by Anne
In my usual nightly perusal of TSN's website, I came across a picture of Jarome Iginla, which always captures my attention. The ensuing article indicated that there might be TWO outdoor games on New Year's Day. The first yet-to-be-officially-announced at Fenway Park in Boston and the other presumably in Calgary's McMahon Stadium, home of the CFL's Stampeders. The other opponent will be another Canadian opponent. I'm guessing the Canucks, just because the last two games have featured teams from the same conferences and Edmonton has already been in on the outdoor game action.
My initial reaction: Whaaaaaat?
I'm really not sure how to feel about this. I'm sure there are lots of teams who want in on the Winter Classic bank, but two Winter Classics seems a little strange.
Let's just make everyone happy by turning the Winter Classic into the All-Star Game and that way everyone gets to participate.
I'm down, are you down?
In my usual nightly perusal of TSN's website, I came across a picture of Jarome Iginla, which always captures my attention. The ensuing article indicated that there might be TWO outdoor games on New Year's Day. The first yet-to-be-officially-announced at Fenway Park in Boston and the other presumably in Calgary's McMahon Stadium, home of the CFL's Stampeders. The other opponent will be another Canadian opponent. I'm guessing the Canucks, just because the last two games have featured teams from the same conferences and Edmonton has already been in on the outdoor game action.
My initial reaction: Whaaaaaat?
I'm really not sure how to feel about this. I'm sure there are lots of teams who want in on the Winter Classic bank, but two Winter Classics seems a little strange.
Let's just make everyone happy by turning the Winter Classic into the All-Star Game and that way everyone gets to participate.
I'm down, are you down?
I haven't read the article which I suppose is unfair for me to leave a comment BUT here is how I feel:
ReplyDeleteI don't feel there should be a Winter Classic every year let alone the possibility of two. Everyone who attended Buffalo's knows how monumental it was. Why take that away from such an event? It doesn't make sense. Yes I understand how every team would want that same nostalgia. It was an AMAZING day for the Sabres and for hockey. But doesn't it take away from the event to have it every year? Do it every five or so years. Maybe I am off here but I just don't understand having it they way it is now.
The NHL needs to popularize itself... and fast. In Boston, like in many other cities, hockey is fourth in a four team market. The Winter Classic works on so many levels: linking hockey with its "pond roots", linking it to other professional sports teams in the area, and making it accessible to the casual sports fan. Red Sox fans (who are basically everybody in and around Boston, whether they like baseball or not) will watch, just to see their beloved 98 year old Fenway Park with a sheet of ice on it. I know the Winter Classic was special for you guys, but it is very important that the tradition lives on in other sports markets, not only for fans in other cities, but for the success of the NHL. That being said, two Winter Classics in the same day does NOT make any sense and only hurts the new tradition.
ReplyDelete