The Winter Classic brings in sports fans that might not usually watch a regular season hockey game in January. For those people, we put together a quick guide of things to look for and keep in mind while watching tomorrow’s game. No matter what level hockey fan you are, you should be able to get some use out of this list!
- Even though the Flyers are one of the worst teams in the league—remember that NBC insisted on having Philadelphia in the game and not the Washington Capitals. You know the team that’s near the top of the NHL standings and are led by the most exciting player in all of hockey? Yes, that team.
- Remember, it’s not just any ole Winter Classic—it’s the “2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.”
David Krejci: Pimping gear for the NHL.
- The United States Olympic team will be announced during the telecast. Even the US Olympic Committee knows that this is the only hockey game that most people will watch all season.
- The game would be exponentially better with Terry O’Reilly and Tiger Williams.
- I hear that some Flyers fans think that Claude Giroux is untouchable. Not on the rink, of course—the Bruins will try to touch him a lot.
- Yes, that’s the Dropkick Murphy’s playing at Fenway. Yes, they’re playing their Boston song
- If you don’t watch the Boston Bruins very often, keep an eye out for #37. Patrice Bergeron is one of those guys who is better than he ever gets credit for and just so happens to be leading the Bruins in points this season.
- Ian Laperriere’s nose points 45 degrees from the direction that it’s supposed to point.
- Slapshots over the Green Monster mean nothing more than a faceoff in the neutral zone. And they look cool.
- Doc Emrick WILL mention Martin Brodeur at least once during the telecast. If you’re confused, don’t be. There really is no reason for him to mention ANY New Jersey Devils—but he will.
- The Bruins and the Flyers played for the Stanley Cup in 1974. Both of those teams were better than either of these teams.
- If you close your eyes and concentrate REALLY hard, you can almost FEEL NBC executives praying for snow.
- The really tall guy that seems like an asshole is Chris Pronger. The really, really tall guy is Zdeno Chara.
- The Winter Classic is the final game in a 4 game, 6 day stretch for the Bruins. Yet since they are playing outside, they are not allowed to be fatigued at any point during the festivities.
- Bob Costas is a baseball guy—don’t be surprised if he talks about the Red Sox more than either the Bruins or Flyers.
- Easy Drinking Game: Every time the announcing team mentions that this is the “Hottest Ticket in Boston sports history,” DRINK. (Please remain hydrated. VFMS takes no responsibility for those brave enough to put their body through this test of endurance.)
- If this were 1975, the game would take about 4 hours and would have 350 PIM.
Jeff Carter doing his part to move product as well!
- The Bruins have TWO goaltenders that are better than anyone on the Flyers roster. However, the Flyers watched two goaltenders leave via free agency in the offseason.
- Be on the lookout for Ty Conklin to enter the game in the 2nd or 3rd period. He’s not currently on either roster, but the Flyers need a goalie and he’s been in every Winter Classic. Just sayin’.
- The guy that looks like Sideshow Bob is Scott Hartnell. If you’re rooting for the Flyers, you’ll probably think he’s great. If you’re rooting for the Bruins, you’ll probably think he’s a dick.
- James Taylor will be singing the National Anthem. Unfortunately, Carole King won’t be doing “Oh Canada.”
- Expect at least ONE interview and ONE highlight package of Bobby Orr. Because he sells hockey better in the U.S. than Pelle Lindbergh.
- Do you want to know what it looks like to make a rink in a baseball stadium? Ask, and ye shall receive.
- If the only player that you know on the Bruins is Phil Kessel, you need to pay a little more attention to hockey the other 364 days of the year.
- A petition will be started to FIRE Pierre Maguire on the spot if he ever uses the term “Fever Pitch.”
- If you want to know what leadership looks like on a hockey rink, look at number #18 in white.
- Most importantly: If you have tickets to NEXT year’s Winter Classic, you can reach me at matt at viewfrommyseats (dot) com. Oops, sorry—the Bridgestone Winter Classic. My apologies.
Matt Reitz is the Editor-In-Chief here at ViewFromMySeats.com and former NHL Writer for ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports. When he’s not shoving a mic in the face of NHLers or explaining why home teams should wear white, he’s usually trying to figure out what song to play next on his iPod. It’s a never-ending job.
