The Big 10 - 10 Places to Hold the 2011 Winter Classic
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
4:55 PM
Labels: Dallas Stars , hockey , Minnesota Wild , NHL , Pittsburgh Penguins , Washington Capitals , Winter Classic
Labels: Dallas Stars , hockey , Minnesota Wild , NHL , Pittsburgh Penguins , Washington Capitals , Winter Classic
Earlier this week, the NHL announced the details of the 2011 Winter Classic. The Penguins and Capitals will clash on New Year's Day at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. That would be Alexander Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby prominently featured on the highest rated telecast the NHL puts out there all year.
Never saw that one coming.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the strategy. I just see myself sitting on the couch (hungover) trying to watch two teams that were both shown the doors in the playoffs by Montreal. Montreal, the eighth seed I should add.
Ultimately, I think the game should be a Stanley Cup rematch. I do also realize that this would be a problem if Tampa Bay and Phoenix made the finals. Another cool option is hold the All-Star game outdoors. All of hockey's biggest stars, freezing their asses off in a nailbiter with a final score of 16-12.
Okay, so my ideas blow. The only thing left is to brainstorm a little and come up with some better games. That brings us to the Big 10: Ten Places to Hold the 2011 Winter Classic.
1. Rogers Centre - Toronto, ON
This is my favorite option. I probably should have saved it for the bottom of the page, but at least if I get bored and stop at 5 or whatever, it's noted. Place the Maple Leafs in to host the Canadiens. C'mon man, Montreal vs. Toronto?! Fucking awesome!
2. Target Field - Minneapolis, MN
OK, I saw this on a chat board a while back and thought it was cool. The Dallas Stars come back to Minnesota where they started to face the Minnesota Wild. Put one of the teams in the old North Stars jerseys and let 'em go!
3. Citizens Bank Field - Philadelphia, PA
Flyers v. Rangers. This game turns into a war early, but fans of old time hockey will love to see Danny Carcillo beat the living shit out of Sean Avery. Or better yet, sick him on Marian Gaborik again. That was fun!
4. Busch Stadium - St. Louis, MO
I like Chicago v. St. Louis here. It features a Stanley Cup finalist, and a team with upside that doesn't really get the recognition other teams get.
5. McMahon Stadium - Calgary, AB
One of the nastiest rivalries in sport, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames will fill this, or any other stadium in Canada and just unleash hell. Another fun one for the old time sect out there.
6. Invesco Field - Denver, CO
The Avs and the Red Wings. They. Simply. Hate. Each other. If the yard isn't buried in snow and inaccessible, these two clubs would put on a heluva show.
7. New Meadowlands Stadium - E. Rutherford, NJ
One more Flyers game, if I may indulge. How about Flyers v. Devils. That's always a cool game. Not just a fighting rivalry. This is also two well matched teams.
8. Insert Name Here Field - Miami, FL (different name every season)
Florida v. Tampa Bay would be completely irrational based on climate. Just understand that back in '89, the Kings played the Rangers in September. In the Caesar's Palace parking lot in Vegas. If you can prevent the rink from turning into a wading pool there, you can do it anywhere. It's up to you.....oh man, i'm getting away from myself. Sorry.
9. FedEx Field - Washington, DC
These teams aren't rivals, but they are national capitals. Washington v. Ottawa. Like I said, not rivals now. But maybe after the national pride that goes with this kind of matchup, there might just be a rivalry there.
10. ?
The Big 10 is an interactive experience. So I ask for number 10 from you guys. Send your ideas, or anything else you have for me, to.....
mooseduncan99@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/mooseduncan
You can also just leave a comment for me. I'll answer everything you send. Honest lol!
Later!
Never saw that one coming.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the strategy. I just see myself sitting on the couch (hungover) trying to watch two teams that were both shown the doors in the playoffs by Montreal. Montreal, the eighth seed I should add.
Ultimately, I think the game should be a Stanley Cup rematch. I do also realize that this would be a problem if Tampa Bay and Phoenix made the finals. Another cool option is hold the All-Star game outdoors. All of hockey's biggest stars, freezing their asses off in a nailbiter with a final score of 16-12.
Okay, so my ideas blow. The only thing left is to brainstorm a little and come up with some better games. That brings us to the Big 10: Ten Places to Hold the 2011 Winter Classic.
1. Rogers Centre - Toronto, ON
This is my favorite option. I probably should have saved it for the bottom of the page, but at least if I get bored and stop at 5 or whatever, it's noted. Place the Maple Leafs in to host the Canadiens. C'mon man, Montreal vs. Toronto?! Fucking awesome!
2. Target Field - Minneapolis, MN
OK, I saw this on a chat board a while back and thought it was cool. The Dallas Stars come back to Minnesota where they started to face the Minnesota Wild. Put one of the teams in the old North Stars jerseys and let 'em go!
3. Citizens Bank Field - Philadelphia, PA
Flyers v. Rangers. This game turns into a war early, but fans of old time hockey will love to see Danny Carcillo beat the living shit out of Sean Avery. Or better yet, sick him on Marian Gaborik again. That was fun!
4. Busch Stadium - St. Louis, MO
I like Chicago v. St. Louis here. It features a Stanley Cup finalist, and a team with upside that doesn't really get the recognition other teams get.
5. McMahon Stadium - Calgary, AB
One of the nastiest rivalries in sport, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames will fill this, or any other stadium in Canada and just unleash hell. Another fun one for the old time sect out there.
6. Invesco Field - Denver, CO
The Avs and the Red Wings. They. Simply. Hate. Each other. If the yard isn't buried in snow and inaccessible, these two clubs would put on a heluva show.
7. New Meadowlands Stadium - E. Rutherford, NJ
One more Flyers game, if I may indulge. How about Flyers v. Devils. That's always a cool game. Not just a fighting rivalry. This is also two well matched teams.
8. Insert Name Here Field - Miami, FL (different name every season)
Florida v. Tampa Bay would be completely irrational based on climate. Just understand that back in '89, the Kings played the Rangers in September. In the Caesar's Palace parking lot in Vegas. If you can prevent the rink from turning into a wading pool there, you can do it anywhere. It's up to you.....oh man, i'm getting away from myself. Sorry.
9. FedEx Field - Washington, DC
These teams aren't rivals, but they are national capitals. Washington v. Ottawa. Like I said, not rivals now. But maybe after the national pride that goes with this kind of matchup, there might just be a rivalry there.
10. ?
The Big 10 is an interactive experience. So I ask for number 10 from you guys. Send your ideas, or anything else you have for me, to.....
mooseduncan99@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/mooseduncan
You can also just leave a comment for me. I'll answer everything you send. Honest lol!
Later!
Beaver Stadium, State College
Flyers vs. Penguins
If you're going to let the god damn Penguins play the Winter Classic again, skip the Sidvechkin shit and go with this...It's a no brainer.