Great Idea

Unless it's the Stanley Cup playoffs or the Olympics, I rarely watch entire hockey games anymore that don't involve the Hawks. But yesterdays "Classic" was a total treat, watched from the opening drop puck till the end of the shootout. The idea to stage a nationally televised game outdoors in a football stadium - Rich Stadium in Buffalo- was inspired. That a massive snowstorm would rage during the game and totally affect play only made the game that more compelling. And given that the 70k+ crowd were treated to -despite the elements- a well played game featuring superstar Sidney Crosby, the afternoon was a great success for the NHL.

Today's NYT has a story about the horrible condition of Heinz Field for the upcoming NFL playoff game in Pittsburgh. A rain contributed to the fall of Heinz's condition= that 3-0 game a few weeks back in the water/mud of the field.

The article makes a point that some of the "terrible condition" NFL games are celebrated to this day- it mentions Vintierra FG in the snow and the Ice Bowl, but I also remember these games= My favourite game of all time, the Bears beating the giants in a freezing snowy Meadowlands, a Denver- Green Bay 1978 MNF game in a blizzard, and the Fog Bowl in the 1988 playoffs. If I remember correctly, the TV ratings went up for each of these games as the contest went on.

It was a good idea for the NHL, and the conditions outdoors contributed to this success. Everything went right. Now, I'm not saying stage this sorta game every week- but I will be looking forward to seeing what the elements will be for the next classic. Here's to staging a Hawks game Soldiers Field next season- and having it on free tv.