Winter Classic 4

[Jason Harris 31]

From the Bruins Blog on the Boston Globe

Bruins fans will have a fun (if frigid) way to spend the next New Year's Day: watching their favorite hockey team play at Fenway Park.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations on the players' side, the NHL has given the Bruins the go-ahead to play this year's Winter Classic outdoor game at Fenway Park on Jan. 1, 2010. That same source indicated their opponent could be either the Capitals or Flyers, though no decision has been made.

Over the last three months, speculation has been that the Bruins' opponent would be the Canadiens. But it appears the Habs will not be coming to Fenway.

A report in the Boston Herald this morning suggested that Boston was chosen to host this year's Classic -- a popular if relatively new NHL tradition -- over New York and Philadelphia:

League reps had visited all three cities and, in Boston, looked at both Fenway and Gillette Stadium . However, scheduling around any Patriots postseason play was a tricky proposition, we're told, and ultimately Fenway got the nod.

Last year's Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley drew more than 40,000 fans.

[interpathway 9]

C'mon put the Caps in!

[furlanitalia 1]

Either team would be awesome, although I'd love to see Ovie out on the pond!

[mrusse01 0]

They gotta put Ovechkin in there.

[tommym96 0]

I WILL be there. Winter Classic at Fenway is AWESOME. Should be the Habs but if not, get Ovechkin and crew.

[ZINC 8]

I don't understand how Minnesota hasn't been mentioned as a candidate for this. We have TWO massive outdoor arenas in downtown Minneapolis that are going to be opening next year, and I can't imagine a bigger hockey market in the US than here...

[chippa13 1844]

I don't understand how Minnesota hasn't been mentioned as a candidate for this. We have TWO massive outdoor arenas in downtown Minneapolis that are going to be opening next year, and I can't imagine a bigger hockey market in the US than here...

In order for Minny to get the game they would have to get a high exposure opponent. Sure, ticket sales would be phenomenal but the interest in the Wild outside of Minny isn't astounding, to say the least.

For those folks excited about Fenway, you think those rows are cramped now, just wait until you're in there dressed for 3 winter hours. It will be a tight squeeze. That said, I'll probably try to get in there. I expect that the opponent will be the Rangers and they'll try to mix the Sox-Yankees rivalry in there.

[furlanitalia 1]

I'm sure at one point Minnesota will get it, but look at the marketability of Boston over the Wild.

[dw91 0]

minnesota vs. caps, in minnesota. that would be great

[hockeysc23 0]

Fenway would be interesting. I sorta hope to NOT see the Caps in it. It would cost me too much haha.

Not to mention I think the Caps can wait a little bit before they need to be in one of these so they can have one closer to home. FEDEX field with 90k hockey fans would be unreal.

[interpathway 9]

FEDEX field with 90k hockey fans would be unreal.

And possibly 90 degree weather too. Damn Maryland.

[furlanitalia 1]

That would be insane. Wembley would be a great one as well if it weren't in the UK.

[hockeysc23 0]

FEDEX field with 90k hockey fans would be unreal.

And possibly 90 degree weather too. Damn Maryland.

Yeah the unpredictable weather in DC makes it close to impossible but if the Caps are in it I'd rather it be closer to home or against more of a rival like Philly, Pitts, or even Carolina.

[Chadd 916]

I don't understand how Minnesota hasn't been mentioned as a candidate for this. We have TWO massive outdoor arenas in downtown Minneapolis that are going to be opening next year, and I can't imagine a bigger hockey market in the US than here...

Then the rest of us would actually have to watch the Wild play. It's bad enough that they've been on VS and NBC more than just about any other team this year, having them hosting the winter classic would be adding insult to injury. The NHL wants to put on an exciting game to entice more people to watch the sport, and I can't see the Wild hosting a winter classic as long as that is a major consideration.

[furlanitalia 1]

My thoughts exactly. Don't get me wrong, I'll watch any team play, but from the NHL's view it has to be marketable. And the Bruins are marketable.

[fieldofdreams 0]

Wouldn't this be Winter Classic 3? Or am I forgetting something??

[chippa13 1844]

OP probably included the Heritage Classic in his counting, I let it slide.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Wouldn't this be Winter Classic 3? Or am I forgetting something??

Oil/Habs in edmonton - WC1

Pens/Sabres in upstate NY - WC2

Hawks/Wings at Wrigley - WC3

Caps/Bruins at Fenway - WC4

[furlanitalia 1]

No, the first was labeled the Heritage Classic and the first NHL game took place after it. It was then renamed to the Winter Classic when the Pens took on Buffalo. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

[Rustyhole 1]

edit: answered

[ZINC 8]

I don't understand how Minnesota hasn't been mentioned as a candidate for this. We have TWO massive outdoor arenas in downtown Minneapolis that are going to be opening next year, and I can't imagine a bigger hockey market in the US than here...

Then the rest of us would actually have to watch the Wild play. It's bad enough that they've been on VS and NBC more than just about any other team this year, having them hosting the winter classic would be adding insult to injury. The NHL wants to put on an exciting game to entice more people to watch the sport, and I can't see the Wild hosting a winter classic as long as that is a major consideration.

Yeah, that Col/Sj game on after the Wild game this week was a BARNBURNER!!! <_<

[furlanitalia 1]

Haha, I would've loved to see a blowout, or a high scoring game. But 0-0 doesn't really get me going.

[chippa13 1844]

I don't understand how Minnesota hasn't been mentioned as a candidate for this. We have TWO massive outdoor arenas in downtown Minneapolis that are going to be opening next year, and I can't imagine a bigger hockey market in the US than here...

Then the rest of us would actually have to watch the Wild play. It's bad enough that they've been on VS and NBC more than just about any other team this year, having them hosting the winter classic would be adding insult to injury. The NHL wants to put on an exciting game to entice more people to watch the sport, and I can't see the Wild hosting a winter classic as long as that is a major consideration.

Yeah, that Col/Sj game on after the Wild game this week was a BARNBURNER!!! <_<

The third period of that game and the OT were pretty darn good.

[Jason Harris 31]

Wouldn't this be Winter Classic 3? Or am I forgetting something??

You're probably right. When I searched to see whether someone had already posted the topic, I noticed the previous one was titled Winter Classic 3, so I broke out the algebra to come up with WC4.

I don't understand how Minnesota hasn't been mentioned as a candidate for this. We have TWO massive outdoor arenas in downtown Minneapolis that are going to be opening next year, and I can't imagine a bigger hockey market in the US than here...

Then the rest of us would actually have to watch the Wild play. It's bad enough that they've been on VS and NBC more than just about any other team this year, having them hosting the winter classic would be adding insult to injury. The NHL wants to put on an exciting game to entice more people to watch the sport, and I can't see the Wild hosting a winter classic as long as that is a major consideration.

Yeah, that Col/Sj game on after the Wild game this week was a BARNBURNER!!! <_<

The third period of that game and the OT were pretty darn good.

Absolutely. Colorado killed off nearly 2.5 minutes of 4-on-3 in OT.

[the_game 452]

possibly, official announcement of the next winter classic coming at the Awards show in Vegas...