The NHL Had Me At Hello: Red Wings 6, Blackhawks 4
by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 5:08 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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And still, no Chicago team has won a game at Wrigley Field since September 21, 2008. (I liked the touch the scoreboard operators used with the yellow numbers for scores of periods in progress, identical to the baseball procedure for innings still going on.)
In front of 40,818 at Wrigley Field this afternoon, the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 6-4, letting the young upstarts from Chicago take a 3-1 first-period lead before showing exactly why they are the defending champions.
For the last two seasons, former Cub president John McDonough has been working diligently to get the Blackhawks back on the front burner of Chicago sports fans' thoughts. On that score, he has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. While there was a significant minority of Detroit fans in Wrigley Field today (some of whom, probably Tigers fans in baseball, had never been there before -- I heard some walking around Clark Street after the game saying, "Where do we go now?"), it was an overwhelmingly Blackhawk fan crowd, not just people coming to Wrigley for an event, though it surely was that. Blackhawk jerseys old ("LARMER", "RUUTU" among them) and current -- many Winter Classic replicas, mostly Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews models -- were on display everywhere. It's about the only time you'll see red on display everywhere at Wrigley and not think "Get all these Cardinals fans out of here!", although with both teams having red as a principal color, it wasn't just Blackhawks red jerseys in evidence.
That, of course, led to many chants of "Let's Go Red Wings!" followed by "Detroit sucks!" from Hawk fans, and though there is a deep-seated and strong rivalry between the two teams, it never seemed malicious or hate-filled -- fans of both teams seemed genuinely excited to be seeing this once-in-a-lifetime game. It was nice to meet Christy, the Red Wings SBN blogger at Winging It In Motown.
For me as a Cubs fan, the experience was surreal, seeing snow and ice and two large video screens (one of which was almost directly placed over my usual seat in the left-field bleachers) in my summertime baseball palace. And that is the reason the NHL staged this game in this venue. Today was not only a game to help put the Blackhawks back on the Chicago sporting map -- something it succeeded in, perhaps beyond McDonough's wildest dreams -- but it was also a coming-out party for the NHL. The high profile of Wrigley Field, the two large cities and Original Six NHL teams involved, will likely make this the highest-rated NHL telecast in the USA in decades, if not ever, and the good contest may, at last, get some casual fans back into the sport. (Say, how did that "card stunt" look on TV? It looked cool at the park, though I couldn't tell what we were all spelling out. I got a card that was red on one side, blue on the other.)
It's already done so for me, and though the Blackhawks were dominated today, there is no doubt that they have talent, will (barring an unforeseen collapse) make the playoffs, and once that happens, who knows how far things can go?
The weather cooperated -- it was cloudy, which helped for visibility, and the temperature of 30 degrees wasn't that much colder than several recent Cubs Opening Day games (for comparison's sake, the average temperature of the last 20 home openers is 44 degrees, and that includes the strike-delayed April 28, 1995 opener when it was 61 degrees). The sun tried to poke through the clouds late in the afternoon, but by then the angle of the sun wouldn't have caused too many shadows even if it had blazed through brightly. The wind was a bit strong, flapping the flags on the scoreboard (not standing flags as they would be during the baseball season, they appeared to be flags with Winter Classic logos and a couple with sponsor logos -- that sponsor, incidentally, slapped logos on the back of the penalty box, which blocked part of the near-side view), and thus I was doubly lucky to be in a seat behind the first-base on-deck circle, which not only gave a nice view for the $75 price, but was blocked from the wind. Since all seats were reserved, they didn't restrict people without bleacher tickets from going into the bleachers; I took a walk around before the game. The view from my regular seat in the LF corner would have been pretty good, and if you were high enough in the corners of the bleachers, you also had a pretty good view for $75.
So now I've been in Wrigley Field for a live sporting event in every month except December, February, and ... November. Perhaps about ten months from now, that last one will change.
I don't profess to be an expert on hockey, so I'll let others do more detailed analysis. Below the fold (click on the "Continue reading this post" link) is a photo essay on today's game. It was great fun. Hockey, you've got me back. This won't be my last Blackhawks game. Go Hawks!
Pregame view of the hockey rink from center field
The auxiliary scoreboard, placed where the TV cameras normally are for baseball games
The Blackhawks in their pregame skatearound
The Red Wings in their pregame skatearound
Blackhawks legends Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Denis Savard (Tony Esposito partially hidden behind Hull). Must have been weird for Savard to be there after having been fired as coach only a couple of months ago.
