So another year has arrived, along with the spectacle of the NHL’s Winter Classic (featured by Bridgestone, in case you missed it). Once again, it also displayed a very exciting game. Well, from the second half on. Still, I can’t help but find a few little things the league, the Classic, and NBC for that matter should work on…
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
The Legends Game is awesome even if it gets relegated to the backwaters of the NHL Network. The fans of the teams show up in massive force, and frankly everyone seems to enjoy it. In my ever so humble opinion, the Legends Game really shows off the old glory days of hockey more than the actual Winter Classic game. You just have a bunch of guys who are out there enjoying playing, and of course they want to win, but there’s no one trying to kill each other out there unlike Mr. Werewolf of Phily, Scott Hartnell. Or if they do want to kill each other, they do a really good job masking it.
Figuring out your start time would be a good idea. It really wouldn’t be the NHL if they didn’t do something slightly moronic, and switching the start time of the game in 24 hours beforehand certainly qualifies. The fact the league said it was for player safety works as a nice reason as to why, but why no one thought, “Oh, it might be sunny out and light reflecting off the ice may be problematic.” And guess what? It barely interfered with the Rose Bowl.
Mike Milbury being asked for analysis always blows my mind. Seriously, what in the hell is he doing being asked for anything besides to step away from a child? Is he NBC’s response to Don Cherry? And did no one inform them that Don Cherry shouldn’t tried to be replicated? And at least Cherry was successful as a coach. Maybe not a ton, but he didn’t run the Boston Bruins into the ground such as the state the New York Islanders are in.
You know, there is another part of the country outside of the Northeast. I’m not saying have the Winter Classic in Phoenix, nor even have the Coyotes involved in one. But seeing how the furthest west the league went was to Chicago playing Detroit shows that they and NBC really have their minds set only on a few certain teams. Cities that I am surprised have been ignored outright for a chance to host are St. Paul and Denver. The NHL, and their rating’s game they have with networks, discovered that even with only one impassioned city that viewership can still be impressive. I know the whole underlying theme is the history of the game and teams involved, but rotating between only six or so teams gets old really quick. Which leads to…
Really hard to argue that it's not just a really flashy spectacle. Photo courtesy of NHL.com
Ease off the old time hockey feel. Yes, it is fun. And yes I said the Legends Game does show off the history and past time of hockey, but that’s just the thing. It does enough of that. Wearing retro jerseys does enough of that. The fact the game is being played outdoors like we never invented refrigeration and rely on cold weather does enough of that. The Classic is a spectacle. Because it says, “Hey look, we have technology and refuse to use it in this case even though we are taking that technology we refuse to acknowledge this once to make sure what we do here works fine.” The Winter Classic is the sport world’s hipster movement. Yeah, it is cool to remember what things were like back in the day, and going back to try that out is fun. Like oversized glasses or Atari. But once you start flaunting it too much and shoving it down people’s throats that crap bugs people. Hockey fans and really anyone that has ever heard of ice knows that the Winter Classic is a nod to the really old days. There is no need to beat everyone over the head with the fact, we get it, so show the audience some respect to figure that out on their own.
Once a year is the perfect amount. And yes Canada can keep doing the Heritage Classic. It really doesn’t dilute the experience of having Canada run their own show. Because yes, the Winter Classic is a relative cash grab, but also is a fun event for its quirkiness. So it having it once for all of America and once for Canada works. It does already have a bit of tradition to it, as in you expect to see a listing for it on your DVR guide around New Year’s Day, and hockey fans do enjoy attending even though I am sure the view from wherever at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark probably sucked. It’s a fun experience. Once a year. It’s a good amount. Plus it’s something Canada copied (sort of) that the league instituted. I don’t know if that will ever happen again.
Lastly, don’t mic the audiences during the flag bearing, especially in Philadelphia. I know, reinforcing stereotypes, and it wasn’t just Flyer fans to be fair. Shouts of “RANGERS SUCK” and “F@#& THE FLYERS” are going to be shouted. Yes, even during flag bearings before national anthems. And you don’t need to have the mic turned on to the audience during that period. Just saying…
And now for a few suggestions for future Winter Classics:
San Jose vs. Detroit @ Comerica Park
These two teams don’t like each other. Shocking that there is a rivalry in the west, but both teams have big time talent, and there is a history with the Wings so all the bases are covered.
Boston vs. Minnesota @ Target Field
Boston showed they can carry ratings on their own, so a small market like Minnesota shouldn’t worry the league or networks. Minnesota has the weather for an outdoor game, and even though the North Stars aren’t exactly the Wild’s history Minnesota goes crazy for hockey.
Chicago vs. Colorado @ Invesco Field
The weather in Denver would be fine, and I highly doubt the Broncos can keep winning with Tim Tebow. Again, a golden chance for the league to recognize the west coast a bit.
What would we do without the Pinstripe bowl to decide between Rutgers and Iowa State? Please observe the size of the crowd. Photo courtesy of TheGazette.com
Los Angeles vs. New York Rangers @ MetLife Stadium
For all wondering, the stadium is Giants Stadium. And yes, I know that the Devils would be the more apt team. However, the Rangers are the bigger draw and a good ol’ NY vs. LA match are plenty entertaining. Obviously, Yankee Stadium would be the better locale, but with some greedy jerks deciding to get involved with the BCS racket for another pointless college bowl game that spot likely won’t open up. Which sucks.
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