Winter Classic 2012: Skating into the New Year with Some Outdoor Hockey

I was born in Minnesota and have lived there twice, so I know all about the great games of pond hockey and broomball out on the ice. Everyone loves it. In 2008, the NHL had the crazy idea of playing a NHL game outdoors. Would it work? No one really knew for sure. Dan Craig, the man placed in charge of the game, didn't really know either. Craig said, "I was just going with my instincts."

The game gained so much success and recognition that the so called Winter Classic has now become an annual tradition. The game has taken place in Ralph Wilson Stadium (Orchard Park, NY), Wrigley Field (Chicago), Fenway Park (Boston), Heinz Field (Pittsburgh), and now this year the game is being played in Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Each year Craig and his crew have to figure out how to transform the outdoor stadium into a hockey rink fit for players to play on and for fans to easily watch. It's an elaborate project full of planning and preparation. You watch a time-lapse video of them transforming the stadium this year here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jBSAUOI3jA.

As I mentioned already, the game has garnished much interest from both the fanatical hockey fans and the curious onlooker. This has only increased due in large part to HBO. For the second consecutive year, the network is airing a four-part reality series entitled, "24/7: Road to the Winter Classic." The series looks into the lives of the NHL players involved and the game itself. Last year's series won an Emmy for outstanding edited sports special.

The point of the Winter Classic was to garnish this extra interest into the sport and gain viewership. Has this happened? While this is a complex question to answer, the answer does appear to be yes. According to Comcast, the Washington-Baltimore area experienced a significant 25% increase in viewership of the Capitals' home games they aired following the Winter Classic and corresponding HBO series.

Is this really a sustainable event? Is the NHL really committed to it? The answer to both of these questions appears to be yes as well. The NHL faced its biggest threat yet from Mother Nature when it rained during last year's much hyped game. Craig and his crew developed a plan to respond and were seen using large snow shovels to clear the water off during stoppages. In regards to this, Craig stated, "You can't control [the weather] but you can monitor it."

I fully support the Winter Classic. As a hockey fan, I think that it is great for the league. The increased viewership is important for the league. The more interest there is, the more money there is for improving the game. The increase in interest in the NHL is apparent in many ways. I have even seen it here on our blog. The blog post that has had by far (by about 100 views) the most views is my one on the NHL's future realignment. People are interested in the sport and the league.

I would encourage you to watch this year's game, which features the longstanding rivalry between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. The game can be seen on January 2 (Monday) at 1:00 PM EST on NBC. Also, if you get HBO (I don't), check out the series. It is bound to be entertaining as NHL players tend to have interesting personalities. Help start your New Year's off right with some NHL hockey outdoors, the way the game used to always be played.

Happy New Year!

From Manthan and Josh to you! Thanks for following us on "Fire Away Sports"!

http://lssulakers.com/sports/m-hockey/2011-12/releases/LS-WO_Preview (URL link to photo)



Enjoy US College Hockey Online's selection of their best photos of the year!: http://www.uscho.com/photos/2011/12/31/our-best-shots-of-2011/

NFL Week 17 Preview & Predictions

Well this is it. Week 17. The playoffs are on the line. Which teams will make it in? In the NFC, the teams are pretty much set. The only open spot is the NFC East division champion. The AFC playoff picture is much more clouded. It was simpler for me to hear it explained. This Associated Press video helps explain it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxNC_VyB-sI&feature=player_embedded.

Here are the games with playoff implications and my predictions as to what I think will happen:

Dallas Cowboys (8-7) @ New York Giants (8-7) - Sunday 8:20 PM EST, NBC

• Breakdown: The Giants are coming off a game they had to win against the Jets, which they won. Quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Victor Cruz are really starting to click. Last week, the Cowboys lost to the Eagles. Tony Romo was injured in that game, but the team says he is ready to play. But how effective will be? If you are a Cowboys fan, you just better hope this game doesn't come down to a field goal attempt with time winding down.
• Prediction: Giants 20 Cowboys 17
• What this would mean: The Giants would be in, the Cowboys would be out

Baltimore Ravens (11-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: The Baltimore Ravens have already clinched their playoff spot, but don't tell them this game shouldn't be important to them. They need a win Sunday to secure the division title and first-round bye. In the AFC North, divisional pride is a very important thing. Additionally, it is important for the Ravens because their home record is 8-0, while their away record is a lackluster 3-4 entering Sunday. For the Cincinnati Bengals, they know they control their own fate. If they win, there in the playoffs. If they lose, they could still make it, but they don't want to have to think about that. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has gotten the job done all year, but his team needs him to step up now.
• Prediction: Bengals 20 Ravens 16
• What this would mean: The Ravens and Bengals would get both AFC wild card spots

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) @ Cleveland Browns (4-11) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: As was aforementioned, the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing for the division title. They would like that first-round bye to help heal quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben plans on playing, but how effective will he be and how long will he play. Backup Charlie Batch played well last week. The Cleveland Browns aren't going to give the Steelers' a yard more than they can help, let alone the win. The Browns would love to send their rival Steelers into the playoffs on a sour note and will be coming after Roethlisberger full throttle.
• Prediction: Steelers 20 Browns 6
• What this would mean: Steelers would be in line for the division title and first-round bye if the Ravens lost

Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) @ Denver Broncos (8-7) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: Hey Denver, do you remember Kyle Orton? Well guess what? He is going to be the starting quarterback of the team trying to knock your team out of the playoffs. The Denver Broncos decided to switch starting quarterbacks to Tim Tebow. They decided to give Orton a chance to start elsewhere, so they waived him. What the Broncos didn't expect, was that the Chiefs would claim him and that he would be playing against them with the playoffs on the line. For the Broncos to win, Tebow needs to limit his mistakes, especially turnovers, and the Broncos defense needs to step up and play well again.
• Prediction: Broncos 16 Chiefs 13
• What this would mean: Broncos would win the AFC West

San Diego Chargers (7-8) @ Oakland Raiders (8-7) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: Like the Chiefs, the San Diego Chargers can try to play spoiler to a divisional foe. This season didn't go like the Chargers had planned. It started great with a 4-1 record, but then they lost six games in a row. They simply couldn't recover from the losing streak. The Oakland Raiders have been a streaky team all year. They brought in quarterback Carson Palmer to lead them to the playoffs. Now, they need him to step up and make that happen. The Raiders defense will try and force turnovers, which the Chargers have been susceptible to giving up all year.
• Prediction: Raiders 20 Chargers 10
• What this would mean: The Raiders would be in line for a chance at winning the AFC West title or one of the wild card spots

Tennessee Titans (8-7) @ Houston Texans (10-5) - Sunday 1:00 PM EST, CBS

• Breakdown: The Houston Texans have already clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history. They will focus on getting players healthy and comfortable this week. Star wide receiver Andre Johnson returns to the lineup for the hosts. The Tennessee Titans are still alive for the last wild card spot in the playoffs. They need some help though to set up what would be a rematch with the Texans in the playoffs. If the Titans don't make the playoffs, they don't have anyone to blame but themselves, especially after they lost to the previously winless Indianapolis Colts.
• Prediction: Titans 20 Texans 17
• What this would mean: The Titans would have an outside shot at the last wild card spot