NHL Arena Blog

Detroit 6 , Chicago 4

Game Information

Arena: Wrigley Field Location: Chicago, Illinois

Referees: Bill McCreary, Tim Peel Linesmen: Andy McElman, Dan Schachte

Attendance: 40,818

Team Stat Comparison
174	Goals	159
143	Goals Against	118
58	Power Play Goals	46
45	Power Play Goals Allowed	37
3	Shorthanded Goals	6
1	Shorthanded Goals Allowed	4
509	Penalty Minutes	730
10	Average Penalty Minutes	15

Scoring Summary
1ST PERIOD			DET	CHI
3:24		Kris Versteeg (Power Play) Assists: Martin Havlat, Brent Seabrook	0	1
9:50		Mikael Samuelsson (Power Play) Assists: Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa	1	1
12:37		Martin Havlat (Power Play) Assists: Kris Versteeg, Brian Campbell	1	2
19:18		Ben Eager Assists: Martin Havlat	1	3
2ND PERIOD			DET	CHI
1:14		Jiri Hudler Assists: Marian Hossa, Henrik Zetterberg	2	3
12:43		Jiri Hudler Assists: Daniel Cleary, Brian Rafalski	3	3
17:17		Pavel Datsyuk Assists: Johan Franzen, Brian Rafalski	4	3
3RD PERIOD			DET	CHI
3:07		Brian Rafalski (Power Play) Assists: Jiri Hudler, Tomas Holmstrom	5	3
3:24		Brett Lebda Assists: Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa	6	3
19:50		Duncan Keith (Power Play) Assists: Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews	6	4

 

Me in front of Wrigley Field - Winter Classic 2009

 

Trip Notes: For this year's Winter Classic, tickets were much harder to come by this year unless you were willing to fork out hundreds to thousands to a scalper. The chances of me going to my second Winter Classic were looking pretty grim, until about a week before the game some extra tickets went on sale. I was able to find one on the 2nd level, which is basically the first level @ $275. Can you believe that was face value? What can I say, I’m diehard. So a week before the Winter Classic, I decided to go. I was able to scrounge up a decent priced flight and got a great deal on a hotel through my connections of owning my own travel company. It has many perks, that being one of them. I stayed at the Westin on Michigan Avenue. It was a great hotel in a great location. I arrived the day before the game on New Year’s Eve. I spent the majority of it touring around town. With many stops, a few including the Navy Pier and the John Hancock building at sundown. Thanks for the tip Meagan! It was a beautiful sunset from up top. It was freezing cold that day so my time spent in the John (lol, that sounds bad) I was able to warm up. Ate at one of my favorite sandwich places ...Potbelly's. Yum. Ended the night kind of early. Thought about going down to the park for the fireworks, but didn't care to go back out. Plus I'm not all that big on New Years. To me it's just another day ...only with fireworks. Plus I wanted to be rested for the Winter Classic tomorrow afternoon. :)

Got up early to get all bundled up for the Outdoor Classic. It was going to be another chilly day. I brought a ton of layers so I knew I wasn't going to get cold. I wore 3 pairs of pants with snow pants on top, 3 shirts and a fleece jacket, followed by my snow coat. On top of that, I had two snow hats, hand warmers, and boot warmers. There was no way I was going to get cold. And I didn't. I had to have been the most comfortable person there. I left the hotel a couple hours before the game because I knew the subway was going to be packed. I was right. Even leaving as early as I did, you would barely get on the train. I managed to get on before the rest of the crowd. Most people probably had to wait a few trains for some space to open up. The street was blocked off in front of Wrigley Field. There were a ton of people out, but probably even more in the bars in the area. I was surprised there were no activities going on in the street or nearby. I made my way inside pretty soon after arriving because last year it took forever to get in so I didn't want to take a chance of missing anything. That and buying a puck. Just like last year, all the good merchandise was sold out quickly. I believe by the 2nd intermission, if not sooner. This year I bought my puck and program before it started. I wasn't going to miss out again. While walking through the concourse I walked past Tim's uncle, Stan Mikita. Too bad I hesitated; I might have been able to get my picture with him. He was being escorted downstairs so he could make his way out onto the field for the pre-game show.

My seat was in the second row of the 2nd level. The only drawback to my seat was the group of guys sitting in front of me. They were so hammered I doubt they remember much from the game. I missed many plays from the game because they kept moving around so they could talk to each other and I couldn't see over them. I don't understand why they even went, but whatever toots your horn. There was a nice couple sitting to my left that I enjoyed talking with. I was sitting pretty low so there were many blind spots on the ice. The 3rd level seating would've been the best place to see the game.

