise (crowd, music, etc.), however, the NBC camera were definately better suited to the lighting condition. Their picture was much better.
For those that missied it, Cherry was dapper in a white w/ black dots tux. My wife, after listening to him rant on a number of subjects, said, "He's an angry man . . . " Classic!
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Post by RedWings on Jan 2, 2008 17:28:41 GMT -5
Oh, I also loved the guy in the stands who held up the sign that said, "LOOK MA, NO ROOF".
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