A New Year’s Day Classic

(Posted this on yesterday’s thread early this a.m….cuz I was curious)

re: JOE OWENS and his FNOB from the ’73 video.

Figured there must be a reason for that. Turns out the Saints 11th round draft choice in ‘73 was running back James Owens of Auburn, who didn’t make the team

Evidently he lasted long enough to need a NOB jersey for at least one preseason game, though, which would explain the need for FNOB’s. And they never bothered to change JOE OWENS once James had been cut.

–Ricko

[quote comment=”308017″]link, everyone!

Nice job with the posts today (both here and over at link).

As far as modern technology at the game today, link so don’t get your hopes up for real-time reporting.[/quote]
You need to upgrade to one of these…
link

Yes, it’s a Photoshop contest, but it’s also pretty funny:

link

Re-post from last night…

link that Virginia Tech is wearing the throwbacks tonight…

[quote comment=”308023″]That link to the wings jersey labeled “winged wheel shoulder patches” is fake jersey that has been making the rounds on ebay. You can notice something is wrong with the outline around the “D” logo. I also think that the captain letters will be red and not white.[/quote]

thanks…the “questionable” sweater has now been removed as a link

as an aside, teebz isn’t 100% positive there will even be captaincy patches…but we’ll have to wait for the game to see for sure…

*on another note, be sure to read the link JTH posted (teebz’ blog)…he and i had crafted a much longer piece, but it was shortened considerably for UW–the version over on his blog goes much more in depth*

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

Watching the Outback Bowl, and it looks like Iowa is going to put a beat-down on the Ol’ Ball Coach. (Buckeye fan here, so always glad to see a Big Ten team do well. Except for those yellow and blue guys, that is, but no problem with that this bowl season.) I can’t help but be struck by one overwhelming conclusion, though, and that is how much better the Steelers would look if they went back to the more traditional block numbers. The Hawkeyes look exactly like a Steelers team should look.

Quiet new year here. Sometimes those are the besy kind.

N-E-Way, I’m not sure if this site has been linked here before, but if you go here…link

you can access the soccer kits of loads of euro clubs, going DEEP in the countries’ lower divisions.

If this hasn’t been linked here before, my New Year’s gift to all UW’ers.

If it has, enjoy again!

[quote comment=”308029″]A true Wings-Hawks hockey rivalry? That takes me back.

link

I was expecting more Hull vs. Howe, but I suppose Belfour and Roenick versus Yzerman and, um, Cheveldae will do. ;o)

[quote comment=”308030″][quote comment=”308029″]A true Wings-Hawks hockey rivalry? That takes me back.

link

I was expecting more Hull vs. Howe, but I suppose Belfour and Roenick versus Yzerman and, um, Cheveldae will do. ;o)[/quote]

God, where is Tim Cheveldae now? Some goalies are like pop stars…here one day and second string for the Johnstown Chiefs the next.

No offense meant, Kek!

Happy New Year all!

Kudos to both Pitt and Oregon State yesterday for both wearing dark colored jersey’s. Pitt in the home blues, and the Beavers in orange. Even though watching the game was like watching paint dry 3-0. It was cool to see them bust out dark jerseys head to head.

link

i’m likin the wings socks…

[quote comment=”308031″][quote comment=”308027″]mets and yankees put up the new jerseys with patch on their online shops…mets don’t have black away for sale anymore, so i assume that one is discontinued[/quote]

Correct — no more black “New York” jersey. But there’s still a black “Mets” jersey, which will now be eligible to be worn at home AND on the road.[/quote]

Its nice to see that the Mets put alot of thought and time into designing that patch. Thats probably the laziest and least imaginative patch I have ever seen.

link

What the h#ll is Nike Bauer?

Is that some sort of co-marketing, or did Nike acquire them and keep the name?

And for crying out loud, not another set of comments about the Mets!? Sheesh, there’s a whole tread on that nonsense from yesterday. Please can we focus on something else? You’re tainting the new year with another sh#tload of hoo-ha NYC-centric posts about a team that basically has no presence outside of its own burg. Thanks, move forward.

[quote comment=”308033″]Since Phil gave me a shoutout, I really want to thank him and Paul again for including me on this fun piece. It’s been a blast!

Just as a sidenote since Phil hyped my blog, I’ll pay it forward. Ricko has a great Benchies comic strip linked to his name that has Winter Classic overtones in it. Made me giggle as I know what it’s like to sit outside at sporting events in the dead of winter. Well done, Ricko![/quote]

Thanks, Teebz

I’ve been channel surfing, but has ESPN or ESPN2 even mentioned the Winter Classic this morning?

Phil, just as a sidenote, the Red Wings are wearing the captaincy letters. CBC just showed Niklas Lidstrom, and he has the “C” on his left shoulder.

With it being mostly cloudy, no one has eye black on yet either.

I am loving the Detroit socks and the striping on Chicago’s breezers for the Winter Classic. Sweaters are great as well.

Some notes:

– Don Cherry is out with the bleacher bums, and it took him about 10 minutes to go from the scoreboard to where Ron MacLean is standing 20 feet away. Everyone in the bleachers stopped him for a picture.

– The temperature currently is -4C, but with the wind it feels like -12C. They’re talking to Dan Craig, and the ice was chipping yesterday with it being so warm, but today sees the ice in great condition.

– Chicago is also wearing the captaincy designations. CBC had a feature on Patrick Sharp on the practice day yesterday, and he is wearing the “A”.

I’m so annoyed that I have to watch this game on NBC and not on CBC.

Hopefully, they will upload some of the pre-game stuff on the cbc website, in addition to Coaches’ corner.

game on

now…where’s waldo?

