Friday, February 26, 2010

No Winter Classic in Yankee Stadium.

From the Providence Journal.

No one knows yet where next year's Winter Classic will played, but we now know one place where it won't be: Yankee Stadium.
ESPN reportedly will announce soon that it will televise a college football bowl game that will be played at the Stadium on Dec. 30. Obviously, that would preclude any hockey game from being played there on Jan. 1.
Yanks managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner reportedly is the driving force behind the bowl game, in which the third- or fourth-place team in the Big East will play the Big 12's seventh-place team.

I think Yankee Stadium would be the best place for a Winter Classic. I would love to see the Rangers play either the Islanders or the Devils. There is the possibility of the Classic being held at Citi Field, but I don't think it would be the same.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

US/Canada Winter Classic Doubleheader?

From NHL Fanhouse. Interesting idea, I have heard several ideas of Washington DC hosting the first game and Ottawa hosting the second game. Interesting proposal.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- FanHouse asked NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Wednesday at the Board of Governor's meeting about the possibility of a Canadian team getting into the Winter Classic and he announced that the NHL is planning a second Winter Classic to be held in Canada next season. Bettman said that there had been talk about a Canadian Winter Classic this year but it didn't come together. Next season's potential event has yet to be nailed down, but if it comes together, it would be on the schedule, which should be released during the NHL draft in June.

Teams and location are to be determined, but all six Canadian teams are interested in both hosting and playing in it if not hosting, according to Bettman. The Maple Leafs made an official request to host, but the best bet is believed to be Calgary for the initial Canadian Winter Classic.Bettman said that it's unclear if there would be a U.S./Canadian Winter Classic on New Year's or if the Canadian event would be held on Hockey Day, which is generally on a Saturday in February.