2008 NHL Winter Classic
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Date | January 1, 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Venue | Orchard Park, New York | |||||||||||||||||||||
Attendance | 71,217 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2008 NHL Winter Classic (known via corporate sponsorship as the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic) was an
The game, which was played at a temporary ice rink built on the football field, set an NHL attendance record of 71,217.
The success of the event has led to subsequent outdoor hockey games being scheduled and helped establish the Winter Classic as an annual NHL tradition.
Preparations
Construction of the outdoor rink began on December 24, the day after the Buffalo Bills played their last home game of the 2007 NFL season.[8] It was built between the 16-yard lines of the football field,[1] under the supervision of NHL facilities operations manager Dan Craig. Initially, six inches (150 mm) of the nine-inch (230 mm) crown of the football field had to be leveled using styrofoam insulation. On top of the newly created flat surface, three inches (75 mm) of plywood with plastic covering were laid as a base for the necessary piping. At the same time the boards were being put in place, an inch of sand was spread amongst the piping and was then wet by a combination of hoses and timely rain so it could freeze into a rink overnight and be painted four days before the game.[9] Another ¾ of an inch of ice was added to complete the playing surface.[10]
After this experience, Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the League would like more time to prepare the site for the next outdoor game.[11] He also wanted to ensure that not too many outdoor games are held so the event can remain special.[12]
Attendance
The game was attended by 71,217 people, setting an NHL attendance record.
While it was the record for a professional game, it fell short of the then all-time number of 74,554, which was set in "
Approximately 41,000 tickets to the game were made available to the general public, selling out within 30 minutes of being made available on September 18, 2007.[16] In the face of controversy about the quickness of ticket sales, an official spokesperson for the Sabres called it "a testament to how popular the Sabres are and how many people want to be part of the event."[17] However, many Penguins fans were left out by not having the opportunity to purchase the tickets after they were made available to the city hosting the event, and they were frustrated by the lack of exclusivity for Penguins season-ticket holders.[18]
Television and radio coverage
The game was televised in the United States on
Westwood One carried a nationwide radio broadcast of the game, as did each team's local announcing team for local networks (Rick Jeanneret and Harry Neale for Buffalo, Mike Lange, Paul Steigerwald, and Phil Bourque for Pittsburgh).
NBC had an airplane flying overhead to provide bird's-eye views of the rink, including a live webstream from its camera throughout the game. NBC announcers Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk stood in a constructed perch on the penalty box side of the rink, while Darren Pang stood between-the-benches. Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson called the game in the broadcast booth for CBC, with Greg Millen between-the-benches.
Pregame
Doug Allen sang the Canadian national anthem (O Canada) and Irish tenor Ronan Tynan performed "God Bless America" before the game. The U.S. national anthem ("The Star-Spangled Banner") was not performed. A military flyover was conducted by four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.
Rule changes
The NHL also announced that several rule changes were in effect for this game, to nullify advantages to either team due to the weather conditions.[22] The teams switched ends halfway through the third period. Play was interrupted exactly at the 10:00 minute mark,[23] similar to the end of a period with a horn sounding,[24] a Zamboni resurfacing the ice, and a faceoff following at center ice. The overtime period was similarly divided into two 2:30 segments. In the shootout, each goaltender was permitted to choose which goal to defend, and they each chose the same goal, towards the west side of the stadium.[1]
Game summary
Jan 1, 2008 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2–1 (SO) | Buffalo Sabres | Ralph Wilson Stadium
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Recap |
The teams wore
Weather for the game was appropriate to the winter setting it was intended to evoke, with game-time temperatures around the freezing mark and snow falling for much of the time, especially during the third period. The weather conditions made play somewhat more difficult for players but were well received by fans.[29]
The Penguins registered 25 shots on goal, and the Sabres had 37, dominating the second and overtime periods, leading those 14–2 and 7–0, respectively. Each goalie allowed one goal in playing time not including the shootout, giving Conklin 36 saves for the Penguins, and Miller 24 for the Sabres.