The pre-game ceremony was decent. They recognized former Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs. The former Chicago Blackhawks were Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito, Denis Savard, and Bobby Hull. Former Detroit Red Wing Ted Lindsay as well. The Chicago Cubs were Ferguson Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg and Billy Williams. Following that ceremony they had the crowd perform stunt #1 & stunt #2. Every seat had a bag of goodies taped to it. One of the items in the bag was a piece of paper with a different color on each side, each labeled with which stunt it went with. I believe one of the stunts we spelled out Happy New Year and the other Detroit Red Wings - Chicago Blackhawks. It was classic when the side that was spelling Detroit realized it and started ripping up and throwing their stunt papers. There was confetti everywhere. As for the crowd, I expected more Wings fans, but it was pretty even ...if not more Chicago Blackhawk fans. I was impressed that it was a home crowd. Detroit has one of the best traveling fans so I wouldn't have been surprised if it were the other way around.

The National Anthem was sung by Jim Cornelison. That was definitely an exciting part of the game. I think the crowd was as loud during that as when the Blackhawks scored their first goal. It gave me goose bumps. Following the anthem, they had the usual fly over. I love the sound of the jet! The conclusion to the pre-game was the ceremonial puck drop. They brought out all the former players out on the ice while the puck was dropped. Not sure I've ever seen so many people on the ice for a ceremonial puck drop.

The game was great, but didn't compare to last year’s Winter Classic in Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium. It might have been a little colder this year, but it lacked the snow. The game was also a blowout unlike last year’s thrilling shootout victory with Crosby scoring the winning goal. But how often do you get to watch an NHL game outdoors? I was thrilled to be there. I'm hoping next year’s game is at an NFL stadium. It's more exciting when there are more fans and also there's a lot more great seats in a football stadium.

Met my friend Tim during the first intermission. It had been years since I had seen him. It was great to see him. He was telling me how Vince Vaughn was sitting in the suite above his seat. He saw him walk to his suite a few times. During the second intermission I went up to the 3rd level to get some pictures from up high. They definitely had a much better view of the ice from up there.

Following the game I made my way over to the Red Vine to meet Tim. It only took me about a half hour to find it when it was only a few blocks away. I only had to ask 3 people how to get there. Finally found it. Every single bar in the area had a huge line outside just to get in. It was insane. Luckily Tim and his friends had rented out a room at the Red Vine. That was the only reason I was able to get in. Had a beer with Tim and got caught up on lost times. It was great to visit with him.

By the time I left the bar, the subway stopped had cleared up so I didn't have to wait. If I had gone straight back to the hotel following the game, I would've been waiting for close to an hour. I couldn't believe how long that line was. Flew home the next day.

 

Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings walking to the ice- Winter Classic 2009

Stadium Notes: Wrigley Field is a great baseball stadium, but not the best place to watch the Winter Classic. Getting around on the concourse before the game and during intermissions was quite interesting. It was very difficult to get around because there were too many people trying to get somewhere at one. I felt the most sorry for the folks who needed to use the restroom during the first intermission. The men's line was the worst. It was about 3 guys wide and didn't appear to end. The guy sitting near me said that the guys were peeing in the sinks because the lines were so long. Yuk! So when it comes to restroom availability for a hockey game, Wrigley gets a D. It wasn't quite so bad on the 3rd level. I made my way up there for the 2nd intermission to get some pictures from up there. There was barely a line when I got there.

I could only imagine how horrible it would've been to try and find a parking spot. The subway is very convenient and inexpensive.

The best part was the atmosphere of Wrigley Field. There's definitely a lot of history there. Someday soon I'll make it back for a baseball game.

The view of the rink was ok from the lower level. There were many blind spots. It was definitely better on the 3rd level. I don't know what the view from the outfield was like, but I can't imagine it was that good. An outdoor hockey game is definitely better in a football stadium.

The line to the mens bathroom on the left at the Winter Classic 2009. Insane!

Faceoff at the Winter Classic 2009

 

Game Notes: CHICAGO -- The atmosphere was electric. Bundled-up fans got a chance to extend their New Year's Eve parties and watch hockey in a venerable stadium where baseball usually fills the seats.

If the setting was different, the results were the same Thursday. The Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks again, this time out in the cold at Wrigley Field in the Winter Classic.

Players from both sides agreed on two things following Detroit Red Wings 6-4 comeback victory: The weather and the condition of the ice had little or no bearing on the result, and the overall experience was a blast.

"It exceeded my expectations," said Detroit Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom , who returned after missing two games with a sore ankle. "I don't think the wind or playing outdoors bothered either team."

