I just caught this article out of New York about some logistical problems holding up a potential “Ice Bowl” sequel at Yankee Stadium.

The last paragraph just floors me: “There’s some concern that there would be water damage to the Stadium if the pipes burst, with use in the winter,” Trost said. “But we don’t believe that’s a legitimate danger.”

Ummm…..the joint is being blown up shortly thereafter…does it really matter if pipes burst and such???

Chicago’s Wrigley Field(or Stadium if your name is Jeff Gordon) is the alternate site if things don’t come off in New York.

-Peter Farrell

Yankee Stadium’s final game might not be a baseball game after all, as the NHL is seriously considering repeating it’s highly successful “Winter Classic” outdoor game at Yankee Stadium next season.

Today’s New York Daily News reports that the New York Rangers are interested, and the New York Islanders want in as well. Apparently the Yankees organization is fine with all this and has even had talks with the NHL about logistics and planning.

It was the anthem of Buffalo pride in the 1980’s during the Bills’ Chuck Knox era. The “Talkin’ Proud” jingle.

This past Tuesday around 12:31 PM, viewers watching coast to coast across Canada on CBC saw a 90 second montage which portrayed the best of Buffalo and the best of Sabres hockey over the franchise’s history.

By CBC we mean the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, not the Crosby Broadcasting Corporation, formerly known as NBC.

At the same time, those who were in their seats at RWS at the exact same time got to enjoy the piece on the stadium’s Mitsubishi video board. Check out this awesome video and clap along. And for those of you old enough to remember, how many times do you have to watch the piece before you can identify three Sabres icons from the 70s - Ted Darling, Punch Imlach, and yes… Sundae Bafo!

Memo to the Sabres game night crew - can you make THIS video and THIS jingle a staple of the pregame intros from here on out?

It was not a game for the ages - the bad ice, the chippy play, the elements all conspired to slow down two teams that were supposed to present a “classic” for the biggest crowd in NHL history, and a sizable viewing audience watching in two countries.

For the Sabres, this was the 4th loss in a row, all coming since Christmas, and only two points to show for their efforts, and as of today they are on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs are concerned in what is a very tightly bunched Eastern Conference.

Yet after the game, everyone was happy; there was a sense of joy in the locker room, a buzz in the air as fans left the stadium, relief in the eyes of NHL officials and team executives that this had actually been pulled off. Everyone who had the privilege of being part of this event - the NHL, the players, the management, the media, the fans, the entertainers, the employees, all knew they had just shared a piece of history, a very special day.

Of course we know by now how the game turned out - Pittsburgh scored at the 21 second mark, Buffalo took over play in the second period but could only manage one goal, the Sabres blew a golden opportunity to win in overtime when they had a full two minute power play, and in the shootout that followed, the NHL/NBC dream script worked to a T when Sidney Crosby netted the game winner in the final shot.

While Sabres players were disappointed in the outcome, almost to a man everyone was echoing the same thing - they were in awe of the panorama of this event, it was meaningful to be a part of this spectacle, and they would love to do it again. Said Derek Roy “I don’t know if I’d want to play like this all the time, but having an event like this from time to time is good for the sport and good for the league. It was an awesome day.” Toni Lydman added “What more can one say about these fans in Buffalo? Just coming to the stadium and seeing people cooking outdoors and all the flags and decorations…”

Perhaps no one enjoyed this event and this moment more than Coach Lindy Ruff, who spoke from the heart when he talked about his growing up in his small home town in Alberta and learning how to skate outdoors. And in his postgame comments, he liberally used words like “great day”, “awesome”, “perfect”. When asked about the varsity jacket that he wore for the event, Ruff replied “I thought the jackets fit the game, you know, fit the uniforms, fit the game. It was fun. You know, it’s always good to put the blue and gold on when you wore it for as long as I wore it. I put that jacket on with pride today.” He said it with such sincerity and such emotion, and at that moment I thought about Ruff the player - his scrappy fights, that four goal night he had against Quebec I forgot when, his leadership on the ice. For me this comment was my “choked up” moment at the game, not helicopters flying over or snapshots of tanks or Tynan slobbering all over his microphone.

