Winter Classic

[DTro]

Not a huge hockey fan, but what do you think about this Winter Classic they are running right now on NBC.

Gimmick?

I know there's been quite a few major games played outside, but from the casual fan's viewpoint, it seems pretty cool. Especially the conditions right now. The snow is coming down full force.

[Team Otter]

I like it and wish they'd do more of it. Nice to see some change from time to time. It helps with fan interest if anything.

[papabear]

It is a gimick but not a cheesey one. I think it is great for some os us older guys who can remember practicing and playing outdoors. But the greatest part is the crowd, man that gives me shivers to hear, even on tv, the roar of that crowd.

[buzbunni]

It's great. I love that the weather is kinda rough. I was thinking maybe they should play with a tennis ball !

[jwhjr]

I think it's great. It's nice to see the pros adjust to "adverse" conditions instead of playing in near perfect conditions all of the time. Takes them back to how they played the game growing up out on the pond...

[papabear]

I liked Crosbys adjustment to snow on the ice, bounce the puck up in the air on his stick

[Team Otter]

Quote:

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I was thinking maybe they should play with a tennis ball

!

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Or an orange "foamie".

[maros91]

I think they should do it in Minnesota but we have no outdoor stadium yet. Maybe the Twins new stadium can do it. Have it at Leech Lake with the eelpout festival going on right next door. Have people ice fishing right outside the boards. It will never happen but fun to think about.

[papabear]

That is sad that the State of Hockey couldnt host this event. I saw asign in the stands proclaiming Buffalo the real hocketytown and I did think this should be in MN but where? Duluth, St Cloud?

[hoppe56307]

I hear on the radio that the plans are already in the works that when the noew gohpers stadium opens they will have college hockey and then the wild play after, with that being said, i think i better get inline aleady

[TR0PHYPHISHIN]

I liked how the announcers kept talking about how cold it was there and it was like 25. They are in for a treat if minnesota host a winter classic!

[papabear]

That would be a great time. Yeah 25 degrees with a windchill in the teens, Ooohh nooo. Cant wait for MN to host one and show them what real cold can be. We will also show them what real hockey fans are like.

[Team Otter]

You never know; it can rain in January too.

[papabear]

thanks for raining on my hockey game

[PierBridge]

Cool slide show!

In Picture 6 it looks like they are using Fishtrap Voyagers.

And in picture 9 it looks like Dtro and some of the Belle Plain Catfish league guys made the trip down for the game.... and picture 2 confirms this.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/flash/zoomGallery?section=gen&photoGalleryId=3176292