Oh man, the Winter Classic is just easy on the eyes.

the “Bridgestone Winter Classic” is being brought to you by “bridgestone”

boy i can’t wait to hear that 200 more times today

[quote comment=”308031″][quote comment=”308027″]mets and yankees put up the new jerseys with patch on their online shops…mets don’t have black away for sale anymore, so i assume that one is discontinued[/quote]

Correct — no more black “New York” jersey. But there’s still a black “Mets” jersey, which will now be eligible to be worn at home AND on the road.[/quote]

Paul, are they keeping the all black cap or might they start wearing the road cap with them like they did when the black jersey was first introduced?

They need to sell those hats that the Wings’ coaches are wearing.

[quote comment=”308057″]Finally, singers who get that a National Anthem is an ANTHEM…not a lament, not a torch song, not a dirge, not a blues ballad…

—Ricko[/quote]

Also, they withheld the temptation to get some pop/rap/country singer to do them.

[quote comment=”308051″]Clemson is wearing all orange for the Gator Bowl.[/quote]

And not looking very good. They are just too orange. If a college team is going to insist on going with a color-over-color, it needs to at least have a larger stripe or two on the pants and sleeves to break things up a little.

is #33 on the Blackhawks the one without the logo on his back (reebok…)

[quote comment=”308068″]is #33 on the Blackhawks the one without the logo on his back (reebok…)[/quote]

That would be Dustin Byfuglien (BUFF-Lee-En).

Rookie Kris Versteeg makes history as he scores the first goal.

That wasn’t that hard…Thanks to Paul & Phil for honing my uniwatch skills!

Great piece on Kris Versteeg from the NHL!

He wears the word “smile” on the inside of his gloves. His dad tells him to smile on the ice because he looks so angry all the time.

There’s also a long acronym below the word “smile” reminding him of that he should smile more and to remember where he came from.

Fabulous work on the CBC side!

Noticed Buff had it on in the pregame skate. My guess is it was most likely temporarily put on the jersey then removed when he got on the ice. I noticed it at the first whistle, he was skating towards Huet as he was covering the puck up.

[quote comment=”308071″]Yes, the answer is 33 Dustin Byfuglien. He was involved in a replay of a goal and he clearly is not wearing the Reebok logo on his back. Happy New Year[/quote]

Byfuglien was just involved in a skirmish in front of the Detroit net, and it’s very obvious.

By the way, I really like the missing logo. The back of the jersey looks so clean. It should be missing from every jersey. ;o)

buff is making the most of his ice time…how many people have noticed it by now and are just zeroing in on him (besides me)…

all sweaters should be so purdy

Brent Seabrook from Chicago is wearing the eye black… even though it’s overcast.

[quote comment=”308082″]Brent Seabrook from Chicago is wearing the eye black… even though it’s overcast.[/quote]

Mikael Samuelsson, the goal scorer for Detroit, is also wearing eye black.

[quote comment=”308084″][quote comment=”308082″]Brent Seabrook from Chicago is wearing the eye black… even though it’s overcast.[/quote]

Mikael Samuelsson, the goal scorer for Detroit, is also wearing eye black.[/quote]

Ok, lots of Detroit players are wearing the eye black. Brett Lebda just got nailed, and he’s got enough on to be a high school football player made fun of by Bryan. LOL

[quote comment=”308084″][quote comment=”308082″]Brent Seabrook from Chicago is wearing the eye black… even though it’s overcast.[/quote]

Mikael Samuelsson, the goal scorer for Detroit, is also wearing eye black.[/quote]

With the white-gray overcast sky, and the diffused daylight on the ice sheet and the snow around it, there’s probably more glare than you’d think. Certainly more than an indoor arena.

[quote comment=”308062″]They need to sell those hats that the Wings’ coaches are wearing.[/quote]

The fedoras were an idea in place of wearing toques to represent the “old-tyme hockey” feel. Mike Babcock called Lindy Ruff, coach of the Sabres, and asked him about his experience.

Apparently, Ruff told him to make sure he keeps his head warm. LOL

All I know is that if the Avs are ever involved in one of these, I’m going to go broke in an attempt to go.

My girlfriend is a Red Wings fan, and we’re both kicking ourselves that we don’t have enough cash right now to have gone 90 miles down the road for this game.

live webcam outside Wrigley- very sharp and clear:

link

Coach’s Corner coming up. I’ll be glued to my TV for the next 17 minutes

By the way, intermissions at today’s game are 17 minutes rather than the standard 15 minutes due to the long walks back to the dressing rooms.

My heavens, just saw the plug for the “Reebok Lost Logo.” Somewhere in NY, PL’s head is exploding off his shoulders.

[quote comment=”308059″]I have yet to determine if it is the Bridgestone workdmark, but something has definitely been added to the players’ patches on their jerseys. It looks a heckuva lot link.[/quote]

looks ok to me teebz

at least they didn’t ruin the patch

[quote comment=”308101″][quote comment=”308059″]I have yet to determine if it is the Bridgestone workdmark, but something has definitely been added to the players’ patches on their jerseys. It looks a heckuva lot link.[/quote]
Its slightly edited in that the bottom part is not slanted upward and now runs parallel to the ground a la the Bridgestone logo at center ice
link to me teebz

at least they didn’t ruin the patch[/quote]

My guess? They’ll exhaust the stereotypical “winter U.S.” markets (and not repeat any teams) first.

Better to think in terms of new teams in places such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Minnesota, Colorado, Washington. Blue Jackets just aren’t a big enough name to make Columbus a likely candidate (although 100,000+ people at a hockey game sure is an intriguing notion, isn’t it). Detroit and Pittsburgh markets might lose out because their teams have already played a Winter Classic.

Just sayin’…and trying to think like they’d think.

—Ricko

[quote comment=”308105″]
Just sayin’…and trying to think like they’d think.[/quote]

I’d like to see a Winter Classic game in St. Paul, Minnesota between the Wild and the Dallas Stars.

