Special skates & sticks for the Winter Classic

[Spreedizzle 1]

They should have had the game today.

You just wanted the game today to entertain you while you are home sick!!

:P

[TBLfan 25]

YES. But that's not the point!

It makes sense, the hockey fans change the channel from figure skating to hockey. Maybe some of the kids start watching the tv and think, this is pretty cool. Not to mention that most guys would rather watch hockey over male figure skating, it's a wonderful life(urkel edition) and the like.

The only worse idea besides Jan 1st would be putting the game opposite of the super bowl... I bet Bets didnt think about that one. Wait till next year.

[wildebeest 0]

YES. But that's not the point!

It makes sense, the hockey fans change the channel from figure skating to hockey. Maybe some of the kids start watching the tv and think, this is pretty cool. Not to mention that most guys would rather watch hockey over male figure skating, it's a wonderful life(urkel edition) and the like.

The only worse idea besides Jan 1st would be putting the game opposite of the super bowl... I bet Bets didnt think about that one. Wait till next year.

What is this "Super Bowl" you speak of? :P

[Chadd 916]

YES. But that's not the point!

It makes sense, the hockey fans change the channel from figure skating to hockey. Maybe some of the kids start watching the tv and think, this is pretty cool. Not to mention that most guys would rather watch hockey over male figure skating, it's a wonderful life(urkel edition) and the like.

The only worse idea besides Jan 1st would be putting the game opposite of the super bowl... I bet Bets didnt think about that one. Wait till next year.

Having it on a slow day like x-mas would have been perfect. The game is going to get completely lost among the bowl games on Jan 1, at least as far as the US is concerned.

[thehighlife 0]

I may be wrong on this and if I am I apologize. i think the outdoor game is on before the bowl games on Jan 1

Like I said i could be wrong but I thought that is what I read

[nickyb13 9]

game starts at 1pm

[Chadd 916]

I may be wrong on this and if I am I apologize. i think the outdoor game is on before the bowl games on Jan 1

Like I said i could be wrong but I thought that is what I read

game starts at 1pm

Outback January 1, 2008 Wisconsin (9-3) vs.

at Tampa, Florida (11:00 a.m. - ESPN) Tennessee (9-4)

Cotton January 1, 2008 Missouri (11-2) vs.

at Dallas (11:30 a.m. - FOX) Arkansas (8-4)

Gator January 1, 2008 Texas Tech (8-4) vs.

at Jacksonville, Florida (1:00 p.m. - CBS) Virginia (9-3)

Capital One January 1, 2008 Michigan (8-4) vs.

at Orlando, Florida (1:00 p.m. - ABC) Florida (9-3)

[Gummer12 134]

(Insert Slow Clap for Bettman Here)

[chippa13 1844]

I may be wrong on this and if I am I apologize. i think the outdoor game is on before the bowl games on Jan 1

Like I said i could be wrong but I thought that is what I read

game starts at 1pm

Outback January 1, 2008 Wisconsin (9-3) vs.

at Tampa, Florida (11:00 a.m. - ESPN) Tennessee (9-4)

Cotton January 1, 2008 Missouri (11-2) vs.

at Dallas (11:30 a.m. - FOX) Arkansas (8-4)

Gator January 1, 2008 Texas Tech (8-4) vs.

at Jacksonville, Florida (1:00 p.m. - CBS) Virginia (9-3)

Capital One January 1, 2008 Michigan (8-4) vs.

at Orlando, Florida (1:00 p.m. - ABC) Florida (9-3)

Ahhh.........none of those are of the major 5 which garner national true national interest.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

Ahhh.........none of those are of the major 5 which garner national true national interest.

But factor in those Wisconsin, and Michigan markets... 2 hockey hotbeds in the U.S. that will probably be tuning into those Bowl games instead.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

Ahhh.........none of those are of the major 5 which garner national true national interest.

But factor in those Wisconsin, and Michigan markets... 2 hockey hotbeds in the U.S. that will probably be tuning into those Bowl games instead.

Exactly. Nobody will watch the hockey game here, and it would still be tough even if the Wings were in it.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

No doubt.. I'm all the way in Massachusetts, and I'm about 120% sure that the Wolverines would trump an NHL contest in January.

[Sichy 6]

While it wasn't the brightest idea to have the Winter Classic go up against all the NCAA Bowl games, I think Gary Bettman believes there is still the slightest of opportunities to increase the number of hockey audiences in the U.S. If there are some blowouts in the NCAA Bowl games, there is a possibility that football fans will channel surf a bit, and if that is the case, the outdoor hockey game just may catch the attention of some viewers.

[DamnLocust 0]

but why bank on that possibility? Why not do something that will work with certainty?

The league chose the date because it's a day where (almost) nobody works and there's pretty much nothing to do but stay home and watch TV while nursing a hangover. There aren't a whole lot of these days in the year.

