Winter “Classic” or Simmering Cynicism?

Anybody remember the first USA Winter Classic?  Before NBC thought this would actually become a yearly ritual and the announcers didn’t call it “The Bridgestone Winter Classic, brought to you by NBC.” Remember when you heard about the game and you cancelled your New Year’s Eve party plans so you would get a good night’s sleep to watch the game live…even though you could’ve tivo-ed it?  Remember how your non-hockey friends looked at you as if you’d sprouted three heads when you told them you were going to spend New Year’s Day NOT watching the Rose Parade? Remember the announcer in the blimp say “well, I was supposed to be doing play by play commentary, but a cloud got in the way.”

Remember the blizzard?  Remember the sock touque?

Remember how insanely special that game was?

Alas, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

Not that the Classic is going away, but now that NBC has discovered that more than 10,000 people like hockey, they’ve violated the original idea and focused on nothing but the dollar signs.

Penguins vs. Capitals in Pittsburgh. 

Feh.

The whole idea of the Winter Classic was supposed feature a dynamic match up each year, different teams, different cities, 80,000 fans screaming their brains out in sub-zero temperatures.  Tailgating at a football stadium before a hockey game.  Unreal.  Surreal.  Magic beyond comprehension.

To say that I’m pissed off is a gross understatement.

And to make matters worse, NBC said that they are not interested in broadcasting a Winter Classic that doesn’t feature American teams playing in an American venue.  They’re worried viewership would suffer.

Wow.  How dense are these executives?  They actually believe that if the Winter Classic took place in – oh, I don’t know – Montreal with the Habs facing the Sens, that no one would watch?  What a bunch of retards!

Wait, that’s insulting the mentally challenged. 

NBC is a bunch of ARTARDS!

It’s the novelty of the game, the uniqueness, the sense of fun that draws people to watch.  It’s not just hockey, its history! 

Canada is attempting to put on their own version in February with the Flames vs. the Canadiens in Calgary, but not only is that decision still up in the air, it also begs the question, will more than one outdoor game dilute the uniqueness of either event?  Think of the casual viewer.  They’ll see the game in February listed and think, oh, what’s the point.  I just watched an outdoor game last month.  What’s the big deal?

Matt Iseman, host of VERSUS’ Sports Soup had a more positive take on the situation.  Here’s the short version:

“I think the Winter Classic is the best new professional sporting event in decades.  Outdoor hockey in subzero temperatures is brilliant.  It’s hockey as it’s meant to be experienced, particularly when it’s held in some outrageous venues like Wrigley and Fenway. 

“As for the matchup, I don’t think every team should be guaranteed a chance to play.  It’s not the Winter feelgood Round robin, it’s the Winter Classic.  I am all about choosing the best teams to make it as competitive as possible.  Pitting the Pens against the Caps is the Stanley Cup we all thought we’d see this year, so let’s drop the puck!

“The whole point is to raise the profile of hockey in the US so more companies buy ads, the TV dollars go up and hockey players can get paid enough to get bad tattoos and cut worse rap albums.  This gross exercise in marketing greed works; it gives us one of the most unique sporting events all year.

“I can see how NBC’s national-centric position might be offensive to our maple syrup loving hosers up north, but, the reality is, the network is still trying to reintroduce hockey to the mainstream masses who don’t know Ottawa from Ottumwa.  I think it’s fine if Canada has their own version, but in America we want teams from cities where we’re pretty sure French is not the first language.  I say, pick 2 American teams to square off… so what if their lineups are stacked with Euros, Russkies and Canucks… the name on the front of that jersey is American so we can cheer for them while drinking our Bud Lights… that’s the American way.

“For the record, my college roommates were all hockey playing canucks and I ran my opinions by them, but they were too drunk to respond.  So I say, bring on the Winter Classic with Washington vs. Pittsburgh (and the Canadian vs. the Russian star).”

My fellow writers had some pretty strong opinions of their own:

Frank Rekas: “Overall, [NBC has] improved their coverage, but they have a long way to go.  CBC and TSN do it perfectly.  ESPN did a great job too.  What I don’t like is that NBC sometimes doesn’t show the anthem.  That is a part of the game that everyone needs to see, especially during the playoffs.

“I love the outdoor game.  With two next year, the NHL needs to be careful not to screw up a great thing.”

Eugene Markman: “Am I the only one not in love? Even though it’s once a year, I already think it’s overdone. I know it’s highly rated, so I guess I’m in the minority. I don’t know what, but I think it needs a change to spice things up. And please, stop doing it in oddly shaped baseball stadiums. Sightlines for fans are TERRIBLE. Put it in a freaking football stadium so people can maybe get a normal view of the action.

“I think NBC and Versus are terrible in their coverage. I hate their host, Bill Patrick. The guy covered golf for ages, now he’s doing hockey? He’s boring and lifeless. I want hockey back on ESPN. Even if most of their guys have little credibility, at least they’re a bit more entertaining. Jonesy and Clement are pretty fun, I’d keep them around.  Getting back on track, if NBC is against Canada having a game, then this needs to be made more public. It’s their game, we must not and cannot exclude them from it.”

Austin Waldron: “I am okay with the Winter Classic, but I think this year’s double will be stupid. I am tired of always seeing freaking Sid. Seems like over half the time NBC does cover hockey its Pittsburgh or Washington. There are other good players in the league too.  I agree about the setting.  While it is cool to see a hockey game next to the “Green Monster”, the sight lines are bad for so many fans. And I don’t see Calgary as a good choice to play Montreal.

“On another note, I am not a fan of hockey on NBC. Quality-wise, it seems to be about half as good as watching my local Stars games. I rarely like anything about the cast or broadcast. VERSUS is slightly better sometimes because I love Razor and they have him on some games. But sometimes there visual presentation is not great.  Their cameras cut out or [they] come back late from commercials or miss somthing.”

But let’s put the corporate greed and personal gripes aside and instead turn our attention to the players and the people who make the whole thing happen.  Go watch a replay of any Winter Classic.  Check out the players on the bench.  They can’t focus 100% on the game because they’re too busy with their jaws between their skates looking at more fans than they’ve ever seen in their lives.  And as for the people who make it happen?  Do you really think anyone in their right mind would take a job that required being up at 3am when the temperature is below freezing, spraying water on an outdoor rink?  This goes beyond simple dedication or even passion.  This borders on insanity.

Which, I believe, that we as hockey fans, is just the way we like it.

Tags: blizzard, Bridgestone, Calgary, Canada, Canadiens, canucks, Capitals, Fenway, Flames, Habs, hockey, ice, Matt Iseman, Montreal, NBC, new years day, New Year’s Eve, NHL, Penguins, Pittsburgh, Sens, Sports Soup, VERSUS, Winter Classic, Wrigley