I think it would be interesting if teams had one annual game outdoors in their hometown every season for every NHL team. It's something new and draws some interest maybe from fans that wouldn't have come to any other game. I know the Bruins have thought about it and may do it. Buffalo and Pittsburgh already have ventured it and it seems to have worked. It might not work for teams in states that don't have that winter atmosphere but it's still an interesting idea.
How can you see a puck from that far away? Especially at ground level where the game is obscured due to the walls of the rink? Good idea yes but the logistics required to make it work make it a trifle difficult.
The Montreal-Edmonton outdoor game a couple seasons back was really great to watch (the temperature was below -30 if I remember correctly). This Buffalo-Pittsburgh one has been designed specifically to try and market the game towards American viewers, but I'm not sure how well it'll work. Once the novelty of something different wears off, I doubt there'll be much left to entice viewers. The reason it worked well in Canada is because it appeals so well to childhood backgrounds of playing hockey on outdoor rinks/ponds. That doesn't apply as much in the US.
I'm not a hockey fan at all, but I must admit something about it seems cool. I don't know if I'd watch the whole game or anything, but I'd check it out.
I for one cant wait to watch this....Just couldnt pick a worst time to play it. If they are trying to reach out to new viewers, why pick New Years Day?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Dec 29 2007, 01:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Montreal-Edmonton outdoor game a couple seasons back was really great to watch (the temperature was below -30 if I remember correctly). This Buffalo-Pittsburgh one has been designed specifically to try and market the game towards American viewers, but I'm not sure how well it'll work. Once the novelty of something different wears off, I doubt there'll be much left to entice viewers. The reason it worked well in Canada is because it appeals so well to childhood backgrounds of playing hockey on outdoor rinks/ponds. That doesn't apply as much in the US.</div> MSU had like 74,000 plus when they played Michigan in Spartan Stadium a few years back. Plus they are talking about a remach in the Big House, and maybe even a double header in Ford Field with the Wings, as a trial run for the Frozen Four. Wiscy and Minn also played a game in Lambeau after that. So yea playing outside only appeals to Canadians
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shookem @ Jan 2 2008, 10:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>pretty crappy game but fun to watch all the same.</div> Any game the Pens win is a good game
The quality wasn't all that great, but I don't the NHL could've wished for a better result. The "Golden Boy" scores the game-winner in an OT shootout. I enjoyed the game.
Interesting to watch them playing in the snow. In typical NHL fashion, though, the executives of the league completely baffle the coaches, players, and announcers with all of the end-switching. The NHL is its own worst enemy. Still, good to see 70k+ fans there, even if a big chunk of that was Canadians who made the trek.
