Since the start of the NHL Winter Classics in 2008, fans have long rallied for a Winter Classic at Yankees Stadium. But because of the Pinstripe Bowl, and the preparation it takes to build an NHL size outdoor hockey rink, Yankees Stadium is an impossible venue…. so New Yorkers are proposing another famous NYC landmark: Central Park. Ignoring the obvious challenges such as lack of stadium seating… the fate of the Winter Classic falls in the hands of the television networks because the game competes with the New Years Day college bowl games. The league’s current TV contract with NBC and Versus expires at the end of the season, and it is not known what network will sign a deal with the NHL.
Posted in NHL
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Tagged NHL, Winter Classic
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New Year, and the NHL has its first ever rain delay. The Winter Classic will be postponed to 8pm ET as forecasters call for an inch of rain in Pittsburgh. The weather in the Steel City has caused poor ice conditions for the annual outdoor hockey game. 67,000 fans will pack Pittsburgh Steelers’ Heinz Stadium to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins face the Washington Capitals.
An NHL referee flipped off two Columbus Blue Jackets fans while he officiated a game against the Minnesota Wild.
The Columbus Dispatch reports after referee Paul Devorski missed a penalty call, two fans in the front row heckled the 22-year veteran. That’s when Devorski turned to the fans and made a crying gesture and used his middle finger while pretending to cry.
“Two guys in front of us started giving the refs (grief) after they clearly missed a call,” said Ritter Hoy, who was seated five rows up from the glass in section 109. “Happens at every game, right?
“Well, the No. 10 official put his fingers up and rubbed his eyes and made a crying face, like ‘what are you going to do, cry?’ They started giving him more (grief) and he put his middle finger up to his chin and acted like he was scratching his face. It was very, very blatant. The whole section saw it and went crazy.”
The Blue Jackets lost in a shootout 4-3. The Wild were given seven power plays to the Columbus’ zero. The league is investigating the accusations.
Congratulations to Buffalo Sabers goalie Ryan Miller and actress Noureen DeWulf. The couple got engaged last week after dating for a year. You may know DeWulf from “The Backup Plan” and “The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.” Miller stole the hearts of Americans last year as he helped lead Team USA to a silver medal in men’s hockey and now has stolen the heart of DeWulf.
