Outdoor Game in St. Loo...Warm, Rainy, and likely postponed

[thefoss1957]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl-war...9635--nhl.html

I beg your pardon in advance, here at CalPuck, for this rant...but...I feel compelled to unload...

This Blackhawk fan really despises these games on the regular season NHL schedule...save it for that OTHER useless exhibition, the NHL All-Star game.

These stupid gimmick games are bad enough in Canada, where frozen pond hockey IS traditional...it is arrogance itself, when these cash grab games are played in climate areas that FREEZING THE ICE is a problem. It is also unfortunate, that the Blackhawks are one of the premier gate draws, and are playing regularly in these ridiculous contests, and have to suffer both the risk of injury, to Blackhawk players, and the degradation in quality of play, due to sub-optimal ice. ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THAT THE 'HAWKS ARE A SUPERIOR GATE DRAW THE SPEED AND PRECISION AT WHICH THEIR OFFENSE OPERATES...crappy ice negates their very style, essentially, making these abominations a "throwaway" game. This is extremely unfair to the Blackhawks and their fans, especially when matched up against a clutch and grab "heavy" rival such as the Blows, where quality of ice won't disrupt their O-zone speed or passing, to the same degree.

Outdoor games should be relegated to mere exhibitions, and THIS fan would be happy NEVER to see another NHL game slowed down, in quality, because of Sun, Snow, Rain, Glare, Wind, or any other factor that would NOT exist in the controlled environment of a NHL arena. Sure, some arenas do have lesser quality ice than others, but, absent are the variations or changes in conditions that even simply switching ends in an outdoor game can entail.

[Five-hole]

I doubt the Hawks are going to drum up much sympathy from anybody, even though you have a point.

It kind of comes across like a wealthy, successful upper class snob whining about the unreasonable expectations of being the first child.

[RougeUnderoos]

Yeah fair enough. I don't like them much either, but I gotta admit the one in TO this weekend has been really good all around. The Geezer Game yesterday was by far the best one yet and there was real stick swinging and pushing and shoving between Gary Roberts and Kris Draper.

Today's game has been decent (despite the delay) and even Bryan Adams, that cheesy bastard, put on a good show.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Yeah fair enough. I don't like them much either, but I gotta admit the one in TO this weekend has been really good all around. The Geezer Game yesterday was by far the best one yet and there was real stick swinging and pushing and shoving between Gary Roberts and Kris Draper. .

And Lanny's photobomb

Spoiler!

[Heavy Jack]

The only thing that bothers me is how many times teams like the Blackhawks play in these games... It's like the 5th time. Hasn't hurt them either, 3 cups in the last decade - potentially 'and counting' - and I can't remember a major injury in one these games aside from the Crosby concussion and the unfortunate injury that happened to the lady in the Boston one I believe, though I'm sure I must be missing some.

The Flames/Habs Heritage classic from what seems like eons ago was amazing fun for this fan and the city - wish they would include more teams than the usual original 6 teams that seemingly get the opportunity annually while other teams are left out.

[Strange Brew]

Agree with HJ on the Flames/Habs Heritage classic. Most memorable sporting event I have attended in person.

[FireGilbert]

Nothing wrong with outdoor games. Personally I'd rather sit in a nice warm indoor arena with a good view but many fans seem to love them. For example my dad absolutely hated attending the Heritage Classic due to the weather and ridiculous lines.

Agreed they should mix up the teams a bit though, no need for the Hawks to be involved every year.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Agree with HJ on the Flames/Habs Heritage classic. Most memorable sporting event I have attended in person.

Yes but would you attend another one? I paid big money to go but I wouldn't go to the next one if it was free.

I actually would have left the game in the second if I didn't pay so much for the tickets. Terrible sight lines, freezing cold, terrible venue.