That would sellout in minutes. Guaranteed.

[quote comment=”308107″][quote comment=”308105″]
Just sayin’…and trying to think like they’d think.[/quote]

I’d like to see a Winter Classic game in St. Paul, Minnesota between the Wild and the Dallas Stars.

That would sellout in minutes. Guaranteed.[/quote]

If that were to happen I’d make every attempt to fly there from Dallas for the game.

[quote comment=”308101″][quote comment=”308059″]I have yet to determine if it is the Bridgestone workdmark, but something has definitely been added to the players’ patches on their jerseys. It looks a heckuva lot link.[/quote]

link to me teebz

at least they didn’t ruin the patch[/quote]

But what’s the little wordmark at the bottom? It wasn’t on link, and doesn’t appear to be the words “Wrigley Field”.

The patch definitely says Wrigley Field.

[quote comment=”308114″]Jimmy Guns is thinkin, “didn’t have to paint myself like a clown before NBC bought us.”[/quote]

cuz he’d never look ridiculous on TWC feeds…lol

My 12-year old son just walked into the room and remarked that he thinks Clemson’s orange-over-orange are “really cool.” Kids these days.

[quote comment=”308066″][quote comment=”308051″]Clemson is wearing all orange for the Gator Bowl.[/quote]

And not looking very good. They are just too orange. If a college team is going to insist on going with a color-over-color, it needs to at least have a larger stripe or two on the pants and sleeves to break things up a little.[/quote]

Agreed…blame Clemson for bowing to the Nike gods. The numbers could be bigger as well, and the helmets with all the big white tiger paws on the back make them look two-toned.

But new coach Dabo Sweeney has kept Clemson in more traditional uni combos, which includes wearing all orange in big games. They haven’t worn much purple since he took over, which should make Paul happy.

Uniforms aside, this is a great game. Much like last year, it very tight and if the fans are lucky we’ll need extra time to decide the outcome.

[quote comment=”308034″]Kudos to both Pitt and Oregon State yesterday for both wearing dark colored jersey’s. Pitt in the home blues, and the Beavers in orange. Even though watching the game was like watching paint dry 3-0. It was cool to see them bust out dark jerseys head to head.[/quote]

A 3-0 final is what teams deserve when they go dark vs. dark.

One more thing…it has occurred to me that football teams appear to use the back of the helmet like the back of a car…that’s where they put all the bumper stickers. Would they really clutter their bumper as badly as these helmets?

Be on the lookout today as you’re watching all these games. Georgia and Clemson are bad, although the bones and tiger paws are unique…same with Michigan State. Do you really need bones, flags, numbers, the NCAA sticker, the warning sticker, etc? Ugly!

Idea…creatively use the front bumper for one of the traditional back-of-the-helmet stickers…aso the back bumper. Does the back bumper HAVE to have the team name? Put the warning label, NCAA sticker, and number there.

Anybody know if Huet’s helmet is special for this game or has he been wearing a Wrigley sign on his lid all season?

[quote comment=”308127″]Anybody know if Huet’s helmet is special for this game or has he been wearing a Wrigley sign on his lid all season?[/quote]

i was thinking to same thing
my guess is that its special for the classic

[quote comment=”308109″][quote comment=”308107″][quote comment=”308105″]
Just sayin’…and trying to think like they’d think.[/quote]

I’d like to see a Winter Classic game in St. Paul, Minnesota between the Wild and the Dallas Stars.

That would sellout in minutes. Guaranteed.[/quote]

If that were to happen I’d make every attempt to fly there from Dallas for the game.[/quote]

Bet they’d be able to interview this guy in the stands…
link

Canada, that is.

[quote comment=”308122″][quote comment=”308118″][quote comment=”308107″][quote comment=”308105″]
Just sayin’…and trying to think like they’d think.[/quote]

I’d like to see a Winter Classic game in St. Paul, Minnesota between the Wild and the Dallas Stars.

That would sellout in minutes. Guaranteed.[/quote]
Oh man, I would absolutely love to see a North Stars throwback hit the ice. And minnesota already have a gorgeous mock-throwback. I’m a bit miffed that we won’t have one of these is canada any time soon.[/quote]

Yeah, I kind of wish the Stars would use a North Stars throwback every so often, but to my knowledge they haven’t. Christmas 2007, I got a Modano green North Stars jersey that I wear to games.[/quote]

It would be weird to see the Wild wear throwbacks for another team in the league. I’d rather see them wear a Fighting Saints throwback.

[quote comment=”308134″][quote comment=”308132″]Wild-Stars would be a great game, but wouldn’t you have to play that one in Minneapolis? It doesn’t seem like there’s a stadium in St. Paul big enough to hold the game. And if you do play the game in Minneapolis, you would probably want to wait until 2011, when the Twins’ park would be ready (if you play it next year, you’d have to play it in the Gophers’ new stadium; being on campus, you probably wouldn’t be able to sell beer).

And with Vancouver, isn’t the main stadium there (where the BC Lions play) a dome?

My vote would be for having another Original Six matchup in Toronto, in the stadium where Toronto FC plays. I know you’ve got to try to grow the American market, but after two games in the U.S., it’s time to have one in Candada.[/quote]

There’ll be limited beer sales at new Gopher stadium but, truthfully, I don’t the current planned policy is going to hold up. And who knows if they’d exempt it for a non-NCAA event.

Sure would be a great venue, though.[/quote]
One idea I have heard thrown around is to hold “Hockey Day in Minnesota” (which is normally just 3 back to back broadcasts of college, high school, and NHL hockey games) at TCF Bank Stadium. High School in the AM, Gophers in the Afternoon, and Wild at night under the lights. One day, three games, all outdoor. I am betting they would allow alcohol sales in all seating areas during the NHL portion as it isn’t a NCAA event.