Cubs legends Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg and Fergie Jenkins (that's brave, Ryno, going hatless!)
The teams take the ice to a display of fireworks
Teams lined up during the national anthems
Navy jets fly over Wrigley Field after the anthems
First period action
Zambonis clear the ice after the first period
Best sign of the day
Third period action
Hawks and Cubs legends lead the crowd in "Take Me Out To The Hockey Game" under the watchful eye of the Harry Caray caricature
Teams line up for a postgame handshake -- one of the NHL's best traditions
Click on photos to open larger versions in a new browser window. All photos by Al
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Glad you had fun, Al
I won’t be able to see it on AFN until about 4am my time tomorrow morning. But as football took priority, I got to watch my Cornhuskers come from behind to defeat Clemson!
The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.
Glad you enjoyed the football game.
Hope you enjoy the hockey, even on replay!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Hey, I won't be staying up!
I’ll settle for the highlights online and on sportscenter!
The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.
Also, the main question....
What was Wrigley like with Video? No pictures of the temporary screens?
The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.
I took a couple of pix of those screens...
… but they came out blurry, so I didn’t post them.
The screens were in the LF and RF corners, barely noticeable from where I was sitting — and a lot smaller than I thought they would be.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
What do you think
Al what do you think of them as an option for games? I am against it.
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 puckishcubsfan on Jan 1, 2009 6:01 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think they were that bad.
Obviously the placement wouldn’t work for baseball, but the size of the boards were about the same as the Miller billboard in Right Field, and you could easily see what was on it. I wouldn’t mind a board, as long as it didn’t block any views from the rooftops, and it wasn’t surrounded by ads like most boards are. A simple screen like today would be acceptable.
There's just no place
to put them permanently that would really make it look like they have been part of the ball park for some time.
I have to admit though, I took a few dozen pics of those boards (mostly pregame but some during the game) and they came out OK.
Still though, for Wrigley – as it was intended to be by the baseball God’s – I’d rather do without than to see something crammed in. I doubt there can be anything of appreciable size on the upper deck facade that wouldn’t block the Mezz suite / upper terrace reserved seats.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
For this event..........
……….the screens were fine, but they’d be waaaaay out of place for baseball.
Not only that, but they would only assist some of the crowd and the loss of ambieance would not be worth the trouble.
"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
Once in a Lifetime
I so badly wanted to be there, I’m glad that you enjoyed the day and that you realize how special it was. Great pics, and wonderful post!
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
I watched a little
since our Iowa Hawkeyes were kicking butt and the way it looks representing the Big 10 with their only win. A great football game for the hawks but I digress. NBC did a great job showing the stadium and the fans often. I had never really thought about it but was surprised to see the roof tops mostly occupied. The Wrigleyville bar owners had to be happy with a winter present of fans. I wonder if this could become an annual event. Looks like a win-win all the way around.
Al, what kind of profit did the Cubs earn from this? Host a few more hockey games and add a couple of baseball players!
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
That's a good question.
I don’t know how much the Cubs made, but you can be sure they didn’t do this for free.
You’re right about the bar owners — the places were packed.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Yes, actually it was a really good seat for the price.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Also
What did they do to change the color of the seats to say “Red Wings”, “Winter Classic” etc. They paint them?
BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!
Cards.
I presume that was what the “card stunt” was about. Did you see it? What did we spell out?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
huh, well I can see on some of these pics
Red Wings, Winter Classic, etc. on the seats of Wrigley. Pretty neat I’d say.
On the second picture, if you look closely at the seats, you can see words on them.
BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!
Right, those were the cards that were there before the game.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Don't think TV covered the stunt
I was watching, of course, but not closely
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
First it spelled
Happy New Year, then the second was Red Wings and Blackhawks in the lower level, and Winter Classic in the upper. Al, you were on the “Red Wings” side, and you probably noticed everyone throwing their cards up like confetti once they realized they were spelling ’Red Wings". I was behind home plate/center ice, and both sides looked really neat.
what do you mean by card stunt?
so were cards placed there at the beginning to spell it?
BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!
every seat had a card
and they were colored on both sides, with “stunt 1” and “stunt 2” being the 2 different phrases they spelled out
Thanks for the info!
I had no idea we were spelling “Red Wings”. I did see the cards fly in the air, though.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I was in 138...........
………….and once we noticed “Blackhawks” on the far side (3rd base side) of the field, I realized we part of something disgusting.
Not trying to take all the credit, but I quickly pointed this out to others around me and the trashing was on. Everyone started tearing up their cards and throwing them around. Next thing you know the entire stadium was tossing the cards around.
