Comments on: NHL’S WINTER CLASSIC ONE FOR THE BOOKS

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:29:25 +0000

You guys forget the PENS.

Not original but close. Rabid fans and reeallyyyy creaky LOUD and happinin Igloo…(this year anyway till we to go to a new barn.)

By: Nagarajan Sivakumar

Nagarajan Sivakumar — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:55:44 +0000

Rick,
Great post - glad that you mentioned the Buffalo community’s support for the Sabres .

Shaun, thanks for not being a hockey fan. it is amazing how little people know about hockey and yet gripe about it’s
“faux grunting” - what ever that is supposed to mean.

May be this is how it is supposed to be - followed religiously in Canada and in places like Buffalo,Detroit, Denver,Minnesota,Philly and to a good extent in Boston, Chicago etc.

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are the best youth stars in the game today and i am glad that they are playing for a long suffering franchise like the Hawks. (especially to its most loyal fans)

By: shaun

shaun — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:00:36 +0000

The reason that NHL hockey never caught on with me is simple:

While I look forward to the Winter Olympics and the men and women’s hockey tournaments because of the beautiful play, pro hockey is too reminiscent of pro wrestling — a lot of faux grunting, groaning and punching.

Made worse is the fact that many fans relish these distractions.

By: Digital Publius

Digital Publius — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:59:33 +0000

Wow Rick,

You must really hate the Red Wings.

“In the northeast it is much better with civic pride in the Bruins, Sabers, and perhaps the Flyers allowing hockey to rise to a step above being considered as a “minor sport.” And, of course, the game in Canada is still followed as a religion.”

No mention of the Wings, the model franchise of the league, and home to THE most rabid hockey fans in the USA.

“They competed against the hated Montreal Canadians who featured equally legendary players like Guy LaFluer and Scott Lamaire as well as the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs.”

How about the production line featuring Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe, who though past his prime was still the best, and Alex Delvecchio and Frank Mahovlich? We just get an as well as the Detroit Red Wings? I know we have dominated this once proud rivalry of late, (we completely own the Hawks this season)But, as the young folks say, don’t hate, appreciate.

By: SeniorD

SeniorD — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:53:21 +0000

Brings back memories of the Buffalo SABRES (not Sabers check their Website), the storied French Connection line, Gup Worsley (last of the unmasked goalies), Jim Schoenfeld and others.

Now that is when hockey was exciting.

By: lionheart

lionheart — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:48:41 +0000

I can’t follow the puck on TV, so it’s no fun to watch. I’ve been to one live game, and it was much easier to follow the puck.

Unless they can figure out a way to make it easier to watch on TV, I don’t think they will ever grow their fan base.

Didn’t they used to highlight the puck? Why did they stop that? It was the only way I could follow it.

By: Mark J. Goluskin

Mark J. Goluskin — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:01:12 +0000

Great post! I am here in Los Angeles and a loooonnngggg suffering Kings fan. But I have always had a spot in my heart for the Black Hawks. Always loved the logo! My dream in my youth was to visit the Stadium. But, never did. Too bad! ALL the arenas now in the NHL are sterile. I missed the game because we were getting back from the Rose Parade. The Black Hawks lost the game, but I know won the hearts of many across the United States!

By: JWS

JWS — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:25:25 +0000

“…The game was much different back then. The players were much smaller, faster, better with the puck, and probably dirtier. The game itself was more wide open with speed being the key to victory…”

AS a former player and coach, I can say that one out of four ain’t bad. The players certainly were much smaller back then. Today, fourth liners are faster than most of yesterdays stars; almost everyone today can handle the puck well, as opposed to years (decades- I’m getting old…)ago, when the top stars were about it for “hands”; Dirty? I have to give that to todays group also, as years ago, most everyone respected everyone else, mostly because of being helmet-less.
Todays game was fun to watch, even for a Ranger fan. Maybe especially for a Ranger fan, as Detroit is everything the Rangers wish they were as a franchise…
Nice change of pace entry…