Hockey Fans

Rudy · December 23, 2008

So, every major sport has their holiday games. NFL has Thanksgiving, NBA has Christmas, and NCAA football has New Year's. Or do they? Last year the NHL began their new tradition of playing outdoor games on New Year's in an effort to get back to the rots of traditional hockey, playing outdoors on a frozen pond. Last year Pittsburgh and Buffalo played in Buffalos Wilson Stadium in a snowstorm, and the game was a huge success. I think this was the best idea Bettman ever had. I just wasnt sure that New Year's was the best day to do it, with the traditional big bowl games on New Year's. Look at this year though. The bowl games are all screwd up. You only have 4 or 5 bowl games on New Year's and one, maybe two of those are your big bowls. Even the Cotton Bowl is on the 2nd. They have the GMAC bowl as the next to last bowl game before the National Championship on the 6th. The NHL is rolling out the Red Wings vs the Blackhawks at Wrigley. 2 of the most storied franchises in hockey, and 2 of the original 6 (if you dont count the actual original 4 NHL teams) My question is do you think that the NHL could possible steal New Year's away from the NCAA if they keep screwing up the bowls? All this is of course assuming Bettman can grow a brain at some point.

Green P1 · December 23, 2008

No. Never.

Green Mean · December 23, 2008

In the north hockey is already big stuff but it will never attract people in the south over bowl games. Maybe if the Avs or Stars were playing a game like this up north then the local areas may have a ton of interest but other than that, I don't see it over taking bowl games in many parts of the country.

CaribbeanGreen · December 23, 2008

We're talking about the sport whose all-star game on NBC drew lower ratings than the WNBA... so, uh... no.

UNTLifer · December 23, 2008

Great game in person, but tough to watch on television if you are not familiar with the game.

Quoner · December 23, 2008

The ice conditions in Buffalo were atrocious last year thanks to all the chips and divots from the storm. It's a fun concept, but it will never be a force.

Rudy · December 24, 2008

Yeah, the ice was bad, but when you have the game's youngest and greatest star saying they have something there (in playing outdoors), and with the bowl system become more screwy, who knows. And I know there are alot of people who dont like hockey on here, so can we please limit the responses to people who actually either know something about the sport, or who can at least contribute to the conversation? Everyone else, please go pad your post count somewhere else.

Green P1 · December 24, 2008

Yeah, the ice was bad, but when you have the game's youngest and greatest star saying they have something there (in playing outdoors), and with the bowl system become more screwy, who knows. And I know there are alot of people who dont like hockey on here, so can we please limit the responses to people who actually either know something about the sport, or who can at least contribute to the conversation? Everyone else, please go pad your post count somewhere else.

Is there a test or quiz you could point me towards so that I might find out if I'm qualified to discuss the game of hockey in here?

CaribbeanGreen · December 24, 2008

I like hockey quite a bit, have followed it pre-Norm Green's arrival, and thought the outdoor games were really cool to watch (if not entirely gimmicky in feel and less than great hockey).... that being said, I have no illusions about the ratings the NHL gets on TV in this country. As I said before, its all-star game was beaten head up by the WNBA.

The Food Network has a better chance of out-rating New Year's bowl games.

Not a knock at hockey, just a statement based on ratings and on what the sport is in this part of the world, which is a niche sport that you can actually find on TV.

Rudy · December 25, 2008

All I ask is that you back up your statement, with something other than an apparant slam, which you did, thanks. As to the No. Never. comment, that tells me you dont know jack about the sport. If Im wrong, please contribute to the discussion.

Yeah, I know the ratings for the all star game sucked. That has more to do with Bettman and the presentation. I think the product is excellent. The NHL will always struggle until Bettman is gone, and they promote more stars like Ovechkin and Crosby. If the current trend of bowl games continues, the NHL should look at a double or triple header of outdoor games every New Year. One in Canada, one in the Northern US, and one in the Southern US. If the City of Dallas can operate an ice rink in the West End, then I think a southern city can manage an outdoor rink for one day. If nothing else, have 2 games in northern states, both a "southern team" vs a "northern team" ie Dallas @ Chicago, or LA @ New York. There are only 4 or 5 bowl games over the entire New Years day. and they have it spread out in a manner which puts the freakin GMAC Bowl on the 6th, the day before the National Chamionship. People want sports to watch on a holiday. I think the NHL can benefit, if they do this properly.

CMJ · December 25, 2008

All I ask is that you back up your statement, with something other than an apparant slam, which you did, thanks. As to the No. Never. comment, that tells me you dont know jack about the sport. If Im wrong, please contribute to the discussion.
Yeah, I know the ratings for the all star game sucked. That has more to do with Bettman and the presentation. I think the product is excellent. The NHL will always struggle until Bettman is gone, and they promote more stars like Ovechkin and Crosby. If the current trend of bowl games continues, the NHL should look at a double or triple header of outdoor games every New Year. One in Canada, one in the Northern US, and one in the Southern US. If the City of Dallas can operate an ice rink in the West End, then I think a southern city can manage an outdoor rink for one day. If nothing else, have 2 games in northern states, both a "southern team" vs a "northern team" ie Dallas @ Chicago, or LA @ New York. There are only 4 or 5 bowl games over the entire New Years day. and they have it spread out in a manner which puts the freakin GMAC Bowl on the 6th, the day before the National Chamionship. People want sports to watch on a holiday. I think the NHL can benefit, if they do this properly.

