OT, NHL at Wrigley!

Ladder7 · December 28, 2008 3:51AM

As one who collects all big 4 sports. This throwback concept should continue to draw more folks back to pro hockey, which has suffered greatly with attendance since the Strike.

*Perhaps the Habs vs the B's at Fenway with the net up against the green monster?..Instant sell out for sure.

2009

2008

IchiroDeported · December 28, 2008 3:54AM

Harry Karay just rolled over in his grave.

Goot · December 28, 2008 4:05AM

<< As one who collects all big 4 sports. This throwback concept should continue to draw more folks back to pro hockey, which has suffered greatly with attendance since the Strike.
>>

NHL attendance is no worse than the NBA. I was at the Lightning game last night with 18,000 of my "closest friends"..... and that was to see one of the worst hockey teams in the league (we're on a roll though!) in FLORIDA.

Ladder7 · December 28, 2008 4:16AM

C'mon, don't be dramatic. Wrigley's hosted football, concerts, boxing matches, religious masses even horse shows over the past century. The Blackhawks vs Wings game will destroy the mystique?

Blackborder · December 28, 2008 4:35AM

<< Harry Karay just rolled over in his grave. >>

Actually, the Cubs rolled over in their grave.

Stingray · December 28, 2008 4:38AM

<< 

<< Harry Karay just rolled over in his grave. >>

Actually, the Cubs rolled over in their grave. >>

Goot · December 28, 2008 4:39AM

Here's a time lapse video of them building the rink.

Building the Rink

baseballfan · December 28, 2008 4:40AM

i think its a great concept. should be a great game

Goot · December 28, 2008 4:43AM

<< i think its a great concept. should be a great game >>

Agree. It'd be great if there was snow but with forecasts at 31 degrees and 10% chance of precipitation, it's unlikely.

mtcards · December 28, 2008 5:24AM

The game last year was great. Watching them play the game in the blizzard and they had to come out halfway through each period to re-zamboni the ice because of the snow buildup

mccardguy1 · December 28, 2008 8:34AM

<< C'mon, don't be dramatic. Wrigley's hosted football, concerts, boxing matches, religious masses even horse shows over the past century. The Blackhawks vs Wings game will destroy the mystique?

>>

Dont forget circus's and race car events. Wrigley has a long and storied history of events that were non-baseball being held within its ivy covered walls. They even installed permanent lights exclusivly for boxing events decades before installing lights for baseball games.

I am hoping to be at the hockey game and will only find out the night before. Luckily I have a few "ins" that are due to come through for me.

Goot · December 28, 2008 10:24AM

<< 

Dont forget circus's and race car events. Wrigley has a long and storied history of events that were non-baseball being held within its ivy covered walls. They even installed permanent lights exclusivly for boxing events decades before installing lights for baseball games.

I am hoping to be at the hockey game and will only find out the night before. Luckily I have a few "ins" that are due to come through for me. >>

Post pics if you go!

TheHun · December 28, 2008 10:52AM

I have been looking forward to this ...

and yes - any pictures from attendees would be appreciated !

fur72 · December 28, 2008 11:22AM

I am not a Hockey fan but I will watch this one. I have no problem with Wrigley being used for something other than baseball.

I am an Iowa Hawkeye fan. They play 6 or 7 games in their 70+ thousand seat stadium. The rest of the year it is unused. No concerts or anything, makes no sense to me.

baseballfan · December 29, 2008 2:16AM

oh yeah

GO WINGS!!!!

BPorter26 · December 29, 2008 2:37AM

I love the concept of them playing out doors. I read the NHL was going to play in Yankee Stadium as well. I also read that they (The fans) didn't want that to be the last game played at Yankee Stadium. I haven't heard or read anything since. Now I did read this in the summer.

gumbyfan · December 29, 2008 4:02AM

I'm not sure if there are any hockey fans heading to Chicago for this game, but you might be able to get some autographs on Wednesday night outside of the Hard Rock Cafe - Marina City in Chicago. It's the 329 N. Dearborn location. There is a private concert by Blues Traveler being held there that night for the NHL. I believe that quite a few players and retired players will be in attendance.

nightcrawler · December 29, 2008 4:09AM

I also love to see pictures of this game.

My cousin went to one of them, said he had the best time and it's his favorite game so far. And he goes to lots of games.

jimrad · December 29, 2008 4:40AM

I hope the game is 0-0 and goes to a shoot out

mccardguy1 · December 29, 2008 5:02AM

I just thought I would throw this link from the local paper in this thread. It describes all of the various activities that have been in Wrigley over the years. They missed a few things but for the most part got it right!