Don’t hold your breath about it going to Canada anytime soon. It isn’t one bit about “fairness”, it’s about TV numbers and WHERE they get those TV numbers. NHL conceived this to be their U.S. showcase, and they have succeeded. That’s exactly what they now have, an incredible showcase. Canada already is watching the game, and will as long as it’s played in cold weather, because outdoor hockey is just so much a part of Canadian life, of Canadian childhood. The “south of the border” appeal needs to maximized, that’s the point of the whole thing. The NHL won’t walk away from that. Eventually, sure, but not this early in the concept.

Oh, they might, though. Bettman’s that stupid, apparently.

I think a non-NHL, neutral site could work. It would just need to still be “hockey friendly.” As mentioned above, there’s Pens/Flyers in Happy Valley, which would likely sell out the 100,000. Same if you did Wings/Leafs in Ann Arbor or Hawks/Wild in Lambeau Field.

[quote comment=”308142″]I think a non-NHL, neutral site could work. It would just need to still be “hockey friendly.” As mentioned above, there’s Pens/Flyers in Happy Valley, which would likely sell out the 100,000. Same if you did Wings/Leafs in Ann Arbor or Hawks/Wild in Lambeau Field.[/quote]

That’s not quite neutral, though. It’s between Pittsburgh and Philly.

Winnipeg is nowhere close to Phoenix… or any other major NHL city for that matter.

[quote comment=”308142″]I think a non-NHL, neutral site could work. It would just need to still be “hockey friendly.” As mentioned above, there’s Pens/Flyers in Happy Valley, which would likely sell out the 100,000. Same if you did Wings/Leafs in Ann Arbor or Hawks/Wild in Lambeau Field.[/quote]

The Winter Classic, from NHL and NBC point of view, is about providing a great TV show for the U.S. market. Don’t expect a neutral site, anything other than cold weather U.S. sites, teams from smaller markets, weak franchises or teams who’ve already been in it. At least not for a while.

I’m saying this as adverstsing, sports PR guy now. They would be absolutely stupid to do anything else.

But, as I said, the NHL has been known to be stupid.

that “take me out to the hockey game” would have been less terrible had they stuck to the altered lyrics throughout.

awful.

I’m across the Atlantic, in Scotland, watching the Winter Classic on a satellite channel that gets NCAA sports, some ESPN “chat” and, in this case, the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast…

Must say the game seems much more visceral than the usual indoor fare. Very enjoyable. Sounds so much better too.

Not particular enjoying Huet’s somewhat fussy paintjob on the mask. When even the warm up hats got into the understated swing of things, it’s too garish.

Reebok’s appallingly bland wordmark on the hoardings seems to be more conspicuous than normal for something other than numerical reason.

Maybe the lighting.

My guesses for the next winter classic:

1. NY Rangers at Boston – Fenway Park
2. Boston at Philadelphia – Phillies Ballpark
3. Washington at New York Rangers – New Yankee Stadium

US TV markets – and a big stadium with a high certainty of selling out, and off course cold weather.

I think if I’m the NHL – I would be thinking of having a 2nd Canada only outdoor game on the the “Hockey Day” weekend – (i.e. when HNIC shows a triple header – Montreal/Toronto – at BMO).

I think they’re learning with each one of these, but it still strikes me as a high risk venture – i.e. a lot of things that could go wrong.

[quote comment=”308081″]The reebok hockey website isn’t even working.

Sad to see Adam Burish as one of the scratches for today’s game since he’s one of the few players with outdoor game experience.[/quote]

Ty Conklin the Detroit goalie has played in all three outdoor Nhl regular season games

Awesome to watch the outdoor game (despite my astonishingly terrible NBC signal without sound for half of it) and see the specialness on display. From the rousing anthems, to the classically beautiful Chicago uniforms, to the Wings’ coaches hats, to the fun everyone appeared to be having. Great stuff all around. Makes me yearn for that Panthers/Lightning matchup next year at Dolphins Stadium!!! I’d so be there!

One flaw I noticed in the special rules is that when the teams switch ends midway thru the third, the goalie would have to go the long way should he get pulled for an extra attacker. Score wasn’t close enough for that, but they should keep 2nd period sides for first 10min of third, then do the switch. They are using poor logic in their current setup.

Melrose and Barnaby were on First Take this morn to drum up viewers to watch. I didn’t hear if anyone else talked about it though, but at least it was mentioned.

Great comments today from everyone here too.

what was the capital “t” for on the back of fergie jenkins’ cubs hat at the winter classic? anybody know?

for the record, the word “reebok” was said a total of 14 times by the US broadcasters, not including commercials (there were 4 reebok commercials, by the way). not anywhere near as bad as i was expecting it to be.

overall, I was disappointed. Maybe it was because I was there last year, how no snow, a lop-sided score, how quickly the hitting subsided, a quiet (through the tv mics, anyways) crowd, how it wasn’t as good a game, or just that this has been done just a year ago, all detracted from the experience for me. it was cool…but i hope they don’t do this every year, just so it keeps something special about the whole event

Penn State-USC under the clear blue sky of Pasadena is indeed aesthetically pleasing. I just wish they had put a little more effort into the team’s Rose Bowl patches.

[quote comment=”308043″]I really like the Yankees’ stadium patch — very classy:

link

Teebz and other uniwatchers north of the border,

I’ve been trying to follow the comments but I am a little confused, was the game not shown on CBC in Canada? Living in the suburbs of Buffalo I had the benefit of watching the games on both NBC and CBC, I opted for NBC which had better picture quality and suffered through the less talented announcers.

