I'm watching the outdoor game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres -- a blizzard, 20-degree temperatures, 70,000 fans, goaltender Ryan Miller wearing a tuque.
Priceless.
Anyway, my father calls me as they're resurfacing the ice in the middle of a period and asks, "When they're playing Shinny in the middle of winter in Western Saskatchewan, do you think they bring out the Zamboni to make the ice beautiful?"
I know this is a great opportunity to show the world Sidney Crosby and, therefore, you want glossy ice and all, and maybe the ruts in the ice would have made for some injuries, but Pops had a decent point. It would have been interesting to see NHLers play a real game of pond hockey here, but that's a pipe dream.
With that, I'll go pop in "Mystery, Alaska."
Speaking of which, at the end of that movie, when the Rangers pluck Stevie Weeks out of Mystery and send him to Binghamton -- presumably not in the United Hockey League years -- isn't that a blatant circumvention of the NHL draft? I'm sure Weeks tore it up with the B.C. Icemen though. And, for those who don't remember, that was Broome County, not British Columbia.
By the way, I never would have fathomed that another team could have more on-ice advertising than the Komets, but check out Rio Grande Valley. Wow, look at the faceoff circles. That's a monstrosity. Thanks to Greg Rajan of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, for bringing it to my attention.
And if you're still wondering what a tuque is: click here. OK, you're right, this one's more appropriate: click here.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
I have been watching this as well. I love it! Some of the things that Crosby can do with the puck is amazing. I hope there is a shootout here!!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 01, 2008 at 04:01 PM
What a hockey game. I hope the NHL does this every season. Chicago, NY, Detriot, Denver and so on.
Posted by: Shawn | January 01, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Dallas ... Tampa Bay ... Bloomington ...
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 01, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Jamaica...
Posted by: Henley67250 | January 01, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Ft Wayne!
Posted by: Hoss | January 01, 2008 at 05:27 PM
I love it! Can the Komets do this at Zollner Stadium?
Posted by: Sherry | January 01, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Yeah, that wouldn't expensive.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 01, 2008 at 05:34 PM
And knowing Fort Wayne, it would be 72 degrees in January.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 01, 2008 at 05:34 PM
I don't believe I have ever seen a cost estimate put on these outdoor games, including those in Michigan. Have you?
Posted by: Sherry | January 01, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Just eyeballing it, in Buffalo, it took days to build a rink. You have to make it level, but dirt underneath, build a rink, put in boards that will be stable, etc. ... Remember, no compressors outdoors. ... In theory, it's simple, like those ones you make in the backyard. But if you want a rink, not a pond, it's a little tougher. ... That being said, no, I don't know the price.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 01, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Justin,
Bloomington isn't quite that far south. This the third year for my backyard rink.
http://www.prohockeynews.com/leagues/article.cfm?Article_ID=438
We had 40 days of skating last season and have about a week so far this season.
Posted by: SLB | January 01, 2008 at 06:25 PM
If anyone is bored and wanting to watch some good hockey fights, Check out Mirasty vs. Bosse. 6 rounds of pure enjoyment. Some great fights coming out of the LNAH.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 01, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Justin - there ARE compressors and coils below the ice on these outdoor rinks.
http://www.icerinkevents.com/
Look here and scroll to the bottom
http://www.icerinkevents.com/icerinkevents_006.htm
and you can see some of the coils in one of the pictures.
Posted by: SLB | January 01, 2008 at 06:40 PM
that hockey game was awesome to watch, I skipped watching football to watch that game, glad I did, what a great event. Crosby is everything he is billed to be.
Posted by: Mark | January 01, 2008 at 07:03 PM
It took just over a week to convert the field from football to hockey.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2007/12/27/winter-classic-ice.html
I cannot find the exact numbers for the cost, as I recall, it was "more than you can afford but cheaper than you might think"
Posted by: SLB | January 01, 2008 at 07:07 PM
OK, what do I know? I would have just left the hose on and given it a whirl, tsk, tsk.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 01, 2008 at 07:41 PM
You are a lil chippy tonight Justin.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 01, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Oh, yeah, I'm on a roll. But i wasn't being sarcastic; I'm trying to talk my wife into flooding the yard right now.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 01, 2008 at 08:21 PM
You can flood my yard -- now it only happens when I don't want it to. But seating could be a problem ... and forget about bathroom breaks!
