Winter Classic [Construction] Details

by blackhawk24 on Dec 5, 2008 7:25 AM CST Comment 35 comments

The Suntimes has a nice article today about how famed Wrigley Field is going to be outfitted with the "standard" 200' x 85' NHL rink for New Years Day.

There's some perspective by one of the chief players in getting the rink built out and with the best possible quality come Jan 1st, per Dan Craig, known as the NHL's "Ice Man". There's a total of 10 ice experts, 2 from Chi-Town that are part of the main team getting this done.

Work will begin in 10 days with several trucks coming to Chi-Town from Toronto. Material will include a complete refrigeration system. They speak of an ice surface 2" thick (about double of a typical indoor hockey rink) and needing 12,000 gallons of water. Those numbers don't seem to jive too much as it should take about 21,000 gallons for a 2" thick ice surface, but one of those numbers may be a typo. The floor base is made of Aluminium panels.

They're ready for anything that can happen. Dan was interviewed between periods of the 'Hawks game the other night and is very excited to be playing a marquee NHL game between 2 of the original 6 teams (Bruins, Rangers, Canadiens & Maple Leafts are the other 4) in one of baseballs' shrines. I know I can't wait to head over to Wrigley that day; I don't care how cold it is outside.

The rinks' long side closer to the main grandstands will be only 8-10' behind the mound. The rink [length-wise] will face approximately NW to SE. So centre ice will be just a few feet on the pitchers' mound side of the 2nd base bag. The rink ends will extend about 25' past the foul lines along the line drawn from the corner bases. There will be no "glass seats" for spectators BTW.

I can't remember where I saw this but it was another article; several of the Cubs players plan to be at Wrigley for the game especially native Canadian's Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden.

I for one believe they have every angle covered and can't wait to head over to Wrigley on Jan 1st!

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/1315619,CST-NWS-rink05.article

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Iceman?

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)

by Fuk-U-Meter on Dec 5, 2008 7:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, Ice Man...

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)

by Fuk-U-Meter on Dec 5, 2008 7:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yo whattup, Ice Man?

Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.

by dat cubfan daver on Dec 5, 2008 11:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I used to rock my hair like that.

by McRipper on Dec 5, 2008 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bears

It sounds like it will be laid out somewhat like the football field at Bears games were in the ’60’s.

"It's a funny old world. Man's lucky if he gets out of it alive." W.C. Fields

by KedzieKid on Dec 5, 2008 8:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Not really.

Here’s the seating chart that shows where the rink will be.

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

by Al on Dec 5, 2008 8:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Al

Is it okay if I send a link to here to a friend in my non sports group who is coming in for the game? I know she won’t cause trouble.

MaIne South Hawks 2008 Class 8a Champs!

by cubstoseriesby100 on Dec 5, 2008 8:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure, I guess.

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

by Al on Dec 5, 2008 8:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It seems to make more

sense to place the rink exactly as the Bears field was laid out, N to S — but I guess they wanted the rink as close to the grandstand as possible. The bleacher seats would have been great under that configuration.

Of couse, this alignment also places the rink straight-on with the press box. There used to be a football press box, some might remember, but it was removed during the renovation to add the ‘luxury’ boxes.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Dec 5, 2008 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bears were...

North to South pretty much. Right along the LF foul line. There was barely enough room for the endzones and to boot, the goal-post footings were right along the 1st base line. They found them when Wrigley was resurfaced last fall.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 5, 2008 9:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In fact...

… the end zones for NFL games at Wrigley Field weren’t regulation length. They were only eight yards long.

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

by Al on Dec 5, 2008 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My Grandpa

tells a story about a Bears game he went to at Wrigley in which Bronco Nagurski charged into the short endzone with his head down and plowed right into the brick wall in the outfield. He knocked himself out.

Looking around online I found a slightly different version of the story

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Dec 5, 2008 9:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

NHL should have used the shorter ice diminisions from Chicago Stadium for old times’ sake. (NO, not really, but that would be pretty cool.)

Also, are they going to fire up the organ for this game? ‘Cause if they need an organist, I’m so there.

Shameless self promotion!

by znohitter on Dec 5, 2008 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dempster

I think Ryan is going to throw out the first puck or something like that and be an honorary captain for the Blackhawks. (I know it’s drop the puck but on WGN the other day they said throw out and it sounded funny)

MaIne South Hawks 2008 Class 8a Champs!

by cubstoseriesby100 on Dec 5, 2008 8:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The article you mentioned about Cubs players...

… was on the Blackhawks website.