I did watch Coaches Corner and as informative as Don Cherry can be his pro-Canadian or anti-American/Euro biased gets very old very quickly, especially for a man who jumped ship and took the offer to work for NBC and American markets during last years Winter Classic.

On the game itself, the uniforms were beautiful the scenery looked great, although I think an ice rink lends itself better to a football stadium for viewing from the stands.

And as an attendee of the game in Buffalo last year I can attest to how great of experience it was to be at the game and I hope they continue circulating the game around so other fans in other markets get a chance to enjoy it.

are the padres gonna wear a 40th anniversary patch this year? because their website has a logo all over it.

[quote comment=”308169″][quote comment=”308167″]LSU vs GEORGIA TECH

Is it just me, or did Georgia Tech’s navy blue jerseys look like a disgustingly excessive carnival of stripes and trim and patches and names and all the rest ….

They looked like an Arena Nine uniform – Podunk vs Exburbia[/quote]

Yes, Georgia Tech’s cluttered jerseys looked terrible. They are too far from looking like those European hockey teams.[/quote]

Agreed. Tech shouldn’t have let Russell outfit them in such monstrosities, especially when they wore such great throwbacks back in 2006. After such a successful year, they should’ve stuck with thier gold jerseys. Obviously, it’s why they were blown out!

BTW, Clemson’s jerseys today had more patches than Tech’s.

[quote comment=”308166″]Teebz and other uniwatchers north of the border,

I’ve been trying to follow the comments but I am a little confused, was the game not shown on CBC in Canada? Living in the suburbs of Buffalo I had the benefit of watching the games on both NBC and CBC, I opted for NBC which had better picture quality and suffered through the less talented announcers.

I did watch Coaches Corner and as informative as Don Cherry can be his pro-Canadian or anti-American/Euro biased gets very old very quickly, especially for a man who jumped ship and took the offer to work for NBC and American markets during last years Winter Classic.

On the game itself, the uniforms were beautiful the scenery looked great, although I think an ice rink lends itself better to a football stadium for viewing from the stands.

And as an attendee of the game in Buffalo last year I can attest to how great of experience it was to be at the game and I hope they continue circulating the game around so other fans in other markets get a chance to enjoy it.[/quote]

I watched the whole game on CBC.

Without Doc Emrick, NBC had nothing to offer me.

And with Vancouver, isn’t the main stadium there (where the BC Lions play) a dome?

Yes, but after the 2010 Winter Olympics, they will renovate BC Place to have a retractable covering (the covering would spool out from a center-hanging storage area — one of the World Cup stadiums in Germany has it). So, come 2012 or so, it could be a suitable venue.

My guess for next year is Rangers-Bruins, either at Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.

NHL should make pom-pom hats available for all teams

Am I the only one who thought the numbers on the backs of the Winter Classic unis were too hard to read? I’ll be particularly interested in what those who were at the game have to say.

[quote comment=”308077″]Okay, I’ll go ahead and ask the question…

Where–and between which two teams–would we like to see the Winter Classic next year?

—Ricko[/quote]

I would like to see Toronto-Montreal and the Boston-New York to get the all the orginal six teams. Then maybe start with the 69 expansion teams

[quote comment=”308135″][quote comment=”308122″][quote comment=”308118″][quote comment=”308107″][quote comment=”308105″]
Just sayin’…and trying to think like they’d think.[/quote]

I’d like to see a Winter Classic game in St. Paul, Minnesota between the Wild and the Dallas Stars.

That would sellout in minutes. Guaranteed.[/quote]
Oh man, I would absolutely love to see a North Stars throwback hit the ice. And minnesota already have a gorgeous mock-throwback. I’m a bit miffed that we won’t have one of these is canada any time soon.[/quote]

Yeah, I kind of wish the Stars would use a North Stars throwback every so often, but to my knowledge they haven’t. Christmas 2007, I got a Modano green North Stars jersey that I wear to games.[/quote]

It would be weird to see the Wild wear throwbacks for another team in the league. I’d rather see them wear a Fighting Saints throwback.[/quote]

I actually saw the Fighting Saints (not to be confused with the New Fighting Saints) play at Cobo Arena vs. the Michigan Stags.

VT in white throwbacks tonight for the Orange Bowl. Sadly, they’re not wearing the throwback helmets, too.

[quote comment=\”308174\”]And with Vancouver, isn’t the main stadium there (where the BC Lions play) a dome?

Yes, but after the 2010 Winter Olympics, they will renovate BC Place to have a retractable covering (the covering would spool out from a center-hanging storage area — one of the World Cup stadiums in Germany has it). So, come 2012 or so, it could be a suitable venue.

My guess for next year is Rangers-Bruins, either at Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.[/quote]

They won\’t go Rangers – Bruins because that kills two solid venue options with one game. Look for Boston to host the Habs (despite not being a US-based team, they transcend the sport) then NY can play someone – maybe Philly – the next year.

SB

[quote comment=”308189″][quote comment=”308183″]Cincinnati Bearcats going all-black tonight, black pants and jerseys.

Dolphin Stadium grounds crew will get a workout in the next seven days or so, Orange Bowl tonight, Dolphins playoff game Sunday, and BCS national championship next Thursday.[/quote]

they probably thought
oh its gunna be easy
there’s no way the dolphins are gunna get a playoff game[/quote]

Lots of empty seats upper and lower levels at dolphin stadium. Virginia Tech only sold 5,000 tickets out of 17,500 allotment. Cincinnati sold 13,000 out of 17,500.

[quote comment=\”308190\”][quote comment=\”308189\”][quote comment=\”308183\”]Cincinnati Bearcats going all-black tonight, black pants and jerseys.

