NHL to Play Outdoor Game at Wrigley Field, Star Tribune Reports

bigboydan · 07-07-2008, 01:21 PM

Now that would be an event even hockey haters would like to go to I'm sure.

Quote:

NHL to Play Outdoor Game at Wrigley Field, Star Tribune Reports

By Erik Matuszewski

July 7 (Bloomberg) -- The National Hockey League will play its second outdoor game at Chicago's Wrigley Field on Jan. 1, when the Blackhawks host the Stanley Cup-champion Detroit Red Wings, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

The game was approved last week when NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman met with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and officials from the Blackhawks and Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, the paper said, without citing the source of its information.

Wrigley Field got the bid over New York's Yankee Stadium, which is closing this year, the Star Tribune said.

In the NHL's first outdoor Winter Classic earlier this year, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres in a shootout on New Year's Day in front of a league-record crowd of 71,217 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, New York.

pat venditto · 07-07-2008, 01:21 PM

gordon gekko · 07-07-2008, 01:23 PM

should be interesting.

cobra_king · 07-07-2008, 01:24 PM

This game should really be played in mid february when there is no chance that it will be rained out. Jan 1st still falls into that danger category of being above freezing and rain and one of these years that is exactly what will happen.

Deuce · 07-07-2008, 02:27 PM

Worst day of the year to play on, also horrible place to play. Soldier field would have been better.

bigboydan · 07-07-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

Worst day of the year to play on, also horrible place to play. Soldier field would have been better.

I agree in regards to be a bad day to play this game on sir. However, I'll be watching this game for sure though. I'll admit I'm curious to see how this even will be turn out in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.

element1286 · 07-07-2008, 08:11 PM

I went to the one last year in Buffalo and it was amazing. The NHL should keep this up, just a great atmosphere to watch a game in.

mathdotcom · 07-07-2008, 09:24 PM

How will they do this at Wrigley? Ballpark doesn't really work for hockey.

Deuce · 07-07-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathdotcom

How will they do this at Wrigley? Ballpark doesn't really work for hockey.

.

I suggested "The Big House" in Ann Arbor. Wings vs. Leafs. Would easily sell 110k tickets. Would be an amazing atmosphere.

element1286 · 07-07-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

.

I suggested "The Big House" in Ann Arbor. Wings vs. Leafs. Would easily sell 110k tickets. Would be an amazing atmosphere.

A good idea. But I think they want to get the Chicago market more involved in hockey, especially with the up and coming players they have.

louisvillekid · 07-07-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by element1286

I went to the one last year in Buffalo and it was amazing. The NHL should keep this up, just a great atmosphere to watch a game in.

when i read this thread, i knew there was a game outdoors this past year on TV, i couldn't think of who played though.
now you jogged my memory.

Saunders FTW · 07-28-2008, 04:18 AM

white2devine7 · 07-30-2008, 05:55 PM

Seeing how popular the Winter Classic was last year, having another one is a great idea.

Cappy · 07-30-2008, 06:09 PM

old school style, I'd go to the game