Linky

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

by Al on Dec 5, 2008 8:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone else get a chance for the tickets ?

I did the season ticket lottery and got an e mail that I have a chance to buy tickets today at 3. I am only doing it
for an old friend as I won’t be in Chicago and have no interest in Hockey. I will probably end up in the virtual waiting room hell so who else will be there ?

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Dec 5, 2008 9:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I got one too.

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

by Al on Dec 5, 2008 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I got one too

For 3:00 p.m.

Al: Is yours the same time? Are you trying for bleacher seats? Any idea if bleachers will be assigned? I would love to sit in my usual seats and see (or not see) the game.

by gocubsgo22 on Dec 5, 2008 11:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, it appears they're all for the same time.

I assume all seats will be assigned seating, as this event is being run by the NHL, not the Cubs.

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

by Al on Dec 5, 2008 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Mine

We have both and are going to try and get tickets for friends. We already have tickets for ourselves as Blackhawks season ticket holders.

MaIne South Hawks 2008 Class 8a Champs!

by cubstoseriesby100 on Dec 5, 2008 1:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be there. Same time.

You should be able to get them without much waiting because I believe it is only for season ticket holders. That’s really nice to do for your friend!

by bergs55 on Dec 5, 2008 9:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Season ticket holders...

Blackhawks season ticket holders that is, had a chance to purchase Winter Classic tickets several weeks ago. What is being held now IIRC is a general ticket dispersement to other folks.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 5, 2008 9:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

From what I can tell..

… today’s sale (and it actually goes until December 14) is from the Cubs season ticket holder lottery.

There was another general lottery that was on the Blackhawks website; I imagine whatever’s left (if anything) after December 14 will be sold to people who signed up for that lottery.

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

by Al on Dec 5, 2008 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And so it begins...

From Winter Classic at Wrigley Field

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 5, 2008 9:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

What's beginning?

All I see is snow.

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

by Al on Dec 5, 2008 9:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno... the planning?

Forgive the overly dramatic James Earl Jones-like opening. Just thought folks would like to see a little ‘before’ picture.

Besides, a cold winter day at Wrigley is still better than a warm summer day at Busch…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 5, 2008 10:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I dunno.

I can watch a baseball game anywhere. It’d be tough to play baseball on that field today…

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

by Al on Dec 5, 2008 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sort of like game 5 of this year's WS

by gocubsgo22 on Dec 5, 2008 11:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Which one? :P

Shameless self promotion!

by znohitter on Dec 5, 2008 11:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Blackhawks

I come from a hockey playing family. We have Blackhawks season tickets and are going and I can’t wait!

Guys if you haven’t watched a game it’s now the time to start getting on the bandwagon. This is just the beginning.

MaIne South Hawks 2008 Class 8a Champs!

by cubstoseriesby100 on Dec 5, 2008 1:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That was a nice comeback against the Ducks.

A veteran Anaheim team was just about to put the hammer down, but the kids came back off the deck, and with a happy bounce of the puck, kept the pressure on to win the game.

I didn’t see the comeback against the Leafs (blacked out on “Center Ice”) but the Leafs are just average. The Leafs blowing games at home — nothing new to see there! But, the Ducks are still very good, 2 years from winning the Stanley Cup.

To win that game at home was another big step. That other game IN Anaheim was very winnable, but that’s where the veteran aspect of the Ducks won out. (Which then, led to a let down against the terrible Kings)

Also, you did note that Quennville put all the skill players on the bench for the last couple of minutes and put the bangers out there…..I don’t recall (but I cannot see every game) if Savard ever tried that tactic (which is not really unusual) in a close game….in the final minutes…perhaps he did, but it was very noticable what the Q-man was trying to accomplish….

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Dec 5, 2008 3:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Plus during the trip

he benched Kane and Sharp for nearly the entire 2nd period in PHX for taking stupid penalties.

Q is holding the guys more accountable now than Savvy did.

On the Mallard’s games, the ’Hawks lesser size really stands out. They will continue to have that issue until they can size-up against these teams (Ana, SJ & Det). The conference is brutal physically. And the ’Hawks need to get bigger, both down low in the deep slot and back on the line.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 6, 2008 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Q is like...

…a Mike Keenan lite. He has the same presense that commands respect, but I think with a certain twist that won’t overwhelm the players.

The benching of Kane and Sharp was very impressive to me. They both took “lazy” penalities, and Q was having none of that. He is setting the bar at a certain level, and this will pay off as the season moves along.

The Hawks are fortuanate to have him and in about a year, will be considered the best coach in the city.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Dec 6, 2008 12:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs