There is so much that ca
n be said about this game, but for me, it was the perfect way to spend the start of the new year. If 2008 turns out to be half as good as that hockey game was, it is going to be a great year. I bet the Buffalo fans don’t agree with me, but if a loss in the shootout sours the game for the fans, I would gladly trade them experiences next year.
I don’t think the question of spectacle was really answered. There was plenty of grumbling, from the MSM to plenty of bloggers, that the game was a money grab, and the game was going to be nothing but a flash and trash presentation. Money grab? Maybe, but in the end, it was a great hockey game. For whatever the experience the players had, the fans at the game were obviously having a great time, they could see the play well enough to boo and cheer along at the right times, and sitting at home, I probably saw one of the best and most interesting games of the year.
And it truly was an interesting game. From the strange play in the first period, to the shootout, to the snow, to the stoppages, to the changing of ends, and everything that was involved, it was one of the games that will be talked about for the rest of the year, and for years to come.
And for all of the grousing, the league did a really good job. Seriously, we complain about the league over and over, but they came through on almost every front, and for the fans, it was a great day.
For a few other liveblogs of the action today, check out Barry Melrose Rocks, and Eric McErlain at the Fanhouse.
If you want to read the rest of this period by period liveblog, here are the links:
Happy Winter Classic Day
Winter Classic Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5: Free Hockey!!!!
Part 6: Shootout!!!!
Yep, that was a fun game to watch. It was like watching a souped-up version of pond hockey and the players truly looked to be enjoying it.
I’d be interested to hear the television ratings though. How many people were still nestled in their beds after celebrating the new year. Especially on the west coast.
Nonetheless, it never hurts to do something different and have a little fun with things.
Oh, and the Crosby winner in the shootout, no way could they have scripted that any better
I think the ratings are going to be pretty good. Even against the bowl games, the thing looked great (on the CBC at least, and NBC would have had to work pretty hard to screw that one up.
Hi Tapeleg -
I’ll second the opinion that the Winter Classic started off my new year on a positive note. I have family who live in the Buffalo area, so we were pulling for the Sabres to win, but seeing Crosby win the shootout was incredible.
The only thing I disliked about the NBC broadcast was the Mike Milbury segments during the intermission. They showed the clip where he beat up the fan with the fan’s shoe and was pretty proud of it, “He deserved it! He said some bad things about my teammate.”
I’m all about keeping fighting and passion in the NHL, but no one can persuade me that the incident involving the Bruins and Rangers was a darker period for the NHL.
I didn’t realize you were live-blogging this event Tape, I would have been here.
And you’re right, for all the complaining those pesky bloggers do about the NHL, whiners
, they really came through with a great event On New Years Day.
PB – It was a great game. I’m lucky I as able to see the CBC broadcast. I didn’t feel like they were doing anything other than presenting a great hockey game. They gave some good info, good analysis, and told some great stories. People who have never seen a CBC broadcast are missing out.
Jib – I didn’t know I was going to liveblog it until I was doing it. It was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be, maybe because it was such a damn good game.