Posted by: Sherry | January 01, 2008 at 08:25 PM
I didn't get to watch the Edmonton/Montreal game but I definately tuned for this one. It was really fun to watch and reminded me of when I was a kid and played some pond hockey. The pond we used was about 1/2 mile from where I lived. We made goals and stuff out of anything we could find in the garages. Once we accomplished the building of the goals, we soon learned they weighed like 75lbs. Not exactly something you can tote on your back while riding a bike. Thankfully we never erected boards but it sure sucked getting steamrolled into dead thorn bushes and tree branches.
Posted by: scoops | January 01, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Today's outdoor game was very awesome. I enjoyed it very much. Both teams played a hard fought, back and forth game. It was strange to see the zamboni come out in the middle of a period. I also would like to see a N.H.L. Winter Classic game in Detroit or Toronto.
Posted by: Adam Craig | January 01, 2008 at 09:52 PM
I'd like to see a game held up in Ann Arbor, MI between the Red Wings and either Blackhawks or Leafs...They should really make this an annual event on January 1st of every year.
If they ever hold this in either Ann Arbor or Chicago at Soldier Field, I'd be there no matter who the teams are.
Posted by: Brandon | January 01, 2008 at 09:59 PM
I can help you out in your quest, Justin.
Here is the place that got me started. http://www.hpurchase.com/backyard.htm
Here is another one...
http://www.3on3backyardhockey.com/
Another good place for info is a yahoo group called Backyardrink. There are 618 subscribers that are mostly folks in the U.S. and Canada who build their own backyard rinks. They go from mega complicated rink down to 2x4's and a tarp.
Posted by: SLB | January 01, 2008 at 10:30 PM
soldier field next year, hawks and wings. i would pay the price for that one! the ks at zollner stadium would be awesome also!
Posted by: gerry | January 01, 2008 at 10:51 PM
What wouldn't be awesome is watching the Hawks play like they are tonight. Brutal.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 02, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Hey Jerad, will you be there tonight to cheer the Fury on???
Posted by: Teresa | January 02, 2008 at 08:04 AM
As of right now, no. There is an outside chance, but I doubt I will be able to make the trip up to see my favorite team in the IHL, The Skegon Fury. Rumor has it though, next Friday, I will be in 215. Just a rumor.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 02, 2008 at 08:29 AM
We'll keep the seat warmed up for you...just in case you show tonight, Jerad.
Posted by: Teresa | January 02, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Thank you. The gf is working so there is a chance she might let me go out and play. We shall see!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 02, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Justin:
Thanks for posting the vid from RGV. Proof that on-ice advertising has gotten totally out of hand. OUTRAGOUS!!!
Posted by: Thomas | January 02, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Justin:
Thanks for posting the vid from RGV. Proof that on-ice advertising has gotten totally out of hand. OUTRAGOUS!!!
Posted by: Thomas | January 02, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Makes me sick to watch an old K's game in the early 90's and compare the advert. to now.
My dad and I were having a conversation about this on Monday. Who gets the money, the MC or the Frankes??? I'm guessing the MC since they only get rent if the attendance is under 5,000 and we all know that will NEVER happen.
Posted by: Junior | January 02, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Jerad, if you're going to get booted again, please get my attention in the press box first so I can see what all the controversy will be about. Kidding, kidding.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 02, 2008 at 02:36 PM
HAHA. I can do that. Are all the home Komet games 30 min. delayed on B2??
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 02, 2008 at 03:12 PM
why sit at the computer when you can go to the game??? you said your gf is working tonight
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | January 02, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Stevie Weeks ... Stevie Weeks ... Didn't he get traded to Danbury for two Paulie Walnuts and a Tony Soprano to be named later?
Posted by: ben smith | January 03, 2008 at 07:34 PM