Temperature at faceoff on an overcast day was a very bearable 32 degrees, even though a wind blowing at 18 mph made it a chilly afternoon for 40,818 fans at the second-oldest baseball park in the major leagues.

"Holy Cow. It's Cold," read one sign, using the longtime catch phrase of the late Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray.

Pavel Datsyuk skated through two defenders to score in a three-goal second period, and the Detroit Red Wings scored twice in a 17-second span of the third to complete the comeback.

"I kind of had my mouth open in the beginning," said Detroit Red Wings Jiri Hudler , who had two goals in the second period to tie the game. "We were all looking at each other during the anthem -- 'Wow, this is awesome.' "

The teams used the same locker rooms that the Cubs (Chicago Blackhawks) and visitors (Detroit Red Wings) use during the baseball season. The players trudged on skates, protected by terry-cloth guards, through tunnels, up and down steps and across a tarp-like carpet to the rink. The Red Wings' coaching staff kept their heads warm with fedoras.

Martin Havlat had a goal and two assists to help the Chicago Blackhawks go up 3-1 after one period. But the Red Wings showed why they are the defending Stanley Cup champions, rallying to beat the Chicago Blackhawks for the fourth straight time this season and second time in less than 48 hours.

"They are the best team in the world. They are a team that can just take over when they want to," Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane said.

Havlat also said the weather wasn't much of a factor in the disappointing loss. The Detroit Red Wings had beaten the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 on Tuesday night in Detroit.

"It was not too bad," he said. "You could feel it on your toes in the skates, but we were moving and it was pretty warm on the benches. "

Brian Rafalski scored on a power play 3:07 into the third period for a 5-3 lead. Seventeen seconds later, Brett Lebda 's shot from between the circles appeared to go over Huet, but officials needed a video review to determine that it was a goal. After it was ruled good, Huet was pulled for Nikolai Khabibulin .

Video screens in right and left fields were set up to help fans who couldn't follow the puck from the lower seats. Most didn't necessarily need them -- they stood up behind the two dugouts to see over the boards. And stay warm at the same time.

Even though most of the snow in Chicago had melted last week, the entire field was covered by the white stuff -- some of it compliments of a snowmaking machine.

"It was a cool feeling seeing 45,000 fans screaming and yelling," Kane said. "The atmosphere was really unreal."

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ty Conklin played in his third outdoor NHL game. He was the winner last year in the initial Winter Classic, when the Penguins beat the Sabres 2-1 in a shootout at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., before an NHL-record 71,217 fans.

He was also in net for the Oilers when they faced Montreal in 2003 before 57,167 fans outdoors in Edmonton.

"I count myself very lucky. There's not a guy in this league who wouldn't like to play in these games," Conklin said. "I've had the opportunity to play in three of them."

The game Thursday was halted momentarily in the first period for minor ice repair that took less than a minute to complete. But there appeared to be no major problems with the surface, part of a two-week project to turn a baseball park into a hockey venue.

"I think the weather conditions were ideal. The ice was really good. It was probably better than it is in some of our rinks," commissioner Gary Bettman said, adding that he doesn't have a location right now for next year's Winter Classic.

If a player happened to step out the back of the penalty box, he would nearly land on the far side of the pitcher's mound. The goals ran from the first-base line to the third-base line.

The ancient scoreboard at Wrigley Field -- which is still hand-operated for many of the baseball operations -- featured the day's matchup of NHL games. There was also a temporary scoreboard below the big one, set up just for hockey.

Several Detroit Red Wings, including Conklin, entertained fans in the concourse about 90 minutes before the game by kicking and heading a soccer ball to each other.

Dan Cleary, whose hard check in Tuesday night's game at Detroit caused a leg injury to Kane, was driven into the Chicago Blackhawks bench early in the game on a hit from Brent Seabrook .

Kris Versteeg scored on a power play rebound to give the Blackhawks an early 1-0 lead.

Detroit evened it as a power play was winding down when Henrik Zetterberg went behind the net and fed Mikael Samuelsson . But minutes later, on yet another power play, Versteeg made a nice backhanded pass to Havlat, who shot it past Conklin for a 2-1 lead.

Chicago's third goal of the opening period came from Ben Eager with 42 seconds to go. He went behind the goal, withstood a hit from Detroit's Andreas Lilja , then reversed his direction before beating Conklin to make it 3-1.

Less than two minutes into the second period, Hudler got a rebound goal, and the Detroi Red Wings tied it when Hudler scored again on a rebound one second after a power play for Detroit ended. (*from ESPN)

Me up on the upper deck at the Winter Classic 2009