Why The NHL Is Hoping For A Cloudy Day On Thursday

by Al on Dec 29, 2008 12:50 PM CST in News Comment 32 comments

Fortunately, it appears they'll get nearly ideal weather conditions:

New Year's Day: A 20 percent chance of snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30.

Wrigley Field photo taken via NHL Network webcam, Monday, December 29, 12:45 pm CST

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It is crazy

to see how far south the winter sun is. Imagine a noon baseball start with shadows like that.

by gocubsgo22 on Dec 29, 2008 1:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Check out the time lapse video.

Take the webcam link, click on Winter Classic on the left, and the top time lapse on the right goes up to the 27th. Those shadows are huge!

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Like Drāno for your internet tubes.

by znohitter on Dec 29, 2008 1:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope its cloudy with snow covering all that green

BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!

by Chanman25 on Dec 29, 2008 1:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I am long time HUGE Blackhawk fan. I haven’t been as excited about this team since the early 80’s and the days of Denny Savard, Steve Larmer, Al Secord, Doug Wilson. San Jose and Detroit might still be the cream of the West, but the Blackhawks are rapidly moving up the food chain. The young talent on this club is very, very good. And there is more exciting young talent in the pipeline.

by BLou on Dec 29, 2008 1:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

thats crazy

that’d be a really pain if it was that bad during the baseball season.

here’s hoping we get a cloudy new years day.

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Dec 29, 2008 1:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

the stretch

Who’s going to sing the second intermission stretch?

by noblerj on Dec 29, 2008 3:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wayne Messmer?

by gocubsgo22 on Dec 29, 2008 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope they've lined Wayne up to do the National Anthem.

That would be truly special.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 29, 2008 3:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think they have

I think they have. Also I think Dempster may have some part in the festivities as someone who is from Canada and actually can be seen at the UC at Blackhawks games.

Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)

by cubstoseriesby100 on Dec 29, 2008 3:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously??

I definitely would like to hear him sing it… but I would be extremely surprised that the NHL wouldn’t get someone who’s nationally known, since it’s a nationally televised game…. and it’s now the annual “Winter Classic” and has gotten more hype from the NHL than their All-Star game ever gets.

by MillsChC on Dec 30, 2008 4:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The last thing needed is some lip-sinc...

BS crap singer like Whitney Houston doing the Anthem. The same year the ASG was at the Stadium was the year she “sung” the Anthem at the Superbowl. Suffice to say Wayne with that Barton Organ at the barn 3 days after the start of the Gulf War was the Anthem of Anthems.

I know the Wrigley organ will never be the Stadium’s Barton or even the UC’s electronic Barton imitation, but they SHOULD have WAYNE MESSMER do the Anthem, and on the national stage show all those Hollywood like yahoos how the Anthem should be sung.

Bringing back Wayne in some capacity would right one more of the wrong’s written by Dollar Bill and silver-tongued Bob Pulford.

And another thing, I’d love to hear Harvey Wittenberg do the PA.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 30, 2008 9:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Please note my posts below.

Agree on Harvey, but Cornelison has been confirmed for the NA.

All things considered, I’d say Houston’s Super Bowl rendition was very sturring.

I’d say the behavior of many fans at the Stadium during Messmer’s singing was, in a word, disgraceful.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Dec 30, 2008 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cornelison is good

but he sings it like Wayne, almost like he’s trying to carry on the baritone singer qualities that makes Wayne so good. IMHO there’s been at least a half-dozen guys they’ve brought in with the baritone qualities since Wayne and each of them try to mimic his style. Again, he’s good but Wayne is the man.

You know Houston lip-sync’d that, right? There’s nothing stirring about a lip-sync’er. What would she have done at 1800 W. Madison?

I don’t believe the yelling during the Anthem is disgraceful, it’s way of showing passion. If you were at the Stadium ASG in 1991 like I was, you would feel much differently.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 30, 2008 12:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was there in 1991...........

……….and have been to plenty of games before and since. This so-called passion you speak of is essentially disrespect, because it’s simply improper to behave in such fashion during any anthem anywhere.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Dec 30, 2008 1:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Guess we disagree

…and there will be some 22,000 or so that too will disagree, especially during playoff time and even more so when Messmer is brought back.

I guess I don’t ever remember hearing how bad this was for normal civilians to behave for the Anthem.

It is funny however how this came about. 1985 conf finals. Edm was 9-0 including 11-2 & 7-3 wins vs the ’Hawks in the conf finals. The Canadian newspapers wrote off the ’Hawks calling for another Edm sweep. Game 3 was never more electric, and the stadium was probably never louder than except the ’91 ASG and 4/14/94 for the final home game, only 4 days after Wayne was shot in the neck. But never in all those times did I hear anyone talk about any disrespect.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 30, 2008 1:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps...........

………the behavior of fans at other Chicago sporting events – to say nothing of fans in other cities and their sporting events – would be an indicator as to the proper behavior during the anthem.

It’s stupid stuff like placing ones hand over their heart, singing along with the vocalist and respectfully watching the flag during the song. Everyone learned this in grade school, but the Mob On Madison rudely choses to behave in a disrespectful fashion.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Dec 30, 2008 3:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

good luck...

…with your crusade.