I would love to see another Winter Classic, but not every year, and I would love to see it back in Buffalo again when it does occur, although my guess is that other cities will be vying to host such a game. But today we should be very proud as a community that we were able to show the best of what Buffalo is about to the entire United States and Canada.

OK back to business… the Sabres next host the Ottawa Senators this Friday at the H. With the distractions out of the way, this team really needs to hunker down and get a big win. After mid month they will be on a brutal three week road trip. We need points!!!

11:45AM - Greetings and Happy New Year from Row A in the pressbox at Ralph Wilson Stadium! It is 34 degrees here in Orchard Park, overcast with winds out of the SW at 13MPH, and a few flakes of snow flying in the air. In other words…. PERFECT!

I arrived at the stadium a little after 9:30AM, and immediately headed to the north side of the property to find Kevin Pritchard and his Bfloblog posse. They were already tailgating in full force, and it was nice to meet some of the Bfloblog regulars who until today only knew from being online. Pete, his dad, and Gary Herman and Mike “The King” Casciano arrived a bit later and I bid good bye to the group to get myself situated up here. Oh one more thing… ran into, of all people, Seamus Gallivan, who was such a gracious host for us during our visit to Round Rock, Texas back in September. Seamus was home visiting his family for the holidays, and tells us he got a promotion and will be moving to Corpus Christi to take over their game day presentation.

Now I am inside the stadium, and I am pinching myself - I got a seat in Row A in the pressbox, right on the blue line. I can’t believe my good fortune! Fans are already streaming into the stadium, they are showing interviews and pregame highlights on the big video board. It looks like all systems go for a faceoff after 1 PM.

12:43PM - The two teams are now on the ice, having walked on in ceremonial procession, done to the music of the Celtic Ride Bagpipes. The crowd here is all hepped up and gave the teams a standing ovation as they entered the playing surface. A light misty snow is falling. This is awesome! 

12:55PM - The warmups are finished and the zambonis are doing their thing in preparation for a 1:20PM puck drop. Game day host Kevin Sylvester  is pumping up the crowd, not that they need any help, and everyone here is on their feet. It is absolutely electric. DVR alert - Glad I set up both the CBC and NBC telecasts and pregames. They showed a CBC produced piece on the big board which was a super highlight reel of Sabres moments, including some Aud footage.. can’t wait to watch later. 

1:24PM - The fans are up on their feet, they unfurled American and Canadian flags at each end zone, and after Oh Canada, out came Ronan Tynan to perform The Dead Fat Woman’s Song, accompanied by plenty of pictures of war war war. The crowd, of course, loves it. I’m in too good of a mood to bitch. And before we could even get settled in our seats, Colby Armstrong scores to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Sheesh!

1:35PM - Here’s an interesting observation - NO ONE in the lower bowl is sitting. NO ONE. The folks in row one are all standing to try and get at least a bit of a view from their crappy seats, and as a result everyone else has to stand right up to row 45. I’ll say it again - the upper deck seats, especially close to center, are a screaming bargain at $39.

1:45PM - 9:54 to go in the first period and we’re in our first delay, as the zambonis are out on the ice to do a touch up. The snow has just about stopped falling. Official game time temperature 33.1 degrees.

2:05PM - They showed Rick Jeanneret on the video board during the media timeout and that got a charge out of the crowd. Meantime, Buffalo’s short power play went nowhere, with hopping pucks and broken sticks. The period ends with the Penguins up 1-0.

2:30PM - Second period underway and the place just went nuts as Brian Campbell lights the lamp for the Sabres! Time of goal 1:25 in the second and the score is tied. Sabres playing with much more conviction early on.

2:42PM - We’re halfway through the period and Pittsburgh has yet to record their first shot on goal. Buffalo meanwhile pouring it on but score still tied at one. Media timeout and zambonis are doing a touchup. No snow falling but looks like a hint of drizzle in the air.

3:00PM - Two periods are in the books and the score is tied at one. The Sabres played almost a flawless second period, outshooting the Penguins 14-2, but we’re not able to get the go ahead goal. Some heavy snow showers were coming down in the later part of the period, but the skies have since cleared. Official attendance today: 71,217.

3:30PM - The third period is cruising along and neither team looks like it wants to make a mistake. Still tied at one. Now I’ve already got a thought in case this event ever makes a return visit to The Ralph. In the scoreboard end zone corners they set up video boards on the field so the folks sitting in the first few rows can get a better perspective of the action. They need to set these thingies up all around the field, so the front row fans can take their seat and allow the 100 level patrons to not have to stand for all the action.

3:36PM - We’re at the 10 minute mark and the horn has sounded, just as the NHL said they would do. The teams will now change sides for the final ten minutes of regulation. 1-1.

4:00PM - We’ve had two stoppages to do ice repair, so this game has now slowed to a crawl. 5:36 left on the clock. Nobody has left the stadium. It is one big party here and everyone wants to savor the moment.4:10PM - We’re getting lots of video board shots of guys with their shirts off. I’m sort of tempted to take MY shirt off (*kidding*). Meantime, Thomas Vanek had two great chances to get the go ahead goal in the last minute, including a wrap around that failed to connect. But this game is now headed for OH-VER-TIME! And Buffalo will start off with the man advantage as a penalty has been called at the 20:00 mark.

4:15PM - I gotta give HUGE props to Kevin Sylvester who is doing a yeoman job as game day host on the video board.

4:23PM - Buffalo got five shots on goal during the power play but Conklin came up huge. We’re halfway through and the teams are changing sides for the final 2:30 of overtime.

4:27PM - Well I guess this is just fitting that this game will go to a shootout. What an amazing game this has been! I’m hoping the audiences watching on NBC in the States, and CBC and RDS in Canada are enjoying this as much as we are. I will have one final post with the outcome of the shootout. LET’S GO BUF-FA-LO!!!

SHOOTOUT
Kotalik (Buf) SCORES! 1-0 Buf
Christensen (Pit) MISSES! 1-0 Buf
Connolly (Buf) Misses 1-0 Buf
Letang (Pit) Scores 1-1
Afinogenov (Buf) Misses 1-1
Crosby (Pit) Scores…. 2-1 Pitt

Final Score in a shootout - Pittsburgh 2, Buffalo 1

Mike Harrington just called it - “AN NBC FIX!”

I’ll have a postgame report later tonight.

The snowflakes are flying on a crisp New Years Day at Ralph Wilson Stadium

Our sister site Bfloblog hosting a tailgate in the north parking lot

Pregame entertainment on the main stage outside the stadium

They’re lined up ten deep at the merchandise stands all around the stadium

It’s now 6PM and I have been at Ralph Wilson Stadium for almost six hours. I listened in to Pittsburgh coach Michel Therrien and star forward Sidney Crosby address the media after the Penguins practice, and they both echoed the same sentiments that their Buffalo counterparts had said earlier in the afternoon.

Asked about savoring the experience, Crosby replied “Yeah, definitely. I think that’s natural. We’ve all played outside at some point and had a great time doing it. I think it brings you back a bit when you’re out there. You know, someone said before, it is a big stage. You know, it’s a big game. It’s a regular season game. But at the same time, you don’t get this chance very often, so you want to enjoy it.” Coach Therrien commented on what he expects out of the game. “The only thing probably our shifts should be shorter, but not the way you’re supposed to play. It’s so tough to try to sell one system. So you come in the day of the game like this and you try to change the way you’re supposed to play and you could end up to be in trouble pretty quickly. We’re going to concentrate on doing the things that we’ve been preaching since day one: Playing our system. We got to make sure we’ve got to be disciplined. We got to play to win the hockey game. I know there’s a lot of attention to that game, but on our standpoint we got to win this game.”

Therrien indicated that former Sabres netminder Ty Conklin will most likely get the start in net.

So I am going to wrap it here for tonight and head home, and I got to say I had a blast here doing this. Being a part of the media experience and being able to report on the day’s events and be a part of the “go go” professional environment is something that most people would dream of having a chance to do, and here I am doing it. This is my RWS pressbox debut and I got to say it is cool just being here. YaY for me!

Tomorrow’s plans… going to hook up with The Bfloblog crew for their tailgate, then head over to get set up in the pressbox around 10:30 AM and I plan to liveblog during the event. The puck should drop around 1:20 PM if the elements don’t throw a twist. Pete and his dad will be sitting in sec 135 directly below the pressbox, and after the game we will be heading out for a postgame meal.

Happy New Year to all our readers and supporters. Hope you have enjoyed the Winter Classic coverage here at USRT and on WNYMedia. Tune in tomorrow!

What is your last-minute evaluation of the ice conditions?
Because of the snow last night, it took us about an hour to clean the surface up, dress it up really well. The surface temperature is right at 23-1/2, 24 degrees and we are moving forward. 

So you are within two degrees of ideal?
Yes. The weather changed from this morning, and within the hour it changed again. So now we are really learning what our machinery can do to react — and how quickly it reacts. 

What about the forecast for additional snow and possible significant winds, How does that affect your preparation for tomorrow?
The winds aren’t really going to affect us because we have taken precautions on the boards and glass. There is cable up on the tall glass, so everything is going to be held in place very securely. As to the snow, we will come back in tomorrow morning and we will do what we did today, and just stay on top of it. The machines are ready to go. Every hour is what the game plan is right now. 

If there is snow, and it does accumulate, what is the procedure for removing it? Is it shoveling? Is it Zamboni-ing? How do you deal with that over the night?
Well over the night, it’s just going out there with the Zams and going back out there. With the wind, it (the snow) goes right along the wall. So it’s really easy to take one pass with the machine along the outside wall and we pick up ninety percent of it. 

What happens when snow hits the ice?
Well, if we are resurfacing at the time, it will freeze back on top of what we have already done. But once it (the ice) is frozen, it (the snow) will just blow straight across, just like it blows the snow across the highway. 

If it snows during the game tomorrow, how will you evaluate things?
We have eight people here on the ice crew. We will probably have four people on skates, and I will be on skates, and we will make sure everything is taken care of all around the rink. 

Is it conceivable that the crews will be dispatched to clear snow even when it’s not a TV stoppage?
I will be talking to the officials constantly and keeping in eye contact with them, and the on-ice officials will make the call to myself to see if it is something that we can come out and do quickly, like in thirty seconds. I know that if there is a little issue we will be able to take care of it.

4:00PM update - The Sabres had their afternoon practice and now it’s the Penguins turn to check out the digs here at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The team spent well over an hour on the ice today, and by the end of the practice it was like a pond hockey match, with the players just taking turns shooting the puck and having fun out there.Newly named captain Jaroslav Spacek had fun out on the ice. “It was great to be out there. The ice was fine. It is going to be great fun for the people here tomorrow and we are looking forward to it.” Spacek admitted that the wind could be the biggest problem tomorrow and provide the most uncertainty.

Forwards Nathan Paesch and Daniel Paille both agreed that while the team enjoyed the experience of an outdoor practice, tomorrow it is going to be all business out on the ice. Said Paetsch “Let’s keep in mind that there are a lot of team bunched in closely and there are two important points at stake.” Paille added, “We have to get back on the winning track.”Andrew Peters is always good for a great comment and he did not disappoint - “I don’t know if I’m going to fight out there, but it’s a heck of a way to warm up now eh?” Peters said. Like most players, Peters felt in awe walking out of the tunnel and seeing the entire set up for the first time. “I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like tomorrow with the stadium packed with hockey fans. It’s going to be an awesome sight.”

Coach Lindy Ruff had a sparkle in his eye and an excitement in his voice as he addressed the packed media throng following the skate. “It was really awesome it really was; It kind of brings you back to your roots. It really felt like you could stay out there a couple hours, one of those days where you could scrimmage all day long.”

