Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Outdoor Hockey

Happy New Year! Hoping 2008 is better than 2007

On January 1st, NBC and the NHL played their hopefully annual "Winter Classic" featuring Sidney Crosby and The Pittsburgh Penguins and The Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo. There was something about watching a hockey game in the elements that made the game a little more fun. Both NBC & The NHL did a great job in the broadcast. But the atmosphere stole the show. 70,000+ screaming fans, falling snow and ski-caped goalie made a lasting impression and reminded me what the NHL has to offer.

Hockey isn't for everyone. But if the NHL can carve more of a niche and get more casual fans to tune in, they will be on their way to better fortunes. If you missed this game, you really missed out on something different. And as for the hockey itself, the elements added to the excitement. When The Penguins scored in the first minute, to my surprise, I thought it could turn into a scoring-fest, but just one other goal in regulation was scored, which is what I thought what was going to happen.

The NHL couldn't ask for a better outcome - 1-1 tie in regulation, scoreless, exciting 5 minute 4 on 4 overtime period and the game ended with a shoot out, Sidney Crosby beating Ryan Miller to win the game.

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