It's a good memory to have knowing you went to the first outdoor game in Calgary but I wouldn't attend another one.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

The only thing that bothers me is how many times teams like the Blackhawks play in these games... It's like the 5th time. Hasn't hurt them either, 3 cups in the last decade - potentially 'and counting' - and I can't remember a major injury in one these games aside from the Crosby concussion and the unfortunate injury that happened to the lady in the Boston one I believe, though I'm sure I must be missing some.

The Flames/Habs Heritage classic from what seems like eons ago was amazing fun for this fan and the city - wish they would include more teams than the usual original 6 teams that seemingly get the opportunity annually while other teams are left out.

I think i heard the other day that St Louis will be the 21st different team to play outdoors.

[Heavy Jack]

Marner just pots the 2-1 go ahead and I can't help but think what a guy like Johnny could/would do on a stage like a winter/heritage classic. Hope we see it and soon.

[Coach]

They need to do ONE. Every year. I hate the NHL doubling down on this thing and shoving it in everyone's faces.

There is a way to organize this so that all teams get one at some point, and they are played in winter conditions. Yes, only so many teams have such conditions, but you can bring the southern teams to play them. I'm sick of seeing the same teams.

Originally Posted by transplant99

I think i heard the other day that St Louis will be the 21st different team to play outdoors.

No one remembers half of them because they like 6 the one year or whatever.

The specific News Year Day game, has largely been the same teams.

9 "Winter Classics":
CHI - 3
PIT - 2
DET - 2
BOS - 2
WSH - 2
PHI - 2
TOR, NYR, BUF, MTL all with one but every one (except BUF I believe) has been involved in other versions of the ODR games.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Marner just pots the 2-1 go ahead and I can't help but think what a guy like Johnny could/would do on a stage like a winter/heritage classic. Hope we see it and soon.

Marner is amazing. I forgot how annoying Pierre McGuire is though. 3-1 now.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I think i heard the other day that St Louis will be the 21st different team to play outdoors.

And while this maybe true I'd like to see a better way of presenting them. When we played our 1 outdoor game it was against the Habs - and though it was amazing and fun - I know if it was against Edmonton or Vancouver it would mean that much more. They sometimes do get these right - this leafs/wings game is turning into an absolute treat - but if you look at the 3 Heritage classic games before the jets/oilers this year I just think that excitement wise we could do better than Habs/Oilers, Habs/Flames, Nucks/Sens

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Marner is amazing. I forgot how annoying Pierre McGuire is though. 3-1 now.

As much as I hate Hughson/Simpson and the like now I'll listen to them everyday then what NBC has to offer. Just reminds me of how bad the announcers are on NHL17... 'And he's gotten the puck'

And that's before considering the double dion beast that is Pierre 'Turtle turtle' McGuire

[SOMBRI]

I think they should stick this outdoor game to a full family fun All Star Weekend.

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[Manhattanboy]

WGMG is how superior NBC's coverage is compared to SN/CBC. Number of cameras, angles and overall better picture quality. Yes Maguire is annoying but their package is so much better. And thanks CRTC for forbidding me from getting NBCSN and ESPN. I am so much better a Canadian for your imposed cultural protection.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Yes but would you attend another one? I paid big money to go but I wouldn't go to the next one if it was free.

I actually would have left the game in the second if I didn't pay so much for the tickets. Terrible sight lines, freezing cold, terrible venue.

It's a good memory to have knowing you went to the first outdoor game in Calgary but I wouldn't attend another one.

The cold and everything was part of the experience for me and being at McMahon was fun. Not something I would do every year but a Canadian city should have one every 10 years or so. I would go that often.

[FireGilbert]

Haha the Leafs suck.

This might be the best outdoor game ever.

Edit: Wow, looked like interference. I'd be upset if that counted against the Flames. Off to OT now.

[Heavy Jack]

Been awesome - personally think that should be goalie interference with how they have been calling them this season... At the sametime Hossa's counted against us... Perry's counted...

[Coach]

3 on 3 pond hockey. This is pretty great.