Dolphin Stadium grounds crew will get a workout in the next seven days or so, Orange Bowl tonight, Dolphins playoff game Sunday, and BCS national championship next Thursday.[/quote]

they probably thought
oh its gunna be easy
there\’s no way the dolphins are gunna get a playoff game[/quote]

Lots of empty seats upper and lower levels at dolphin stadium. Virginia Tech only sold 5,000 tickets out of 17,500 allotment. Cincinnati sold 13,000 out of 17,500.[/quote]

Va Tech\’s unis look good
not so much Cincinnati

[quote comment=”308180″][quote comment=”308168″]are the padres gonna wear a 40th anniversary patch this year?[/quote]

Yes.[/quote]

Padres’ 40th anniversary logo

link

Is it really necessary for the “BCS on FOX” logo to be painted in the endzones??

[quote comment=”308193″][quote]Rangers/Islanders?[/quote]

i think the NHL is only considering actual nhl-caliber teams for the next one[/quote]

So the Lightning won’t be playing in one anytime soon?

OK, noticed in the Orange Bowl that Cincinnati’s helmets have a nice red undertone.

Knowshon Moreno had decal issues on his helmet G, where it started to tear on the top, and on his #2 on the back of his helmet, where the 2 rolled back on itself.

Other than that, nothing good to report.

[quote comment=”308190″][quote comment=”308189″][quote comment=”308183″]Cincinnati Bearcats going all-black tonight, black pants and jerseys.

Dolphin Stadium grounds crew will get a workout in the next seven days or so, Orange Bowl tonight, Dolphins playoff game Sunday, and BCS national championship next Thursday.[/quote]

they probably thought
oh its gunna be easy
there’s no way the dolphins are gunna get a playoff game[/quote]

Lots of empty seats upper and lower levels at dolphin stadium. Virginia Tech only sold 5,000 tickets out of 17,500 allotment. Cincinnati sold 13,000 out of 17,500.[/quote]
The tickets you could get from VT were $125 for upper level tickets…

You could scalp them for $30 from stubhub and outside the gate prior to the game…

thats the reason VT didn’t sell their allotment through the school

[quote comment=”308202″][quote comment=”308190″][quote comment=”308189″][quote comment=”308183″]Cincinnati Bearcats going all-black tonight, black pants and jerseys.

Dolphin Stadium grounds crew will get a workout in the next seven days or so, Orange Bowl tonight, Dolphins playoff game Sunday, and BCS national championship next Thursday.[/quote]

they probably thought
oh its gunna be easy
there’s no way the dolphins are gunna get a playoff game[/quote]

Lots of empty seats upper and lower levels at dolphin stadium. Virginia Tech only sold 5,000 tickets out of 17,500 allotment. Cincinnati sold 13,000 out of 17,500.[/quote]
The tickets you could get from VT were $125 for upper level tickets…

You could scalp them for $30 from stubhub and outside the gate prior to the game…

thats the reason VT didn’t sell their allotment through the school[/quote]

University Cincinnati was selling them for $125 also, so that can’t be used as an excuse.

[quote comment=”308204″][quote comment=”308202″][quote comment=”308190″][quote comment=”308189″][quote comment=”308183″]Cincinnati Bearcats going all-black tonight, black pants and jerseys.

Dolphin Stadium grounds crew will get a workout in the next seven days or so, Orange Bowl tonight, Dolphins playoff game Sunday, and BCS national championship next Thursday.[/quote]

they probably thought
oh its gunna be easy
there’s no way the dolphins are gunna get a playoff game[/quote]

Lots of empty seats upper and lower levels at dolphin stadium. Virginia Tech only sold 5,000 tickets out of 17,500 allotment. Cincinnati sold 13,000 out of 17,500.[/quote]
The tickets you could get from VT were $125 for upper level tickets…

You could scalp them for $30 from stubhub and outside the gate prior to the game…

thats the reason VT didn’t sell their allotment through the school[/quote]

University Cincinnati was selling them for $125 also, so that can’t be used as an excuse.[/quote]
UC has also never been to the BCS and their program was horrendous 5 years ago…

A bit of a different feeling for a team that was just there last year and playing a team that most don’t care about

[quote comment=”308207″][quote comment=”308206″][quote comment=”308204″][quote comment=”308202″][quote comment=”308190″][quote comment=”308189″][quote comment=”308183″]Cincinnati Bearcats going all-black tonight, black pants and jerseys.

Dolphin Stadium grounds crew will get a workout in the next seven days or so, Orange Bowl tonight, Dolphins playoff game Sunday, and BCS national championship next Thursday.[/quote]

they probably thought
oh its gunna be easy
there’s no way the dolphins are gunna get a playoff game[/quote]

Lots of empty seats upper and lower levels at dolphin stadium. Virginia Tech only sold 5,000 tickets out of 17,500 allotment. Cincinnati sold 13,000 out of 17,500.[/quote]
The tickets you could get from VT were $125 for upper level tickets…

You could scalp them for $30 from stubhub and outside the gate prior to the game…

thats the reason VT didn’t sell their allotment through the school[/quote]

University Cincinnati was selling them for $125 also, so that can’t be used as an excuse.[/quote]
UC has also never been to the BCS and their program was horrendous 5 years ago…

A bit of a different feeling for a team that was just there last year and playing a team that most don’t care about[/quote]

VT has quite the fan base, guys.

Hokie fans are some of the best in college football.

Anyway, back to watch my Hokies take on the ‘Cats in their beautiful throwbacks!

Happy New Year everyone! I haven’t been as actives as I’d like to be lately (here on UWthanks to the new house…did more painting today)…. but I’m still checkin everything out!

See ya when I see ya! GO HOKIES![/quote]
GO HOKIES

I would like to see in 2009

Montreal vs Boston at Fenway

2010

Vancouver vs Calgary as mentioned above

2011

New Jersey vs New York Rangers at New Yankee Stadium

2012

Colorado vs Minnesota. Either team wold be a great host

Man I love the VT throwback unis. I wish they went with them full time. So beautiful (except of course the half shoulder loops).

