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This would be a good one for sure. Two classic franchises playing in a classic stadium.

They obviously could not pull together a Yankee Stadium deal.

They obviously could not pull together a Yankee Stadium deal.

Henry Steele
Kind of unfortunate. I don't think Bettman wanted it here in NYC. He should have really pushed for this. The Stadium has been home to a lot of events, it would have been nice to have a ho0ckey game as the last thing there...

BETTMAN S***S

Bettman's a jerk-off!

"the league's second outdoor Winter Classic?"

Would be nice if these d*opes did a little research before writting their articles. The Winter Classic was conceived in .....(are you ready?) Edmonton!!! ... by (you guessed it) your loveable, hugable, intrepid GM, Kevin Love!

They played two games that bitterly cold day at Commonwealth Stadium: the former Oiler greats (Gretzky, Messier, Fhur, etc.) against former Montreal greats, followed by the regular NHL game between those two teams!

But, I guess because it was a Canadian idea and it happened in a Canadian city first, it doesn't count! In the minds of the American media or even the NHL brass, it didn't happen! And, yeah, Buttman is an arse!

looking forward already

But, I guess because it was a Canadian idea and it happened in a Canadian city first, it doesn't count! In the minds of the American media or even the NHL brass, it didn't happen! And, yeah, Buttman is an arse!

DCruiser

That's the American way...if it wasn't invented here, and can't be marketed and merchandised and sponsored 9the Aflac trivia question, the LIPA Power Play...AAARRRGGGHHH!!!) there's no interest.

CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW MUCH BETTMAN S***S

While I like the idea of a Wings / Hawks outside game for a classic ...I have to agree..this should have been a NY Yankee stadium deal. Would be great to see that stadium go out with something like this.

Would be great to see that stadium go out with something like this.

mhwings | 07/07/08,

Right. We had 3 Popes here, but Bettman couldn't get this done?

WHAT GRETZKY IS TO HOCKEY
WHAT BABE RUTH IS TO BASEBALL
WHAT WILT CHAMBETLAIN IS TO BASKETBALL
BETTMAN IS TO S***ING

Would be nice if these d*opes did a little research before writting their articles. The Winter Classic was conceived in .....(are you ready?) Edmonton!!! ... by (you guessed it) your loveable, hugable, intrepid GM, Kevin Love!

DCruiser | 07/07/08, 10:31 AM

It'd actually be nice if you knew what you were talking about before speaking. The first ever Winter Classic was held in Buffalo between the Sabres and the Penguins of Pittsburgh. The event of which you speak, called the Heritage Classic, is an entirely separate event, and STILL not the first outdoor NHL game ever played. It was meant to showcase the "heritage" of the Edmonton Oilers, prior to an actual game. A precursor to the Winter Classic, maybe, but not the Winter Classic.

WHAT GRETZKY IS TO HOCKEY
WHAT BABE RUTH IS TO BASEBALL
WHAT WILT CHAMBETLAIN IS TO BASKETBALL
BETTMAN IS TO S***ING

What Borg is to tennis???

It was meant to showcase the "heritage" of the Edmonton Oilers, prior to an actual game. A precursor to the Winter Classic, maybe, but not the Winter Classic.

BuffaloTF

Still a simple bit of eveolution from to the next though, wouldn't you say?
For that matter, why not include the college game also (MIch/Mich St), wasn't that also before the 'Winter Classic"?
And should something happen somewhat regularly before they bestow the word 'Classic" on it? It's like "The 1st Annual...whatever"It isn't annual till happens again, I think.
Sorry, didn't mean to take off there...

IF S***ING WAS IN THE OLYMPICS>>>>>BETTMAN WOULD BE GOLDEN

By the way... if you need help figuring out what side of the border outdoor games in large stadiums started on, try looking in Michigan... called The Cold War, in a game between Michigan State and the University of Michigan. After you figure out that 2001 came before 2003, you'll realize Kevin Lowe is the ret*ard everyone else already knows he is.

What Borg is to tennis???

Oilers4Ever

Don't know if the young ones know him enough!

give me an "S"
Give me a "U"
give me a "C"
give me a "K"
give me an "S"

Who's that man? BETTMAN BETTMAN BETTMAN!!!

"It'd actually be nice if you knew what you were talking about before speaking. .... A precursor to the Winter Classic, maybe, but not the Winter Classic."
BuffaloTF | 07/07/08, 10:54 AM

----------------------------------------

In other words, it was the first ever outdoor NHL game .......... but it wasn't! That's kind of like saying, Buffalo won the Stanly Cup .... but it didn't (thanks to Brett Hull's infamous toe)!

Well, TF, I don't blame you for wanting Buffalo to be recognized for being the first at something at least!

If anyone wants to REALLY split hairs, you can even go back to the 1960 Olympics

Has Buffalo won anything???

In other words, it was the first ever outdoor NHL game .......... but it wasn't! That's kind of like saying, Buffalo won the Stanly Cup .... but it didn't (thanks to Brett Hull's infamous toe)!

Well, TF, I don't blame you for wanting Buffalo to be recognized for being the first at something at least!

DCruiser | 07/07/08, 11:15 AM

It's funny that you keep trying to say that the Heritage Classic was the first-ever outdoor NHL game, when it wasn't. The idea was an American idea. First put into place... in America. It's kinda funny that, of all places, the first outdoor NHL game was played in LAS VEGAS in 1991.

NHL Pre-Season Exhibition
Las Vegas, Nevada
September 28, 1991
New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Attendance: 13,000

The Las Vegas strip provided the background for the first ever NHL exhibition game to be held outdoors. The Kings and the Rangers battled under the lights outside Caesars Palace in mid-80 degree temperatures. The game drew a crowd of 13,000, most of whom wore shorts and t-shirts to take it all in. "We were a little bit in awe and I'm sure (the Rangers) were, too," said the Kings' Wayne Gretzky about the outdoor game. "We kept looking at each other and couldn't believe we were playing hockey in 80-degree weather. But it was real nice.???

Has Buffalo won anything???

luv2likkclit | 07/07/08, 11:28 AM

AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965. NLL Championships in 1992, 1993, 1996, 2008. International League titles in baseball in 1933, 1936, 1938, 1947, 1949, 1957, 1961, 1998, 2002, 2004.

A good matchup. Hopefully get some new converts to hockey.

Did anyone else notice that the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest got more coverage than The Stanley Cup play-offs?!!! Geez.....

Hey, Spiny! Let's see how many pucks Bettman can eat in 10 minutes!