No shot. Unless there is a playoff with no New Years Day Bowls...January 1st will always mean Bowl games. It's like the 1st Saturday in May is Kentucky Derby Day or March is March Madness. It's Ameircana to the nth degree.

Green P1 · December 25, 2008

All I ask is that you back up your statement, with something other than an apparant slam, which you did, thanks. As to the No. Never. comment, that tells me you dont know jack about the sport. If Im wrong, please contribute to the discussion.
Yeah, I know the ratings for the all star game sucked. That has more to do with Bettman and the presentation. I think the product is excellent. The NHL will always struggle until Bettman is gone, and they promote more stars like Ovechkin and Crosby. If the current trend of bowl games continues, the NHL should look at a double or triple header of outdoor games every New Year. One in Canada, one in the Northern US, and one in the Southern US. If the City of Dallas can operate an ice rink in the West End, then I think a southern city can manage an outdoor rink for one day. If nothing else, have 2 games in northern states, both a "southern team" vs a "northern team" ie Dallas @ Chicago, or LA @ New York. There are only 4 or 5 bowl games over the entire New Years day. and they have it spread out in a manner which puts the freakin GMAC Bowl on the 6th, the day before the National Chamionship. People want sports to watch on a holiday. I think the NHL can benefit, if they do this properly.

I thought no never was a correctly succinct response which implied the level of confidence in my answer to your question. If you want longer winded then I'll give it a go.

I should begin by stating that I don't care the slightest bit hockey. I've been to probably 10-15 Dallas Stars games in the past four years simply because my old boss always had season tickets and I will never turn down free admission to a professional sporting event. The simplest justification for no never might be the fact that even the biggest of NHL fans are often quick to admit that hockey does not translate well on TV. Add outdoor blizzard conditions to the mix and casual/fringe hockey fans/viewers can't make out a single thing that's happening. While many will fly by the channel to get a look at the spectacle of it, not many will stay simply because they can't make out whats happening.

As much as some may want to argue this, football has become Americas Pastime. Its the only major sport left that American's can claim sole ownership of. Hockey is the least Americanized of the supposed big 4 sports and its ratings across the board reflect it. Trying to match a niche hockey game against bowl games on New Years day in an exercise in futility. Although some argue that the matchups on New Year's Day are garbage, an assertion which I somewhat agree with, they serve their purpose as a ramp up to the anticipated BCS games soon to follow.

Very well written article which better states my opinion. It's a few years old but the heart of the argument still rings true.

The NHL in America: A Lost Cause

Edited December 28, 2008 by Green P1

Censored by Laurie · December 28, 2008

I thought no never was a correctly succinct response which implied the a level of confidence in my answer to your question. If you want longer winded then I'll give it a go.
I should begin by stating that I don't care for the slightest bit hockey. I've been to probably 10-15 Dallas Stars games in the past fours years simply because my old boss always had season tickets and I will never turn down free admission to a professional sporting event. The simplest justification for no never might be the fact that even the biggest of NHL fans are often quick to admit that hockey does not translate well on TV. Add outdoor blizzard conditions to the mix and casual/fringe hockey fans/viewers can't make out a single thing that's happening. While many will fly by the channel to get a look at the spectacle of it, not many will stay simply because they can't make out whats happening.
As much as some may want to argue this, football has become Americas Pastime. Its the only major sport left that American's can claim sole ownership of. Hockey is the least Americanized of the supposed big 4 sports and its ratings across the board reflect it. Trying to match a niche hockey game against bowl games on New Years day in an exercise in futility. Although some argue that the matchups on New Year's Day are garbage, an assertion which I somewhat agree with, they serve their purpose as a ramp up to the anticipated BCS games soon to follow.
Very well written article which better states my opinion. It's a few years old but the heart of the argument still rings true.
The NHL in America: A Lost Cause

Whipper-snapper

ntsumgspe · December 31, 2008

The NHL is rolling out the Red Wings vs the Blackhawks at Wrigley. 2 of the most storied franchises in hockey, and 2 of the original 6 (if you dont count the actual original 4 NHL teams) My question is do you think that the NHL could possible steal New Year's away from the NCAA if they keep screwing up the bowls? All this is of course assuming Bettman can grow a brain at some point.

As a die-hard Hawks and Cubs fan, I can't wait for this event. The atmosphere in Wrigleyville will be unbelievable. Coming off a 4-0 loss to the Deadwings, I'm hoping the Hawks come out firing on all cylinders. To answer your question, I don't think the Winter Classic could steal New Years away from the NCAA, but maybe it could get people interested in the GREAT sport of Hockey that normally wouldn't.