"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
I dropped my card...
… but decided to keep it as a souvenir of the game.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Also
It did make me miss baseball more :). Anyone else feel that way?
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)
I actually really wanted to see Football
at Wrigley. Being well to young to see da bears at Wrigley, I was imagining how cool it would be to see a bears game at Wrigley.
Definitely.
And Al cemented it by writing
“So now I’ve been in Wrigley Field for a live sporting event in every month except December, February, and … November. Perhaps about ten months from now, that last one will change.”
Was still a fun experience to watch. And much love to Fergie for going all Cubbie blue.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Jan 2, 2009 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
It REALLY made me miss baseball......
When the game came on the air, seeing Wrigley for the first time in a couple months, all the Chicago fans, the rooftops, I actually had a tear rolling out……… What a special afternoon! April cannot get here soon enough!
The video Screens...
changed my mind about having them in Wrigley. These screens we not overbearing and they seemed to fit in. I think they might be a prototype to what will be eventually installed at the park. I have some pictures I took of the screens and I need to check my camera to see how they came out. If they are any good, I will post them.
Kasey
See what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Also, see the Cubs 2009 schedule at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2009.html
Thanks.
My screen photos did not come out well, so if you have any, please do post them.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
How do you post pics Al...
and is there an option to reduce the size of the pic being posted? Most of mine are 2-5MB.
FWIW, I took over 180 pics yesterday and most of them came out OK. I was in section 121 right behind home plate. In fact took a pic of home plate with the winter classic logo on it.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
You'll have to upload them to a photo site like Flickr or Photobucket...
…. and then you can link to them.
Sorry I couldn’t find you yesterday — was in 126, not too far from you.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Here are a couple I took
You can see more pictures I took at the Winter classic at http://www.cubsbythenumbers.com/wc-pics.html
Kasey
See what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Also, see the Cubs 2009 schedule at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2009.html
Great day for the NHL
Only too bad my beloved Blackhawks could not finally find a way to beat the Red Wings. For those of you who don’t follow hockey much Detroit is the equivalent of the New York Yankees in the late 90’s right now. They have a veteran international All-Star collection on that roster. But mark my words the Blackhawks are on the definite rise. If things keep progressing like they are with this very impressive young core then it will be Chicago who is hoisting the Stanley Cup in two years.
The only thing could have been better is if Pat Foley was doing the call with Eddie O. today.
The hawks have a very bright future. Watching the Red Wings and their depth and composure today, i came to the conclusion that if any team can repeat as cup champs its them. A few years from now Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Washington, are going to be the three elite teams in the NHL. Man is that going to be fun too watch.
Maybe the NHL could put this at night so the flames, and fireworks are more visible? And a live performance from an A-list music name would draw even bigger ratings
That could be in the works some time down the road
in a warmer climate (e.g. a “nite game”). Just so the music “name(s)” don’t begin with Brittney, Jessica or the like.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
Let's Play Two
Wish the result on the ice had been better, but what a success all around.
Here are a couple of photos from my end. I think I got one of the video board that worked I’ll try to post as well.
<img src=“[IMG]”http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/08cubs/DSC_0167.jpg" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/08cubs/DSC_0167.jpg[/IMG]"/>
Geez............
………….08Cubs………..we had to be next to each other.
Section 138, Row 12 for me.
"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
Great Show on HD
Fortunately the cloud cover allowed the game to be telecast with somewhat even lighting. Seeing hockey on a big screen TV in HD was a treat, particularly with the Blackhawks playing. The game last year was good too, though I think this year’s broadcast was shot better. I don’t know how fans in the corners of Wrigley could see much of anything going on.
This game reminded me of a Bears game: offense coming up with some surprises but the defense yielding too many points, particularly at the end of games. There were too many time when Red Wing players hung out near the crease without any Blackhawk player challenging them. Huet also did not have a good game either.
Like you, Al, I grew up with old-time hockey back in the 60’s-70’s. We even had one of the Blackhawk players live down the street from us (middle class Downers Grove neighborhood), though I can’t remember his name. How was the crowd noise after Eager scored the third goal compared to when a Cub player would hit a walk-off homer?
Pie, Fontenot, Theriot and Soto up the middle ... yippie oh, oh, oh!
The crowd was electric...
… at least in the first period when the Hawks took that 3-1 lead. They were more subdued later and after the Wings went up 6-3, quite a number of people left.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
GREAT REPORT AL,
Being from Michigan and a Cubs fan had to really watch what I said….But yes the great coverage from Wrigley and the kickoff of the MLB is great ….Can’t wait for Mesa ….