IMHO, they should have just waited until the week after the pro bowl. Not only that, but they could have advertised during the superbowl.

[King32 0]

Some pics of the pens breaking in blue gloves, helmets, pants and some old school goal equipment.

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=...;galleryId=3905

[MLSman 22]

I really don't think that anyone in their right mind would think that this game would attract many non-hockey or new fans. This whole thing is a nostalgic die-hard hockey fan attraction...meant to bring a tear to the eyes of those that used to play on the ponds when they were "wee little lads".

I heard an interview yesterday on XM during an intermission from someone that was playing for Montreal when they did the outdoor game. He spent most of the time talking about how it reminded him of those pond hockey pick up games...it was as if he was 10 again. It was kinda cool.

I know I will watch it...but of course will have the remote programmed to switch to the bowl games during breaks.

PS - Boy I would love to get my hands on one of those Pens light blue RBK practice jerseys. Those are sick! Anyone know where I can find it?

[Chadd 916]

Ahhh.........none of those are of the major 5 which garner national true national interest.

The same could be said for the two hockey teams playing as well.

I really don't think that anyone in their right mind would think that this game would attract many non-hockey or new fans. This whole thing is a nostalgic die-hard hockey fan attraction...meant to bring a tear to the eyes of those that used to play on the ponds when they were "wee little lads".

By making it an "event" and holding it on a day where people are more likely to stumble across it, you may actually pick up some casual viewers.

I only hope that NBC does it "right". By that I mean, interviews with players talking about playing pond hockey while growing up, maybe some grainy black and white or home movie footage. Really work the family and friends fun angle of the whole thing.

[chippa13 1844]

Ahhh.........none of those are of the major 5 which garner national true national interest.

The same could be said for the two hockey teams playing as well.

I really don't think that anyone in their right mind would think that this game would attract many non-hockey or new fans. This whole thing is a nostalgic die-hard hockey fan attraction...meant to bring a tear to the eyes of those that used to play on the ponds when they were "wee little lads".

By making it an "event" and holding it on a day where people are more likely to stumble across it, you may actually pick up some casual viewers.

I only hope that NBC does it "right". By that I mean, interviews with players talking about playing pond hockey while growing up, maybe some grainy black and white or home movie footage. Really work the family and friends fun angle of the whole thing.

Sure, small market teams but entertaining to watch. I think the league is banking on folks flipping by and staying tuned. Home footage would be great. Another good tie in could be a segment on one of the huge pond tournies. Maybe sneak in some snippits of stars from other sports talking about their days on the ponds. Guys like Tom Glavine and such. Perhaps toss some current celebs out on a pond.

It could be a great product if done right and I, for one, would like to see this become something of an annual event. Obviously, some cities simply can't do it but how great would it be if next year they played outside in Minny, the year after in Detroit, and so on. If there is one thing the league could use it is a new tradition.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

I feel bad for the goalies that have to break in all new gear.. Doesnt that take quite awhile and alot of getting used to?

I mean for players, not too terribly bad. Helmets don't really need broken in, throw a new shell over the same pants they always wear, gloves, okay maybe gloves take 5-10 skates to get really nice and good but other than that, not too much to adjust to. I doubt many of them are going to use special sticks, if anything just some new colors (as Genos one 90 is blue instead of gold now), and I bet none use any special skates.

Goalies seem to be dealing with the most equipment adjusting..

Pitt vs Philly in Beaver stadium would be interesting.. Big rivalry, venue in the middle of the state, huge arena..

[Chadd 916]

Pitt vs Philly in Beaver stadium would be interesting.. Big rivalry, venue in the middle of the state, huge arena..

Yeah, but if they couldn't sell out all 100k+ seats it would look bad to anyone watching on TV. That said, they could give each season ticket holder a free ticket and still have a ton to sell.

[phantomowner27 20]

pittsburghpenguins.com

video about pens equipment for Mondays game. Short glimpse of brown bauer skates.

[D-MaN88 0]

FYI: The link posted above, for those that are still interested in seeing what Crosby's curve looks like, there is a great pic of it in the "photo" slide-show listed under "12-29 : Penguins vs Sabres".

Again just noticed it so I thought I would point it out.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Pitt vs Philly in Beaver stadium would be interesting.. Big rivalry, venue in the middle of the state, huge arena..

Yeah, but if they couldn't sell out all 100k+ seats it would look bad to anyone watching on TV. That said, they could give each season ticket holder a free ticket and still have a ton to sell.

Its all about camera angles my friend...

[James 0]

The brown and black vapor XXXXs towards the begining of the video look amazing.

[budro727 0]

FYI: The link posted above, for those that are still interested in seeing what Crosby's curve looks like, there is a great pic of it in the "photo" slide-show listed under "12-29 : Penguins vs Sabres".

Again just noticed it so I thought I would point it out.

Jesus, that is the smallest curve I've seen that isn't straight.