GO MEAN GREEN !!! and GO HAWKS !!!

KingDL1 · January 1, 2009

Is there a test or quiz you could point me towards so that I might find out if I'm qualified to discuss the game of hockey in here?

Have you stayed in a Holiday Inn Express lately?

KingDL1 · January 1, 2009

Hockey will pick up ratings over time, several things are happening that will help this sport become a completely national game, versus a more regional game that I thing it still kind of is.

The first and quickest will be the move to HDTV, hockey is much much better on HD the puck is many times easier to follow and see. It makes the action much more interesting and even the fights.

The second and probably the long-term power house for fans is the wide spread growth of hockey being played in high schools, in the last 5-10 years in cities across the south and other areas of the country where hockey was relatively unknown, high schools have started Ice Hockey teams. I think with time this will mean that fan base for the NHL will just increase and infect more and more fans but this is a 20+ year building process.

In addition adult leagues are starting up in the same areas as the new high school Teams, I now play and I have met guys from Florida to California that learned to play as adults and love hockey.

One thing about hockey players they love to watch Pro Hockey nothing like the guys I know that play soccer, many of them will tell me they love to play but they don't really enjoy watching soccer.

I think NHL hockey will in the next 20 years surpass MLB and take the third spot.

Just my thoughts.

No I am not saying it will ever take away from Bowl Games, just that its market share will rise.

Edited January 2, 2009 by KingDL1

UNT_92_Fan · January 2, 2009

I am not even remotely a big hockey fan and that game today was pretty fun to watch. I even went to a Stars game last week! If any of you hockey fans wanna try to convert me to a fan I will go to games with you if you want me to. Haha

MDH · January 2, 2009

I love the winter classic idea myself. It's at a time of pretty weak bowl games so it's the main thing I'm watching in that slot. I lived in Canada for 5.5 years....if you didn't like hockey you were going to be out of the loop. Definitely my favorite sport live! I prefer minor league squads.

Green Mean · January 2, 2009

Hockey will pick up ratings over time, several things are happening that will help this sport become a completely national game, verses a more regional game that I thing it still kind of is.
The first and quickest will be the move to HDTV, hockey is much much better on HD the puck is many times easier to follow and see. It makes the action much more interesting and even the fights.
The second and probably the long-term power house for fans is the wide spread growth of hockey being played in high schools, in the last 5-10 years in cities across the south and other areas of the country where hockey was relatively unknown, high schools have started Ice Hockey teams. I think with time this will mean that fan base for the NHL will just increase and infect more and more fans but this is a 20+ year building process.
In addition adult leagues are starting up in the same areas as the new high school Teams, I play now play and I have met guys from Florida to California that learned to play as adults and love hockey.
One thing about hockey players they love to watch Pro Hockey nothing like the guys I know that play soccer, many of them will tell me they love to play but they don't really enjoy watching soccer.
I think NHL hockey will in the next 20 years surpass MLB and take the third spot.
Just my thoughts.
No I am not saying it will ever take away from Bowl Games, just that its market share will rise.

I completely agree with everything in your post. I am not sure if it will ever surpass baseball but atleast hockey will become more of a big time number 4 sport and generate interest. I think the severe expansion in the south wasn't the best of ideas. I mean places like Phoenix, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville....I just don't know if they are the best places to have an NHL team. I strongly believe that Hockey has totally made it in Dallas because of the success the Stars have had here. I believe the have made it to the playoffs all but one or two years since 1994 not to mention that Stanley Cup year was pretty magical when the Cowboys were starting to suck, Mavs sucked and the Rangers were starting to go back to sucdom. The interest in hockey in the high school/junior levels here is very very high and that is why Hockey here will be very successful. I say they need to relocate some teams back up north or maybe take away some franchises that just aren't making it.

MDH · January 2, 2009

I'd like to see teams in places like Winnipeg, Seattle, Salt Lake or Milwaukee.

UNT_92_Fan · January 2, 2009

... If any of you hockey fans wanna try to convert me to a fan I will go to games with you if you want me to. Haha

King this was directed at you... just so you know.... haha just kiddin bro

KingDL1 · January 3, 2009

King this was directed at you... just so you know.... haha just kiddin bro

I had some glass seats drop in my lap New Year's Eve, I love being on the glass.

How long does it take you to get to Tollway and Northwest Hwy? On a weeknight.

I get tickets randomly and on short notice but they are free and always platinum level or lower.

UNT_92_Fan · January 3, 2009

I had some glass seats drop in my lap New Year's Eve, I love being on the glass.
How long does it take you to get to Tollway and Northwest Hwy? On a weeknight.
I get tickets randomly and on short notice but they are free and always platinum level or lower.

I am a high school teacher now... I can be anywhere at anytime... I get out of school at 2:45