Ruff stated that the bench area is more than warm and comfortable. “I did go on the bench and sat out there, and it actually felt too hot…. If the players are going to complain, they can stand behind the bench and I’ll sit down for a while. We’ll see how that works out.”

Ruff gave props to the engineers who created the ice surface. “I thought the ice was very good. I’ve got no complaints. You know with a little bit of snow that was flying, there got to be quite a bit of snow on it, but that’s just normal.”

Goaltender Ryan Miller also said “The ice was good. The weather cooperated. A little bit overcast is actually a lot better than a sunny sky for us out there.” Miller also stressed the importance of putting on a good show for the national audiences. “It makes a lot better memory, knowing that you did the best you could to win the game. You’re representing the National Hickey League in a lot of homes that normally don’t pay attention. So we want to be our best, not only for the sport, but for team reputation.”

One thing that came across from the entire room of players - these guys are geeked for this event and are very much getting caught up in the excitement of the event, yet still recognizing that there is a game to be played with two important points at stake.

1:35PM… With a mix of sun and clouds and the temperature around 33 degrees, the Buffalo Sabres have taken to the ice for their outdoor practice in preparation for tomorrow’s Winter Classic. Defenseman Brian Campbell led the team on the ice, all the players wearing their classic Sabres blue and gold jerseys. After several minutes giving the surface a feel, the players switched to their practice jerseys and commenced their paces.

Here’s an interesting factoid … the goaltenders for both teams have experience playing in large scale outdoor hockey games.Ryan Miller played for the Michigan State Spartans in the 2001 “Cold War” at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Miller started in goal that day, allowing three goals on 22 shots in 64:43 of playing time. He also earned an assist. Said Miller, “I think that cold does a lot more to you than you thin. Get one ofn those survival books, figure out what guys do to stay alive in the wild, I guess. You can get dehydrated very quickly in the wind and the cold, just the same way you can if it’s hot out. So you have to be aware of that, try and stay as warm as possible, get the core temperature up.”

Penguins goaltender Ty Conklin was the starting goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers in the 2003 Heritage Classic, allowing 4 goals on 23 shots in the 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Conklin added “Normally, I just wear long underwear underneath, but I had a full-body neoprene suit. It was an eighth inch, maybe three-sixteenth, thick like a diving suit. It did the trick. I wasn’t nearly as cold as I thought I was going to be.”

(Player quotes courtesy NHL Media)

Cold cuts, pasta salad, desserts and beverages.

12:15 PM… I am at the stadium; the Sabres will take the ice at 1:30 for practice. I will be posting photos and updates throughout the day.

Checking out the progress of work at Ralph Wilson Stadium this afternoon, there on the ice was Dan Craig, NHL Facilities Operations Manager and the guy in charge of this entire affair. But he wasn’t just on the ice - he laced up a pair of skates and was giving the surface he had built a whirl. “It felt good. We’re almost at the point we were in Edmonton four years ago at this time.”

The place is really taking shape. Walking into the stadium today, I was absolutely amazed at how they got this place tidied up, a far contrast from the dreck and mess in the concourses, ramps and seating bowl the other day. Crews are still dashing around the building getting ready for the big event. Down on the field, the ice has been painted, the glass is up, the zamboni is applying water and smoothing the ice. And now they’re actually trucking IN snow to give the field a neat cosmetic appearance.

Today’s 2PM daily briefing was a more crowded affair - media from national outlets and from other cities were in attendance, and joining Craig and Don Renzulli was NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who was piped in to the briefing via teleconference from New York City.

Daly stated that this event can already be deemed a success, just for the buzz and enthusiasm that it has created across the USA and Canada. “Looking at the weather reports, I am confident that we will able to get this game in and on schedule” Daly reported.

I asked Daly who would be the ultimate arbiter of stopping the game in the event that the weather deteriorates in mid stream. “The final decision will be with the Commissioner (NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman), but this would be in consultation with the on ice officials, Dan (Craig) and the Players Association” Daly replied. Daly also stated that if the game encounters perfect weather conditions, the idea of a mid period stoppage to change sides might be scrapped, but that is not likely. He also stated that the 10 minute stoppage in the third will be a hard whistle at exactly the 10 minute mark, not the first break in play.

NHL Senior Veep Don Renzulli reported that today’s activity will entail bringing in snow and grooming the field to give a nice look. “They say we’re expecting 1-2 inches overnight and as far as I’m concerned that would be perfect.” The stage outside for the pregame concert is also under construction, and the events crew was loading music and graphics for the main video board and ribbon boards, and doing tests and dry runs.

Tomorrow the Sabres will practice at 1:30PM on the ice, followed by the Penguins later in the afternoon. So was any thought given to opening the practices to the public? “We considered it” Renzulli replied, but we estimated anywhere from 1000-20,000 fans might show up, and with everything else going on, felt that this might become too unwieldy.”

The stadium parking lots open roughly 40 hours from now, and while Commissioner Daly states that the league is considering doing such an event again, everyone involved can agree on one thing - in two days we will be taking part in an event that will be very special, very historic and something we will remember for the rest of our lives. Dan Craig is right - “We’re ready to play. Let’s go.” Let’s go indeed!

The ice is painted and looks like they’re about ready to play

Yes they did tarp over a few seats in each corner, in the areas behind the network and concert platforms

Doing a double take, seeing Sabres graphics on the RWS scoreboard

They are trucking in snow to spread around the rest of the field

The concourses and public areas are looking spiffy, a contrast from the mess three days ago

Things are really starting to take shape at Ralph Wilson Stadium as the Winter Classic is just four days away, and the excitement is being felt all around town.

This afternoon, Outdoor Rink Wizard Dan Craig and Senior Veep Don Renzulli gave their daily update, which was also broadcast via NHL.com to media across the continent. Things are running smoothly, the men reported, and they are within 6 hours of their timetable to have everything up and running and completed, time which they should easily make up.

Craig stated that 42 tractor trailer loads of equipment had been brought in thusfar, and there is now a half inch coating of ice, and the playing surface has been painted white. While all the boards and benches are now in place, Craig indicated that the painting of the lines and logos won;t take place until Sunday, and the glass should be installed by Sunday night. Another interesting thing - they might actually “make snow” on Monday night to cover over some of the tarped areas on the field and give the entire floor a clean look.

I asked where they plan to place the cameras and platforms, and they replied that the main camera towers will be placed at center ice, while broadcast platforms for NBC and CBC will be erected in the corners in the tunnel end zone. Just for the record, about 2000 “obstructed view” seats were not sold and will be tarped over, in the areas which would have been blocked by the platforms.

After the briefing, I took a walk around the entire seating bowl to take some more snaps and also to get a viewing perspective from several angles. Those obstructed view seats (rows 1-14) really aren’t all that bad once you get above row 4. From row 5 on up you have a view of just about the entire playing surface. Row 1, however, is brutal, as you can not see even a smidgen of ice. The only thing that fans will be able to see from that angle is waist high player movements.

Next, the end zone seats are really really far from the action. I would say that the best view of the action will be from the upper deck, those first few rows between the blue lines.

Lastly, I asked Mike Gilbert about parking and tailgating, and he informed me that the lots will open at 8 AM and will be priced the same as for Bills games, $25 per vehicle. He also told me that all this as well as do’s, don’t and allowed and prohibited items are posted on the Sabres web site. Call me a knucklehead, but I searched and could not locate this info.

By Sunday we should have some great shots of what the whole set up will look like in its final form. Till then!

Official Winter Classic merchandise is now on sale at a portable kiosk outside the stadium

A half inch of ice is now down and the playing surface is painted white

The NHL’s Dan Craig and Don Renzulli give their daily briefing to the media

Decorations and banners going up around the seating bowl

Both CBC and NBC will have on field platforms in the corners as part of their telecasts