Wrigley

jimrad · December 29, 2008 5:21AM

fur72 · December 29, 2008 7:32AM

<< I just thought I would throw this link from the local paper in this thread. It describes all of the various activities that have been in Wrigley over the years. They missed a few things but for the most part got it right!

Wrigley >>

Aug. 21, 1954: The Harlem Globetrotters defeated George Mikan's U.S. Stars 57-51 under portable lights before 14,124. Earlier that evening, the House of David beat the Boston Whirlwinds, featuring collegiate scoring recordholder Bevo Francis, 49-43.

That is odd in so many ways.... Thanks for the link!

TheHun · December 29, 2008 1:58PM

Junior World Championship is also going on right now in Ottawa.

Big guns (Canada / USA / Sweden / Russia) - are hammering the minnows (Latvia / Kazekstan / Germany)

Canada won 15:0 yesterday.

ICE9 · December 29, 2008 2:09PM

Here are some photos from last year at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The atmosphere was GREAT, but it was REALLY COLD. I'm looking forward to watching this year's game from the couch...

Mike

TheHun · December 29, 2008 2:15PM

It's always cold in Buffalo - that's why 'hell freezing over' was not a big deal for the Bills to win the Super Bowl.

Great picks !

show us some more ...

ICE9 · December 29, 2008 2:34PM

Here you go...

Mike

Goot · December 29, 2008 3:15PM

<< Junior World Championship is also going on right now in Ottawa.

Big guns (Canada / USA / Sweden / Russia) - are hammering the minnows (Latvia / Kazekstan / Germany)

Canada won 15:0 yesterday. >>

That Canada-Kazak game was plain sad. Canada stopped celebrating after the 3rd goal they scored. The US looked sloppy against the Czechs and let a 4-1 lead almost slip away. The upcoming US vs Canada should be fun, but I think the Canadians will win by about 3 if I had to guess. Being in Canada provides an even bigger boost.

Thank god for NHL Network! (yes, I'm serious)

wolfbear · December 29, 2008 3:34PM

Sounds like a fun event to attend,
but can anyone in the stands tell what's going on or even see the puck?

Passenger : Those people down there look like ants.
Flight Attendant : They are ants. We haven't taken off yet ...

Goot · January 1, 2009 5:01AM

<< 

<< Junior World Championship is also going on right now in Ottawa.

Big guns (Canada / USA / Sweden / Russia) - are hammering the minnows (Latvia / Kazekstan / Germany)

Canada won 15:0 yesterday. >>

That Canada-Kazak game was plain sad. Canada stopped celebrating after the 3rd goal they scored. The US looked sloppy against the Czechs and let a 4-1 lead almost slip away. The upcoming US vs Canada should be fun, but I think the Canadians will win by about 3 if I had to guess. Being in Canada provides an even bigger boost.

Thank god for NHL Network! (yes, I'm serious) >>

Well I called that one.

Canada 7
USA 4

TheHun · January 1, 2009 5:27AM

You were spot on Goot !

But it was 3:0 USA to start. Would not have bet at that moment, but once CANADA scored the first goal - the crowd went crazy.

Sweden - Canada final ?

Well off to Wrigley ... sun has disappeared ... hope it snows ... put your toques on !

Hawks are going wit zee Frenchman (Huet) in goal. The Alaskan (Conklin) for the Wings.

MooseDog · January 1, 2009 3:25PM

Good call Goot, but the two empty net goals in the last minute made the score look worse than it was. The US played very well and could very well turn the tables on the Canada boys in the medal round.

Goot · January 1, 2009 4:09PM

<< Good call Goot, but the two empty net goals in the last minute made the score look worse than it was. The US played very well and could very well turn the tables on the Canada boys in the medal round. >>

SHHHHH!

But seriously, I wasn't able to watch the game live because I was out at a New Year's party. I taped it though and watched most of it today. Very good game!

rube26105 · January 1, 2009 4:47PM

hi paul

Ladder7 · January 1, 2009 10:52PM

After school, all the kids were out playing street hockey until the streetlights came on.

There was a LOT of road rage, and the guy responsible for the traffic standstills on every side street in Boston in the late 60s-70s... (No, it ain't Matt Damon)

OT, NHL at Wrigley!

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