[quote comment=”308212″]Man I love the VT throwback unis. I wish they went with them full time. So beautiful (except of course the half shoulder loops).[/quote]

Half-loops don’t bother me for some reason.

Kamloops does bother me though… damn Canada.

[quote comment=”308205″]Anyone check out the new MLB Network yet? (Ch. 213 for all you DirecTV viewers)

I watched a little bit with Don Larson and Yogi talk about Larson’s perfect game, and they showed a lot of the original broadcast. Pretty sweet images going on if you ask me. Also, Larson divulged that he didn’t realize he threw a perfect game until after he got in the clubhouse…classic!

The studio where they did these interviews is set up like a baseball stadium where in guests are at the pitchers mound and the audience is in the “stands”. Also, they call the studio “MLB Field”. I highly recommend checking this network out if you have access to it.[/quote]

I watched the “hot stove live” show at 6pm. My only gripe so far is the fact that they are re-airing that 6pm show and don larsen’s perfect game all the way until sometime tomorrow afternoon before airing other programs.

[quote comment=”308203″][quote comment=”308182″][quote comment=”308077″]Okay, I’ll go ahead and ask the question…

Where–and between which two teams–would we like to see the Winter Classic next year?

—Ricko[/quote]

I would like to see Toronto-Montreal and the Boston-New York to get the all the orginal six teams. Then maybe start with the 69 expansion teams[/quote]
The NHL expanded in 1967, not 1969.[/quote]

I meant 67.

[quote comment=”308215″]that’s it…as of now, we’re cutting your salary in half!
[/quote]
So how much do I owe you guys now?

[quote comment=”308170″][quote comment=”308169″][quote comment=”308167″]LSU vs GEORGIA TECH

Is it just me, or did Georgia Tech’s navy blue jerseys look like a disgustingly excessive carnival of stripes and trim and patches and names and all the rest ….

They looked like an Arena Nine uniform – Podunk vs Exburbia[/quote]

Yes, Georgia Tech’s cluttered jerseys looked terrible. They are too far from looking like those European hockey teams.[/quote]

Agreed. Tech shouldn’t have let Russell outfit them in such monstrosities, especially when they wore such great throwbacks back in 2006. After such a successful year, they should’ve stuck with thier gold jerseys. Obviously, it’s why they were blown out!

BTW, Clemson’s jerseys today had more patches than Tech’s.[/quote]

DITTOE !!!

Georgia Tech’s OLD GOLD throwbacks werel AWESOME !!! In design and in the color.
Why can’t these teams and AD’s and coaches GET A CLUE !!!

[quote comment=”308212″]Man I love the VT throwback unis. I wish they went with them full time. So beautiful (except of course the half shoulder loops).[/quote]

There’s a special place in PURGATORY for the idiot that created the shortened , truncated UCLA stripes. Hopefully he will find there the greedy SOB that got the idea to make people pay for AIR and WATER at gas stations.

ALSO, NOT UNI-RELATED ….

Is it just me or does FOX’s TV broadcast have a constant aggravating HUMMING sound throughout the audio – is it the Fed Ex Blimp or something ?

Can’t the cheapos at FOX tune the sound to get rid of that. It is HORRIBLE !!!

[quote comment=”308218″][quote comment=”308203″][quote comment=”308182″][quote comment=”308077″]Okay, I’ll go ahead and ask the question…

Where–and between which two teams–would we like to see the Winter Classic next year?

—Ricko[/quote]

I would like to see Toronto-Montreal and the Boston-New York to get the all the orginal six teams. Then maybe start with the 69 expansion teams[/quote]
The NHL expanded in 1967, not 1969.[/quote]

I meant 67.[/quote]
I just thought you meant that there have been, like, 69 expansion teams.

[quote comment=”308173″]Hull was drunk, Sandberg only knows Harry Caray’s barely-understandable singing, and Mikita is a Czech, a very non-baseball country. Just be thankful they got through it without any major problems.

Mikita was sent from then-Czechoslovakia to Canada to live with relatives when he was eight. He’s lived in the Chicago area since he retired. Mikita knows baseball.[/quote]

I thought it would be obvious that Hull wasn’t drunk, Sandberg knows the words, and that Mikita was doing well.

Note to Teebz: add the sarcasm tags. ;o)

[quote comment=”308227″][quote comment=\”308210\”]I would like to see in 2009

Montreal vs Boston at Fenway

2010

Vancouver vs Calgary as mentioned above

2011

New Jersey vs New York Rangers at New Yankee Stadium

2012

Colorado vs Minnesota.

Either team wold be a great host[/quote]

Why is everyone saying these should be played at baseball fields
I think they should be at football fields.. the sight lines in a football field are made for a playing field that is in a general rectangle while a baseball field has sight lines for a baseball field and last time i checked a baseball diamond isnt the same shape as a hockey rink[/quote]

great point…originally, the thought was to have the game at soldier field…but the bears balked immediately, foolishly assuming they’d be hosting a playoff game (and the rink would ruin the playing surface)…once soldier was off the table, wrigley quickly became the choice of chicago (also, wrigley wasn’t a given; yankee stadium I was strongly considered, which is where the baseball stadium aspect comes in…that idea was nixed by the yankees because they wanted the last event to be held there to be a baseball game)

after this, unless the next one is in the fens or new yankee stadium, i highly doubt they’ll consider a baseball stadium again

WAY TO GO HOKIES!!!!