I’m anxious to see the outcome.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 30, 2008 4:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW, I was told by my E-9 in the Navy

before I got honorably discharged that he was going to salute the NA every chance he got when he finally got out .. He was a riverboat crew member in Nam and had seen hell up close and personal. After my time in the Navy ended, I followed his advice, come to attention and salute every time I hear the NA in a game I attend.

If people want to act like a bunch of self-centered nine year olds on a playground, it’s their right to do so. It’s America. They just show how immature they really are.

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Dec 30, 2008 5:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's outstanding

While I was never in the military, several family members were and not all of them came home to speak of their experience.

I totally expect the salute from military folks and know my colleague at work, soon to arrive back at work after his 3rd Afghanistan deployment this year feels the same way.

Civilians probably don’t know what the military really, really means for our freedom; whether it’s right or wrong for our military presence anywhere, it’s those folks like you and your E-9 that give us our freedom.

I honour your commitment to the flag and the defence of our constitution as I do all military members. And I can totally see your side of things. But in my truest belief, a majority of the folks that yell during the Anthem are not disrespecting the flag or for which it stands. Yes, there are always some out there that do but I don’t condone that either. I was disgusted at that punk at the Art Institute years ago that had the flag on the floor. I helped prevent some mid-Easterners from burning a flag at Circle Centre at UIC in the 80’s. Those are examples of disrespect IMHO.

When I brought my cousin (a Vietnam vet and POW) to Chicago Stadium in the late 80’s and early 90’s he did mention that he wished folks would not be so boistrous during the Anthem. While he did stand at attention and salute just like you do, most of the other 19,000 there those nights voiced their support for the ‘Hawks while dozens of folks had US flags of varying sizes waving during Wayne’s rendition. He did also say that he thought it would be quite unusual to see everyone do what he did.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 30, 2008 6:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

a bit of excitement doesn't bother me

some boisterous shouting is not my issue at all. Don’t get me wrong. That just that isn’t my issue

.. my point is that there are people who just act like nothing’s going on any differently when the National Anthem is played and even escalate some highly offensive personal behavior that has nothing to do with the moment at hand. If the players on the field are at least going to stand and give attention to the NA, why should we have to suffer the clueless around us?

To temporarily remind us that as Americans, the NA – as I see it – is just one civic way to remind us that there’s something bigger and greater on this plane of existence that we should give some manner of due respect to. Now rank enthusiasm like flag waving, shouting during a stirring vocal .. that’s one thing. That’s showing attention to what’s going on and allowing for personal expression within that civil context.

Some of the asinine and self-centered behavior a small number of fans indulge in at that time is NOT appreciated or welcome. Yeah, it’s a free country alright. Let’s just for all of three minutes STOP and focus on something that reminds us of it.

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Dec 31, 2008 3:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not a crusade..........

………..but it’s certainly embarassing to me as a Chicagoan when such rudeness is displayed in only one place across our entire great nation: The United Center and then only when the Hawks are playing.

It’s a sad stain on the great City of Chicago, but I’m not sure I can top what “cubnational” has stated in his post.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Dec 30, 2008 6:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

See my post above to Cubnational

I was writing it when your latest post came up.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 30, 2008 6:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Also there has been talk the next person they bring back will be Messmer not to the org but to have his voice lighting up the UC like it did in the old days at the Stadium.

If you’ve never been part of the anthem before a Blackhawks game at even the UC you’ve missed something.

If you really want to get chills go to youtube and bring up the 1991 All Star game anthem.

Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)

by cubstoseriesby100 on Dec 29, 2008 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jim Cornelison.........

……….has been handling the National Anthem for the Hawks for quite some time now, so he might feel slighted if asked to step aside for this historic event. I love Wayne too, but no one can say Cornelison is not outstanding in his own right.

I’d hope to hear Harvey Wittenberg on the PA for this one. It was great listening to him moderate events at this year’s Hawks Convention. Hearing his voice over the PA at Wrigley? Now THAT would be special.

As for the “lighting up” of any arena, the “Disgrace on Damen” is the irreverence of Hawks fans during the Anthem. The behavior of the crowd is despicable.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Dec 29, 2008 8:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cornelison confirmed.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=400847

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Dec 30, 2008 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Were you at the '91 ASG?

I actually got tix 2 rows closer to the ice than my regular ST location; sect X mezz.

When Pat announced during the emcee, “….we welcome in NHL fans around the world, including our soldiers in the middle East watching on the armed forces network; to the most exciting hockey arena in the world, Chicago Stadium” I almost cried like a baby.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 30, 2008 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Let just hope

Messmer sings NA

Dempster – Opening Face off

A nice cloudy day with snow flurries

Ernie riding on the zamboni

4 – 4 Tie – with a Hawks shoot out win in 5 rounds

“Let Play two”

I've been bleeding double blue Cubbies & NY Rangers

by parrotinct on Dec 29, 2008 3:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The shoot out sucks.

Plus that would mean the Detroit Dickheads would get a point in the standings. Can’t abide by that.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Dec 29, 2008 8:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Here Here!!

I am waiting for the first smelly Detroit jerk to walk in our friendly confines and bring an octopus. Let’s go Hawks!!!!

by dlansfor on Dec 29, 2008 10:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Point 'em out and they'll get 'em outta there...

I got someone thrown out of the Stadium during the ‘92 division finals for having one of those things with him. And I waited until right before the Anthem before I said anything. Didn’t hurt that a buddy of mine who worked for the CPD was one of the security guys in our area.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 30, 2008 12:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs