2013: The NHL season that almost wasn't

Not sure if anyone noticed, but the NHL announced the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs will play in the 2014 Winter Classic on January 1, 2014 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The matchup was supposed to have been played this past winter but was postponed because of the lockout.

Really hoping I can go, because seeing an outdoor NHL game in person would be a unique novelty.

 

The hype for this shitty game will start in Toronto around August and will be unstoppable. There will be no escaping it.

Newest Leaf Ryan O'Byrne commented that he had NEVER played hockey outdoors. He grew up in Victoria where there are no ponds, sloughs, rivers, creeks or lakes to freeze over. Made me smile. No phony nostalgia there.

Once again, I understand that it's a cash cow for the league but the entire premise is fraudulent and an insult to professional hockey.

And Bob Costas will be fucking unbearable before the puck even drops.

 

There's been talk of a series of outdoor games on the same day, including one in Dodger Stadium.

 

Yeah saw a story yesterday where the Kings are pushing for one against the Ducks in California, cause you know that will go well. That is a catastrophic injury waiting to happen. I know they can do it, but if the ice is shit at the best of times where snow is common for thse games, it is going to be absolutely terrible if they try it in LA. Also, it will be unwatchable hockey, will make you yearn for Devils/Ducks circa 2003.

 

Didn't the LA Kings play a preseason game once outdoors in Las Vegas, of all places? I guess with current ice-making technology, you can make a rink anywhere. To me, part of the lure as a spectator is sitting in the elements along with the players. Been to plenty of regular hockey games at indoor rinks at all levels. So it is something of a novelty and I think therein lies the appeal of it.

 

A dumb idea just got worse

 

So Anaheim fans were so pissed that Justin Schulz chose not to sign with them that they thought they should boo him when he returned as an Oiler. One problem, they booed the wrong Schulz. They booed Nick Schultz instead.

 

Nope, nice diss on Ducks fans if it was true, but it wasn't. They knew the difference.

 

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/08/woops-ducks-fans-boo-nick-instead-of-justin-schultz/

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/377812-ducks-fans-boo-the-wrong-schultz

Look slike JC is correct on this one

 

It is true, TSN showed highlights of it. They eventually figured it out.

 

Even as a fanboi, I was a little skeptical of the Caps' hot run ... a lot of it came against the dog-ass Southeast. To go up and win at Bell last night was huge though. Very encouraging. Ovechkin is playing at his highest level in six years. I guess moving him to right wing was the smart thing to do. Just took a little time to adjust.

Oates > Hunter, for sure.

 

They just hate all Schultzes and were especially disgruntled later when NSchultz unexpectedly scored a goal. Hiller was so surprised he forgot to try to stop it.