After dealing with in-laws all day I figure I've pretty much run out of time to put down some thoughts about the Winter Classic experience. I say experience because that's really what it was. It was the NHL's big event and it didn't disappoint.
To save time, I'll just mention a couple things that have stuck with me. I've got a set of Winter Classic photos posted in the multimedia section of the site.
I stopped for gas just east of Battle Creek on I-94 sometime around 9:30 PM on my way home. I got out of the car still wearing my Winter Classic scarf and lanyard over a vintage Steve Yzerman jersey (1991-92 edition, not the new throwbacks). Before I even had time to get the gas pumping a guy had come over from the other side of the pump to ask me if I had gone to the game. He was excited enough about the event that he was willing jump out of a warm car into the cold and ask a total stranger about it. I get on the NHL all the time but good on them for creating that kind of interest.
Also of the "lengths people will go to for this game" note... The two guys to my left during the game were a 'Hawks fan and a Flyers fan who flew down from Edmonton to go to the game. It's a testament to their dedication and the game's draw that fans would make that kind of trip.
It was slightly disappointing to hear the 'Hawks fans, even as their team was hosting such a positive event, repeatedly resorting to the "Detroit sucks" chant. I just don't get some teams' fans' obsession with hating their rivals more than cheering for their own team. I don't know why I expected better just because this game was different but I did. Every Chicago fan I talked to was great fun, though. There are places where it's not safe to be a road fan but this was not one of them.
The question I was asked most by family afterwards was "Was it worth it?" Absolutely. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
I'm kicking off this thread a day early 'cause it's a big deal.
Camera batteries are charging, travel plans are made, tickets are sitting on my desk. I'm ready.
The teams get to skate on the Wrigley Field ice today, reports on that should be coming in shortly.
The big storyline of the 'Hawks trying to catch the Wings in the standings is pretty much gone but you can bet that Chicago will want some payback after how they went down in Detroit.
Lineup notes thus far: Conklin gets his third outdoor start for his third different team. Lidstrom and Samuelsson expected to play but nothing's confirmed.
Man, I hate to be the downer, but I think Kirk Maltby should spend the rest of his career in the minors. But that would make me feel bad for the Griffins.
So, everyone keep their fingers crossed that he's the one out, if any 
Made it to Wrigley. Tons of Wings fans here. Very cold but I don't think its as bad as the Cold War.
Every Wing is taking the pregame skate. I still don't know who's out.
This is soooo cool. I wish I could've gone. The jerseys look good. 
Better than I imagined them. I really love how Detroit's socks look
Game should start soon!
That penalty was stupid.
What a mother. 5 on 3 for the Hawks cause there were too many guys on the ice.
Hawks get the first goal of the game on the powerplay. Scored by...Versteeg? Is that his name?
What a crap start to the Winter Classic by the wings. Two penalties then a Hawks goal. sh*t.
Samuelsson ties it up on the powerplay!
Get in there Samuelsson!
Lebda gets a delay of game penalty. =/
Ahahahahahaha! I just saw Babcock He looks pretty schnazzy.
ed- Wow, NBC has a lag compared to CBC
Havlat with another powerplay goal for the Hawks. Damn it ):
Lilja gets a penalty. This is kind of silly.
Oh sh*t. Looks like it's all about the special teams today.
3 - 1 Hawks now. Eager scored. Less than a minute left.
Awful cheat by Conklin on the third goal.
Blackhawks fans next to us are great.
Oh dear. Down 3-1 going into the first intermission.
Hudler makes it 3 -2
Good start to the second period.
Yes Hudler!
Hudler gets his second to tie it up Awesome.
Hudler eventually gets it in. All tied up!
Datsyuk with an amazing goal
Wings with the lead for the first time in the game.
Woooooo!!! Dastyuk puts the wings in front!
Much better period, moving the puck better.
Drunk 'Hawks fans have a better reason to be now.
Rafalski gives the Wings a two-goal lead
Lebda makes it a three goal lead! After much debate, of course.
Khabibulin into the net.
Oh yeah!
The sun coming out should make things interesting.
I thought they had to switch at the halfway point of the third period?
I thought they had to switch at the halfway point of the third period?
I was under that impression, and that there'd be some sort of hockey version of "let's go out to the ballgame", but I had to miss most of the period. Keith scores a consolation, but the Wings win 6-4.
that there'd be some sort of hockey version of "let's go out to the ballgame"
But there was one of those. XD
ed- Not a very good one, I forgot to add.
that there'd be some sort of hockey version of "let's go out to the ballgame"
But there was one of those. XD
Damn, I missed it. What was it like?
Damn, I missed it. What was it like?
All I remember was 'Take me out to the hockey game, take me out to the rink'
and 'And it's one! Two! Three pucks, you're out' I think that's what it was, because I thought it didn't make too much sense.
Thawing out in Wrigleyville. That was totally worth it. I'll try to put notes together later.
Damn, I missed it. What was it like?
All I remember was 'Take me out to the hockey game, take me out to the rink'and 'And it's one! Two! Three pucks, you're out' I think that's what it was, because I thought it didn't make too much sense.
Haha. I figured it wouldn't make much sense. I suppose it'll be on youtube in the next couple of days anyway.
Managed to make it back home without any problems. I'm still trying to figure out how to even put this experience into words. Even as someone who didn't like the idea of the Wings participating in the Winter Classic, I have to admit that it was a hell of an event.
Photos and notes to come tomorrow.
Early in the game I kept hearing about how the wind was a factor and did'nt give it much thought. As the game progressed I started thinking about the zillion pond games I played as a kid and how the wind really did make a difference. To anyone who has played or even just skated outdoors, think about how skating into the wind could be such a real chore. But coming back downwind... man, you could really fly!
Don't know what the actual conditions were rinkside, but Clark can let us know if he ever wakes up.
I'm awake... Kinda. Even after nine hours of sleep (I usually need only six) I'm definitely paying for yesterday's fun today.
From my spot it didn't seem like there was much wind. Later in the game it started blowing a bit but for the most part it seemed calm. On field could have been a different story.
Unrelated... Malik pointed out a quote from the U.K. that I think is fantastic and need to share.
The game was a peach. Viewed casually, hockey seems to be little more than high-speed chaos, the sight of 10 angry hornets chasing a dot. But this is a fundamentally tactical game, like chess with violence. The reason the sport loses so much on television is because the camera cannot keep pace with either the speed or the subtleties of the on-ice narrative. It's difficult enough when watching live, even from a position in the top tier of Wrigley Field. One minute the Chicago Blackhawks are leading the Detroit Red Wings by three goals to one, and the next minute...
Well, the next minute the Red Wings are showing the kind of ruthless, flowing brilliance they displayed in the summer against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the kind of stuff that won them the 2008 Stanley Cup. The Hawks themselves are a talented and exciting young hockey team and one that is improving at a rate that is a delight to the city which houses them. But today they were playing the Red Wings and today the Red Wings were something else entirely. They were nothing less than the standard to which all others must aspire. The game ended 6-4. The Blackhawks played well, certainly well enough to suggest that the future might well be theirs. But the future is not the present and at present all roads leading to next year's Stanley Cup are routed through Detroit.
Also unrelated... I've got 26 photos that'll be loaded onto the site shortly. Couldn't take too many 'cause my seats weren't in a good spot for on-ice photos and it was too cold to hold my camera.
Wrigley Field hosting the Winter Classic
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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