Funny to hear ...
… the thunderous voice of Sox PA announcer, Gene Honda, at Wrigley.
I enjoyed root, root, rooting for the home team at Wrigley for a change.
Yes, that was weird to hear Gene Honda at Wrigley.
They used only PA speakers set on the field — it was hard to hear at times. They didn’t use the house PA — wonder if they are doing some work on it in the offseason?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
That was the biggest complaint I had...
I could barely hear anything from the PA.
Kasey
See what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Also, see the Cubs 2009 schedule at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2009.html
The lack of Harvey...........
…………Wittenberg would have been my biggest PA complaint.
I’m a non-fan of Gene Honda.
"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
Made it to the game...
what a great experience. Every national anthem should be as lively as the ones before hockey games.
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but it was a sad sight to look over the right field bleachers and see they added an extra digit to the eamus catuli sign.
I heart the riot. (www.riotshirts.com)
Precisely.
Other fans in other towns are far more reverent and respectful.
"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
Paul Sullivan settles feud today ...
(Ryan) Dempster watched the game from the upper deck with his brothers and some friends, including former Cubs Kerry Wood and Phil Nevin. White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski was also on hand, and we shook hands between the first and second periods, ending our long-running feud.
“This is even a bigger [dump] than I thought,” my new friend said.
That’s just A.J. being A.J. He looked like he was enjoying himself immensely, especially when Brent Seabrook checked Dan Cleary into the Hawks’ bench two minutes into the game. It was great theater, the kind a guy like Pierzynski can appreciate.
I’m not a hockey fan at all, but the hype got my attention and I agree with Sullivan:
Some of the Winter Classic hype was overdone, but the residual effect should be felt for quite some time.
It's a pity...........
…………that after Seabrook’s hit and others similar in the 1st period, the Hawks turtled on the ice.
No hits; no scoring; no victory.
A disgusting display of hockey by the Hawks after the first 20 minutes.
"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
I have to say
This was freakin AWESOME!!!! Not a fan of either team but was rooting for the Blackhawks. Lifelong Cubs fan. Wrigley was amazing and yes I am definitly ready for baseball now.
Went to the Cubby Bear for an early lunch. It was very busy inside and lots of Detriot Sucks chants broke out. Over to the field around 11 for some early pics. I have to say the National Anthem was absolutely amazing. I was very proud to be an American and I hope our troops holding the flag felt awesome. When I sing I sing for all our troops past and present and how much they have done and are still doing for our country.
The game itself was great. I have to say where I am from we have junior hockey and high school hockey and i knew there was a big difference, but i have to say ALL these players were huge.
If the NHL does not do a winter game every year they are missing the boat big time. Aslo could’nt belive how much stuff they gave away to the fans.
The video boards had several instances
where they showed the player’s walk up the 24-steps to the Stadium ice and was comparing that to the walk from the visitors club house at Wrigley.
They also had the Anthem replay of the NHL ASG at the Stadium in ’91.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
One more thing
I look at the live wbcam that is still going and I am wondering what is going on at the field today.
Anyone know?
Which webcam?
The NHL Network’s? I think that’s left over from yesterday.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Must be left over from yesterday. Man I wish I could have been able to get tickets to skate there on the 31st.
by ThisOldCub18 on Jan 2, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions
The community skate hasn't happened yet.
It’s on Sunday. i got tickets. I’ll take pictures and post some.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
And the prices for stuff. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!
I think they could have sold twice as much if they would have priced things better.
Very cool
I ended up watching the first period with my 6-year old son, and the fact that it kept his attention should tell you how cool it was. :)
And you even got to see a great flyover of a pair of F/A-18E’s. I am jealous! Too bad the Hawks couldn’t hold the lead they had early.
by Dave in the basement on Jan 2, 2009 1:34 PM CST reply actions
The National Anthem
was intense … I kind of wish we did that at Cubs games as well.
Trying to upload pic for the first time
Players walking towards the ice just prior to the opening face off; from my view in section 121.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
Good Stuff
The stunt was really cool – I am amazed that they were able to pull it off – its hard to get 40k people do do anything simultaneously.
Oddly enough, while they showed it on TV, they didnt talk about it at all.
The video screens looked small – but I would be STRONGLY against any video screen in Wrigley. Have you seen what they do with the jumbotron in the Cell? its basically pretty pictures and stats writ large… when they actually interrupt the advertisements for information. Unless you can show replays, especially of close plays, forget video screens. They just become big, moving ads.
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