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Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings at Michigan Stadium equals hockey perfection
Perfect. That was my initial reaction to the thought of the Winter Classic, featuring the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, when it became apparent it was going occur months ago.
So it's official now with Michigan's Board of Regents giving its final approval. At $3 million, it's a bargain for the NHL. And it's a dream come true I've talking about for years.
It will be the hottest ticket imaginable for an NHL game. Not only because is it huge here, but it will pull in countless people from Canada. We are a border state, and an Original Six town. Nothing could celebrate that more than this.
Comerica Park would have been fine for the game, but the Big House just adds magnitude to the event. Especially with the renovation of Michigan Stadium, it can even match Comerica Park in terms of luxury boxes.
A couple things to ponder:
- Can't wait to see the Red Wings preparing for the event on HBO's 24/7 series. I enjoy that as much as the game itself now.
- There is plenty of time to prepare for the parking issues in the winter near Michigan Stadium. Snow/rain could take the golf course and Ann Arbor Pioneer out of the equation, but there is a lot of time to plan for it, and Michigan has been through this before with a game against Michigan State.
- What if the Wolverines are playing in a bowl game that day. Talk about divided attention.
But it will be so much fun. We've forgotten about just what a great rivalry the Red Wings and Maple Leafs have for years. It is literally as close as it can be. Toronto leads the all-time series in the regular season 276-275. In Toronto has won 13 of its 25 playoff series against the Red Wings.
posted by Pat Caputo at
1:39 PM
3 Comments:
This absolutely sucks! That stadium is way too big for a hockey game, the players look like ants from half the seats.
This game should be at Comerica. Having the downtown skyline in the background adds to the ambiance of the event. Can't wait to see the skyline of Ann Arbor. Oh wait, there isn't any.
Not putting the game in Comerica is another slap in the face to the Ilitches, but that's par for the course with Buttman in charge. Forget about the alumni game & other stuff they are putting there. That's just insult to injury. These outdoor games have jumped the shark. I won't watch 1 second of this game.
I'll agree that as is - the game will be hard to see, but it's up to the NHL to augment the venue.
This is more of a party event than it is a game - albeit this game counts.
I do not think outdoor games have jumped the shark - how could they when this is probably the best match up one has had yet - two diehard original 6 teams with huge smart fanbases - the rink as close to nutral as possible without playing in the center of lake huron ... (hey - there's a freakin venue for ya book!!") USA vs Canada - Russia vs Europe - Cherry vs Caputo ... how the hell is this jumping the shark?
Better get ya a louder jacket than the ones you wear Sunday Night book
I'll agree that as is - the game will be hard to see, but it's up to the NHL to augment the venue.
This is more of a party event than it is a game - albeit this game counts.
I do not think outdoor games have jumped the shark - how could they when this is probably the best match up one has had yet - two diehard original 6 teams with huge smart fanbases - the rink as close to nutral as possible without playing in the center of lake huron ... (hey - there's a freakin venue for ya book!!") USA vs Canada - Russia vs Europe - Cherry vs Caputo ... how the hell is this jumping the shark?
Better get ya a louder jacket than the ones you wear Sunday Night book
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