2012 Winter Classic

[SoCalcaniac]

I guess we could talk about the game in the 24/7 thread, but I thought it would be good to have a separate thread as in years past.

Biggest note: Game time start has moved from Noon Eastern to 3pm Eastern on NBC.

Good move by the league and NBC. Some of the game will be under the lights too. Which could be interesting.


Pregame stuff on NHL Network starts at Noon. NBC Sports Network, formerly your Versus channel, will also have coverage pre and postgame.

Ilya "I'm a little out there" Bryzgalov caused a stir in announcing he wouldn'tbe the starter, before PL got to tell the media he wasn't starting. Bob will be in net.

The final installment of 24/7 will be outstanding.
I don't even have a rooting interest in either of these teams- but have found myself once again suckered in to the story and of course the spectacle that is the Winter Classic.

Can't wait.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

The alumni game was so freaking awesome I'm not sure today won't be a let-down for me. :lol:

I don't know if it's correct but, my program guide is showing pregame in NBC starting at 1pm. It wasn't updated with the new game time last night but, now it is and is showing pregame from 1 on. That would be pretty cool if they just did 2 hours of pregame as well!

[ButtersSaysNo]

Lets go FLYERS!

[Canesluver]

I've got weirdness on my TV right now. The picture and sound is the Ellen Degeneres show, but there's also sound of the commentators at the Winter Classic.

strange!

[Fghtr4jc]

24/7 has really given me some love for Ryan Callahan. Plus, injured or not, I refuse to cheer for a team with Pronger on the roster. Lets go Rangers!

[StormChaserBH]

I've got weirdness on my TV right now. The picture and sound is the Ellen Degeneres show, but there's also sound of the commentators at the Winter Classic.

strange!

They overlaid the NHL audio for a few minutes, but now they're just going with Ellen. Even WITN down in Greenville/Jacksonville is running the NHL pregame, but not our local station..... If you want to vent, as I did, I offer this tweet from Sundheim:


<s>@</s>MikeSundheim (http://twitter.com/#%21/MikeSundheim) Not happy with <s>@</s>NBC17 (http://twitter.com/#%21/NBC17) right now? Their programming phone number is 919-835-6364. GM's email is bmoses@wncn.com

[cmw00]

That sucks for you people who can't see the NBC sports show. For the last hour they've been showing highlights from NBC Sports, I've enjoyed it!

[KaniacFever]

^^I normally don't write disgruntled emails, but I did this time. I'm pissed. So if you live in Charlotte or Greensboro or Greenville etc. you can get the pre-game, but if you live in Raleigh, the home of the NHL Canes, you can't. Major and epic fail by NBC.

[cmw00]

Now they are previewing the 90 minute documentary on the 1972 Summit Series that will show after the game on NBC Sports (formerly Vs.), looking forward to that!

[KaniacFever]

Congrats to Brayden Schenn on getting his first NHL goal. No better way to get it then at the Winter Classic.


Go Flyers!!!!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Did Briere have money on the Rangers in this game? Why on earth would you not roof it on the PS?


I thought the penalty shot was the right call and I don't think anything was one-sided but, that aside, it's a real shame when the refs suck that bad on this big of a stage.

Wrong team won but, otherwise, awesome event. Much better than last year's, IMO.

[nccanes]

I was thinking it was the most 'exciting' of the recent past. I even missed most of the 2nd period!

I was pulling for the Rangers so I was happy to see Hank stop the PS and get the win.

Odd story with Bryz coming out about announcing that he was not playing after the day before practice -- and then PL stating he hadn't talked to the goalies. That will be an interesting relationship to see develop/unfold.

I can't believe the local NBC ditched the pregame...how embarrassing.

So can we leave the state of PA alone for awhile on the Winter Classic front? Both teams have been in twice and they've hosted 2 years in a row.

[SoCalcaniac]

This was easily the best WC in all of the five seasons. So enjoyable.

I really am not a fan of either team, but I am a Lundquist pom pom waver. Love that guy & not just cause he's so good lookin'.

The Flyers did an amazing job hosting the event...I continue to love watching Giroux play.

Torts is gonna get fined for his blast of the refs & saying "maybe the met with NBC to get it to OT or something"

On the so called pre game, you missed little...it was a big ' ol ad for NBC Sports..hockey was sprinkled in, then about 20 mins before gm, they were at warm ups. Local NBC was idiotic not to show it, but NHL Network's coverage was outstanding.

Hooray for Marc Staal's triumphant return. Just yay.

Final episode of 24/7 will be awesome.

[caveman]

Fun game. I almost missed it, but when kid caveman got up from his nap, I asked him what he wanted to do, and he looked at me very puzzled: "Watch the outside hockey game." Like, duh, dad.

After the final horn, Hartnell's nonsense really wasn't needed. Detracted from what was a great moment in the season, really.

[KaniacFever]

Even though my team lost, I found the game to be very enjoyable. Moreso than in years past like others have noted.

Rumour has it already that Detroit is getting 2013. How nice would it be to have Canes be their guest. They can play off the whole PK hates Detroit angle :lol:

I know it'll never happen.

[Deke]

Glad to see the Rangers win despite the efforts by the refs to push it to OT.

Just a reminder that this week's episode of 24/7 airs on Thursday at 10PM instead of the usual Wednesday time slot.

As for next year I liked the suggestion made by several writers that Detroit play at Ann Arbor against the Leafs (If NBC will finally allow a Canadian team to participate). That would be over 100,000 fans! Washington has been promised a WC by the NHL so if they don't host it next year I would think they would likely get the 2014 game with New York in 2015 (or whenever the bowl game contract runs out at Yankee Stadium, which is the only reason the NHL didn't put it there this year).

[MoBigRed]

So can we leave the state of PA alone for awhile on the Winter Classic front? Both teams have been in twice and they've hosted 2 years in a row.

Nope - too much 'glamour' there. They'll happily take a break to allow a couple Original 6 teams in (i'm hearing Leafs @ Wings as a strong possibility for next season), but they'll soon be back. At the very least, as the visitor when they give the game to Montreal, Toronto, or Boston the following season.

[Convert]

I don't see us ever even having a chance for playing in a Winter Classic until we can string together 4+ years of making the playoffs in a row, with at least 1 more Stanley Cup win and a couple of long runs during the playoffs.

And that's just to have a chance.

[cmw00]

How about Detroit at Colorado for one? Although, I think they would try to host it in Detroit since it's closer to Canada.

[Convert]

How about Detroit at Colorado for one? Although, I think they would try to host it in Detroit since it's closer to Canada.

Makes sense...might need another year or two for Colorado to become more consistent (see my comments on Canes).

Also think Minnesota should get a game, if they can be a consistent playoff team.

I just don't see many teams outside the Original Six making it, unless they are playoff regulars (e.g. Expect to see Sharks in a Classic before Avs, Wild, etc.)