Now, PLEASE… go with the throwbacks full-time next year!

so why can’t you work with the NFL to find a team (or schedule a team) to end their season with two away games, giving the NHL plenty of time to set up the rink?

i agree with your thoughts on pricing and such, but a football stadium’s dimensions would work so much better…and while the bleacher bums prolly didn’t mind paying what they did, based on JTH’s experience (and others im sure), those seats weren’t exactly prime seating

not trying to argue with you, just saying a football stadium would work better logistically for rink placement, and im sure they could make up for any lost ticket revenue through increased advertising (because they sure didn’t have enough this year)

[quote comment=”308234″]so why can’t you work with the NFL to find a team (or schedule a team) to end their season with two away games, giving the NHL plenty of time to set up the rink?

i agree with your thoughts on pricing and such, but a football stadium’s dimensions would work so much better…and while the bleacher bums prolly didn’t mind paying what they did, based on JTH’s experience (and others im sure), those seats weren’t exactly prime seating

not trying to argue with you, just saying a football stadium would work better logistically for rink placement, and im sure they could make up for any lost ticket revenue through increased advertising (because they sure didn’t have enough this year)[/quote]

Of course, Phil. No argument here either. Just saying that the NHL seems to be learning from their mistakes. ;o)

Because there aren’t enough guarantees in the scheduling that the NFL team you’re working with will miss the playoffs, I don’t think this will work. There is absolutely no way that the NHL will have their setup cleared out by Saturday which could pose major problems on both leagues.

If that team that ended their season on the road wins a home playoff game, the NHL is in a world of trouble in terms of their scheduling, and the NFL won’t move their playoff dates.

New England, for example, would never see a hockey game played at their stadium until Tom Brady dies or Bill Belichek forgets how to setup video cameras.

[quote comment=”308237″][quote comment=”308235″]
And why not do future Winter Classics in February or at the end of January? Maybe even make it part of the ASG weekend if possible? That would pretty much rule out any NFL conflicts.[/quote]

They asked one of the Red Wings about that today, and he said he’d prefer if the All-Star Game was played outdoors. But I digress…

The coldest temperatures in the northern US states are normally during this time of the year. It’s a safe bet that the ice will remain at its best if played in the dead of winter, as I play Mr. Obvious.

Because it was just barely below freezing in Chi-town today, moving it closer to the spring thaw only presents additional variables, such as unseasonal warm weather, that the NHL cannot control or limit.[/quote]

it’s a good thought, JTH…i’d add that now that the NHL has put on two great displays on NYD, people will start to catch on that “oh yeah…today is new years…they got that outdoor hockey thing today”…so ya won’t even have to think about when the game is…and based on how the NYD afternoon bowl games have gone (all the better bowls are later, anyway), it become a viable alternative

i think having this event on new year’s day (especially if it becomes a tradition — well on its way now)…it’s a good thing for hockey, and a great way to kick off a new year

[quote comment=”308239″]Hey, did you fellers ever resolve the Bridgestone-on-the-patch issue? (still haven’t caught up on all the comments.)

Look at link and go to the ninth photo. There’s a good closeup of Ty Conklin clearly showing that the patch says “Wrigley Field.”[/quote]

Yeah, Jay said that earlier. Good find, though, JTH. I now have photographic evidence that there was no advertising on these jerseys.

NHL uniforms in North America are still advertisement-free… aside from the Reebok logos. LOL

[quote comment=”308241″]Ooh, one thing I just remembered about the game today that struck me as somewhat odd: Gene Honda was the PA announcer.

It’s not odd that he was working a Blackhawks game — he’s their regular announcer. It’s just odd that he was doing it at Wrigley because he’s also the White Sox’ PA announcer.[/quote]

Sounds like Harry Caray. He jumped ship from the Sox as well, didn’t he?

Oops on that last one.
[quote comment=”308242″][quote comment=”308241″]Ooh, one thing I just remembered about the game today that struck me as somewhat odd: Gene Honda was the PA announcer.

It’s not odd that he was working a Blackhawks game — he’s their regular announcer. It’s just odd that he was doing it at Wrigley because he’s also the White Sox’ PA announcer.[/quote]

Sounds like Harry Caray. He jumped ship from the Sox as well, didn’t he?[/quote]
Yeah. And Steve Stone went the other way. He was the Cubs’ color guy for a long time, then he quit for a couple years and came back last year with the Sox.

But Honda is still (as far as I know) working for both the Sox and the Hawks.

[quote comment=\”308234\”]so why can\’t you work with the NFL to find a team (or schedule a team) to end their season with two away games, giving the NHL plenty of time to set up the rink?

i agree with your thoughts on pricing and such, but a football stadium\’s dimensions would work so much better…and while the bleacher bums prolly didn\’t mind paying what they did, based on JTH\’s experience (and others im sure), those seats weren\’t exactly prime seating

not trying to argue with you, just saying a football stadium would work better logistically for rink placement, and im sure they could make up for any lost ticket revenue through increased advertising (because they sure didn\’t have enough this year)[/quote]

i agree

or you could even play at a college stadium and that would solve the problem

[quote comment=”308246″][quote comment=\”308234\”]so why can\’t you work with the NFL to find a team (or schedule a team) to end their season with two away games, giving the NHL plenty of time to set up the rink?

i agree with your thoughts on pricing and such, but a football stadium\’s dimensions would work so much better…and while the bleacher bums prolly didn\’t mind paying what they did, based on JTH\’s experience (and others im sure), those seats weren\’t exactly prime seating

not trying to argue with you, just saying a football stadium would work better logistically for rink placement, and im sure they could make up for any lost ticket revenue through increased advertising (because they sure didn\’t have enough this year)[/quote]

i agree

or you could even play at a college stadium and that would solve the problem[/quote]

And in most cases, seat more… like the Big House in Ann Arbor.

link

What’s wrong with the statement? Read about how Garrison Hearst did the same thing Pennington did, only about 10 years sooner.