Winter Classic Hockey

Next Winter Classic To Be Detroit vs Leafs

admin — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:58:29 +0000

The NHL is rumored to be the Toronto Maple Leafs vs the Detroit Red Wings at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. This will be the largest Winter Classic yet, with a seating capacity of 110,000! Although details are yet to be finalized and announced, the media is running with this rumor. Including the Leafs will be a huge step for the league, but the large seating capacity and its location surely played into the decision. Ice conditions should be good, as its “so cold in the D”.

Winter Classic Postgame

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:16:35 +0000

Congrats to the NHL for pulling off another fantastic Winter Classic. This game came down to the final minutes, when Danny Briere had a chance at tying it up with a penalty shot. Ruppy Chow scored two for the Rangers and Brad Richards got the game winner. Reports around the Internet from those that attended are overwhelmingly positive, and the TV broadcast was decent. Some thoughts:

Its nice to have a musical guest, but the Roots would have been much better on TV with a better audio mix.
Speaking of audio, the crowd sounds don’t come across very well – and the alternating Lets Go Rangers/Lets Go Flyers chants needed to be captured better.
Start times are going to be influenced by the weather, so having a network that prepares for possibilities is excellent. Having plenty of broadcast experience, I know it must have been a tough day for those working this end of the game.
The game was exciting, and both teams seemed to really put forth the effort. This weeks episode of HBO’s road to the Winter Classic is going to be really interesting. and the real reason to keep subscribing to HBO.
Bryzgalov’s thermos. How this wasn’t spun into a new marketing angle by the NHL office is beyond me. I’d buy a limited edition Bryz model Thermos in a heartbeat. It could have a huskies in spacesuits design and a puck-shaped top and they would sell out immediately.
Airing the Alumni game was great and hopefully this is a trend that will continue.
Nice to see Mark Recchi working the broadcast team, it was a treat. Understated presence and not showboating unlike some of the other personalities.
The NHL network’s coverage was great, Katherine Tappen did a good job as She always did on NESN.

Winter Classic Alumni Game Time Change

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:52:34 +0000

The 2012 Flyers – Rangers Alumni Game has been rescheduled for a 3PM start, due to concerns that using the ice while the sun hits it directly will degrade the surface. The game will be televised in the United States … Continue reading →

Winter Classic Roundup

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:57:40 +0000

The 2012 Winter Classic is getting close, and the Internet is abuzz with articles and information about the game.

Broad Street Hockey has an article detailing where the best ( and worst ) seats will be at the game- with lots of pictures.
http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2011/12/29/2667218/winter-classic-2012-tickets-seats-guide-philadelphia-flyers-new-york-rangers

Puck Daddy ranks the 7 best Winter Classic jerseys.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/The-7-best-NHL-Winter-Classic-jerseys?urn=nhl-wp21057

Philly.com writer Sam Carchidi asks the question: Bobs or Bryz in goal for the Winter Classic. Trick question,it should be Leighton
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inqflyersreport/Bob-or-Bryz-Who-should-get-Winter-Classic-nod.html

Video on the making of Bryz’s goalie mask for the Winter Classic
http://video.flyers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=0&id=143304

Schedule of 2012 Winter Clasic Events

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:52:49 +0000

In addition to the scheduled Winter Classic game between the Rangers and Flyers, there are a number of other events built around the outdoor ice and surrounding areas. Here is the full schedule:

Saturday, December 31

Spectator Plaza
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game
1 p.m.

Sunday, January 1

Spectator Plaza
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Monday, January 2

Spectator Plaza
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic
Monday, January 2 at 1 p.m.

Tuesday, January 3

Public Skate
7- 8 p.m.
8:15 – 9:15 p.m.

Friday, January 6

AHL Down on the Farm Battle: Adirondack Phantoms vs. Hershey Bears
Friday, January 6 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, January 7

Public Skate:
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
11 p.m. – 12 midnight
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
7:45 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
9:15 – 10:15 p.m.

The spectator plaza is put on by the sponsors and has lots of giveaways, challenges and fun. Well worth the trip over. The public skate is a must attend for the kids, as this is a unique experience they probably will not ever have again.

Bryzgalov’s Winter Classic Goalie Pads

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:38:30 +0000

Check out these images of Ilya Bryzgalov’s awesome throwback schemed goalie pads. These pads were made for Bryz to wear in the Winter Classic game, and the coloring is designed to carry the old school look. Combine these with the retro jerseys and Bryz is going to be styling. Hey Universe, lookin good!

Lundqvist’s Winter Classic Goalie Mask

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:18:07 +0000

Henrik Lundqvist’s winter classic mask is a thing of beauty. Designed by David Gunnarsson of DAVEART Designs, it is made to look like it is “look really old and dusty and very used”. Mission accomplished, you can almost smell the embedded sweat that hockey equipment takes on after a while.

Winter Classic 2012 Alumni Game Rosters

admin — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:40:22 +0000

The full alumni game rosters is as follows

Rangers:
Goalies: Dan Blackburn, John Vanbiesbrouck
Defensemen: Ron Greschner, Darius Kasparaitis, Tom Laidlaw, Brian Leetch, Dave Maloney, Dale Purinton, Mathieu Schneider
Forwards: Glenn Anderson, Paul Broten, Ron Duguay, Nick Fotiu, Mike Gartner, Adam Graves, Pat Hickey, Kris King, Nick Kypreos, Darren Langdon, Stephane Matteau, Brian Mullen, Darren Turcotte

Flyers:
Goalies: Neil Little, Mark LaForest
Defensemen: Chris Therien,Derian Hatcher, Kjell Samuelsson, Larry Goodenough, Eric Desjardins, Terry Carkner, Joe Watson, Brad Marsh, Mark Howe.
Forwards:John LeClair,Jeremy Roenick, Eric Lindros,Mark Recchi, Bobby Clarke, Shjon Podein,Jim Dowd, Orest Kindrachuk, Bob Kelly, Reggie Leach, Bill Barber, Ken Linesman, Brian Propp, Al Hill

2012 Winter Classic AHL and Alumni Game Information

admin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:19:19 +0000

In addition to the centerpiece Flyers-Rangers tilt, there are a few other games scheduled to take place around the Winter Classic again this year. Citizens Bank Park will host the Alumni game on Saturday Dec. 31st with a 1pm start time, in a contest that has already confirmed a number of former NHL stars including Eric Lindros.

Additionally, the AHL’s Adirondack Phantoms will play the Hershey Bears on January 6th. Will Michael Leighton lose his second Winter Classic? Depending on who gets the goalie call, this question could be a resounding yes.

HBO’s Road To The Winter Classic 247 Starts Dec 14

admin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:17:54 +0000

Last season, HBO aired its first Winter Classic themed 24/7 series- featuring the Penguins and the Capitals. This years installment promises to be just as awesome, with the reality series focusing in on the Flyers and Rangers. The series begins it’s (too short!) run date on December 16th at 10PM EST, with additional episodes airing subsequent Wednesdays for a total of four episodes. HBO has some great shows that make it worth the subscription price (The Wire is perhaps the greates televison show ever!) and this installment of 24/7 will be no exception.

24/7 FLYERS/RANGERS: ROAD TO THE NHL WINTER CLASSIC, HBO