Scoring summary | |||||
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Period | Team | Goal | Assist(s) | Time | Score |
1st | PIT | Colby Armstrong (6) | Sidney Crosby (37) | 0:21 | 1–0 PIT |
2nd | BUF | Brian Campbell (4) | Tim Connolly (23), Daniel Paille (11) | 1:25 | 1–1 |
3rd | No scoring | ||||
Overtime | No scoring | ||||
Shootout | Team | Shooter | Goaltender | Result | SO Score |
BUF | Ales Kotalik | Ty Conklin | goal | 1–0 BUF | |
PIT | Erik Christensen | Ryan Miller
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miss | 1–0 BUF | |
BUF | Tim Connolly | Ty Conklin | save | 1–0 BUF | |
PIT | Kris Letang | Ryan Miller | goal | 1–1 | |
BUF | Maxim Afinogenov | Ty Conklin | save | 1–1 | |
PIT | Sidney Crosby | Ryan Miller | goal | 2–1 PIT |
- Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season
Penalty summary | |||||
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Period | Team | Player | Penalty | Time | PIM |
1st | BUF | Tim Connolly | Hooking | 4:22 | 2:00 |
BUF | Maxim Afinogenov | Hooking | 7:16 | 2:00 | |
BUF | Thomas Vanek | Holding | 12:17 | 2:00 | |
PIT | Colby Armstrong | Goaltender Interference | 13:02 | 2:00 | |
2nd | No penalties | ||||
3rd | PIT | Colby Armstrong | Hooking | 20:00 | 2:00 |
Overtime | No penalties |
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Three star selections | |||
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Team | Player | Statistics | |
1st | PIT | Sidney Crosby | Game Winning Shootout Goal, 1 Assist |
2nd | PIT | Ty Conklin | 36 Saves (.973) |
3rd | BUF | Ryan Miller | 24 Saves (.960) |
Team rosters
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- ^ Jocelyn Thibault dressed for the Buffalo Sabres as the back-up goalie and did not enter the game.
^ Dany Sabourin dressed for the Pittsburgh Penguins as the back-up goalie and did not enter the game.
Scratches
- Pittsburgh Penguins: #10 Gary Roberts (injured)
- Buffalo Sabres: #4 Nolan Pratt (healthy), #21 Drew Stafford (concussion)
Officials
- Referees — Marc Joannette, Don VanMassenhoven
- Linesmen — Brad Kovachik, Tim Nowak
Future games
Due to the success of the Winter Classic and its predecessor, outdoor games have been held during subsequent seasons, and the Winter Classic has become an annual NHL tradition. The
See also
- 2007–08 Buffalo Sabres season
- 2007–08 Pittsburgh Penguins season
- List of outdoor ice hockey games
- List of ice hockey games with highest attendance
References
- ^ a b c d Podell, Ira (January 1, 2008). "Crosby lifts Penguins in Winter Classic". Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved February 16, 2008.
- Marketwire. September 17, 2007. Archived from the originalon December 18, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ a b Burnside, Scott (January 1, 2008). "Winter Classic: We're live from Buffalo". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ "Sabres to Host Winter Classic House Party". Buffalo Sabres. December 1, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ "Happy, Happy New Year". January 2, 2008. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
- WGRZ-TV. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- Canadian Press. December 31, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
- ^ Canadian Press. September 17, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ Rosen, Dan (December 27, 2007). "Rain, rain come our way!". nhl.com. NHL.com. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
- ^ Rosen, Dan (December 27, 2007). "Behind the ice". nhl.com. NHL. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
- ^ Erskine, Scott (January 26, 2008). "Bettman holds All-Star 'State of NHL' address". pa-sportsticker.com/en. PA SportsTicker. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
- Canadian Press. March 5, 2008. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
- ^ "Laraque recounts the Heritage Classic". NHL.com. December 13, 2007. Archived from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ "Recent outdoor games". nhl.com. NHL. September 17, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ Roarke, Shawn P. (December 10, 2007). "NHL players have fond memories of 'The Cold War'". nhl.com. NHL. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ "Winter Classic Tickets Soldout". Buffalo Sabres. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on January 1, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ Mendola, Nick (September 17, 2007). "Gilbert Explains Winter Classic Tickets". wben.com. WGR 550. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ Rossi, Rob (September 19, 2007). "Fans outraged over Winter Classic ticket shortage". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
- ^ Sullivan, Jerry (2011-02-22). A plea to Pegula: Don't let us down. The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Super fan Sajak heading to Boston for Classic - 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Flyers v. Bruins
- ^ "Winter Classic Hits Lows in Ratings, Viewership". Sports Media Watch. January 3, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ "AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic third period will be two 10-minute segments". nhl.com. NHL. December 29, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ Molinari, Dave (December 31, 2007). "Winter Classic set up unusual". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ a b McKeon, Ross (January 1, 2008). "Live from the Winter Classic". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ "Sabres and Penguins to sport retro look outdoors". Buffalo Sabres. November 9, 2007. Archived from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- ^ Starkey, Joe (January 2, 2008). "Pens' Conklin conquers Sabres again". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
- ^ Wheeler, Brian (December 26, 2007). "BTB Blog: Miller sports new mask for Classic". Sabres.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
- ^ "Pens G Conklin gets starting nod, making him 2-for-2 in NHL outdoor games". Associated Press. December 31, 2007. Archived from the original on January 8, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
- ^ Dietsch, Richard (January 2, 2008). "The great outdoors". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
- ^ "Time On Ice Report Away Team". nhl.com. National Hockey League. January 1, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2008.
- ^ "Time On Ice Report Home Team". nhl.com. National Hockey League. January 1, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2008.
- ^ "Blackhawks to host Red Wings at historic Wrigley Field in NHL Winter Classic on New Year's Day". nhl.com. NHL. July 16, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2008.