Winter Classic


buckbuster11

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Yeah, this was probably the first thing the NHL has done right in a long time- at least from a marketing standpoint.

Wow....I think I agree with Muggs! Dang I need help!

I liked the game...would like to see more national coverage and not all on "paid" channels. Some more outside games would be cool too.

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As you all know I'm NOT a hockey person

This is because you are a DB.:)

I for one did not hear one word about this game

Also because you are a DB.:)

But do you really think playing 1 game a week outside would really create that big of an impact for the league??:confused::confused:

What you need to do is go find some video of this game, especially the start, and watch it. ;)

The typical NHL game has 15,000-20,000 people in the stands if its sold out.

There were 72,000 people at this game and I haven't seen an atmosphere like that at any sporting event in a while.

This game also drew the highest rating for a hockey game since 1996. Plus, I woke up yesterday to see Mike and Mike talking about it on their morning show on ESPN. I also heard other national radio guys talking about it throughout the day and they never talk about hockey. The highlights are all over Sportscenter and other shows like it, so I'd say the NHL made out pretty good.

If the NHL can create that kind of atmosphere in a "Game of the Week" type situation on Sunday afternoons or nights after the NFL season I think they could have a big impact.

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Yup, it really put hockey to the forefront, at least for a short time. Very smart move all-around. Bettman must have got some creative help because I don't see that DB being the brainchild behind this game.:D

Having it in a hockey town like Buffalo, against the Pens so the world could see Sid the Kid...very smart. It couldn't have ended any better either.:cool:

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This is because you are a DB.:)

Also because you are a DB.:)

:confused::confused:

What you need to do is go find some video of this game, especially the start, and watch it. ;)

The typical NHL game has 15,000-20,000 people in the stands if its sold out.

There were 72,000 people at this game and I haven't seen an atmosphere like that at any sporting event in a while.

This game also drew the highest rating for a hockey game since 1996. Plus, I woke up yesterday to see Mike and Mike talking about it on their morning show on ESPN. I also heard other national radio guys talking about it throughout the day and they never talk about hockey. The highlights are all over Sportscenter and other shows like it, so I'd say the NHL made out pretty good.

If the NHL can create that kind of atmosphere in a "Game of the Week" type situation on Sunday afternoons or nights after the NFL season I think they could have a big impact.

I guess since I don't see or hear much about hockey I didn't relize that so few people attended games.....

From what your saying it does sound like this had a big impact for hocky....Maybe it could help them......

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:confused::confused:

I guess since I don't see or hear much about hockey I didn't relize that so few people attended games.....

From what your saying it does sound like this had a big impact for hocky....Maybe it could help them......

The arenas only seat 15,000-20,000 Todd- same goes for the NBA.;)

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so are NHL games are sold out a large amount of the time????

If so why do they not make bigger stadiums???

I wouldn't say a large amount, but yeah, they sell out and draw large #'s in most of their markets. I'm pretty sure down in Columbus, the Blue Jackets sell out every game- if they don't- I know it's close.

Some clubs draw really well in southern markets, and other markets you wouldn't think of as being a hockey area, like Southern California. I know the Anahiem Ducks draw tons of fans.

I'm not sure why they don't build larger arenas, but like I said, it's the same for the NBA and I'm not sure why they don't build bigger ones. The only reason I can really think of, is that both leagues play 82 game seasons- and maybe the smaller arenas sell out more over a longer season then they would if they were larger. Sort of like a financial trade-off or something...just a guess though, I'm really not sure.

btw- you gotta think, most of the NHL's revenue has to come from ticket sales- because they sure aren't getting the TV $$'s being buried on the VS network.

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so are NHL games are sold out a large amount of the time????

If so why do they not make bigger stadiums???

Not nessecarily.Certain markets do better than others.Detroit-yes....a place like Florida-no.

I think having an outdoor game every week may take away from the experience a bit.Once or twice a year and it will get a lot of attention that might wear off if they do it every week.Not sure how the seats are at a venue like that.No doubt the atmosphere would be great,but it seemed like the fans were quite a ways away from the action.

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btw- you gotta think, most of the NHL's revenue has to come from ticket sales- because they sure aren't getting the TV $$'s being buried on the VS network.

Yep since most of the money comes from ticket sales I figured they should want to big builder arenas.......:confused:

I'm not sure why they don't build larger arenas, but like I said, it's the same for the NBA and I'm not sure why they don't build bigger ones. The only reason I can really think of, is that both leagues play 82 game seasons- and maybe the smaller arenas sell out more over a longer season then they would if they were larger. Sort of like a financial trade-off or something...just a guess though, I'm really not sure.

Good point maybe thats why.

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Not nessecarily.Certain markets do better than others.Detroit-yes....a place like Florida-no.

I think having an outdoor game every week may take away from the experience a bit.Once or twice a year and it will get a lot of attention that might wear off if they do it every week.Not sure how the seats are at a venue like that.No doubt the atmosphere would be great,but it seemed like the fans were quite a ways away from the action.

That's not necessarily true. Here's a link. Actually Todd, looks like your Blues are at the bottom of the list. But they draw when the Blues are good- I know that.

btw- I sorted it based on % of attendance as opposed to shear #'s of ticket sales since all arenas aren't the same size. You'll see Tampa Bay is #6, and San Jose is right there too.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2007

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:confused::confused:

I guess since I don't see or hear much about hockey I didn't relize that so few people attended games.....

From what your saying it does sound like this had a big impact for hocky....Maybe it could help them......

I'm just messing with you bud. ;):D

As far as building bigger arenas, I'm not totally sure what the main reason is but you'd think it's because if you get any bigger you are going to have a lot of people not really being able to see the game.

Let's say the rink is half the size, maybe smaller, then/than a football field. For example, if you count all the seats in the first row at a football stadium it's going to be about 5 times more then all the front row seats you can wrap around a rink. In order to get the same amount of seats in there, the last levels would be about a mile and a half above the rink.:rolleyes::o

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this from a Wisconsin guy...you should be ashamed Craig.:o:D

like Casey told a guy back when he was about 3 who asked him if he was going to grow up and be a hockey player, "We hate stinkin hockey" lol :p:D

I'll stay outta these threads for the rest of the season...even if it lasts 10 months of the year :eek::p

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That's a great link Muggs!I had no idea that my Bluenotes had the worst attendance in the league in '07.:confused:I would've never guessed that.They have had two sell outs this year and one against Detroit was the biggest crowd ever playing in that building.I used to get partial season tickets and make about 12 games a year before the lock out.Now I only go 2 or 3 times a year.

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you know what MUDRUNNER, they were among the highest in 2002- not sure what happened there??

Right before the lockout/strike they dumped all their high salary players and didn't have much talent.Before that they held the record for consecutive seasons making the playoffs in ANY sport and drew great crowds.They have pretty much stunk since then and finally are just now playing decent hockey and the crowds are starting to come back.A good playoff run should help some too.

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