Going Back to the Outdoors

TSN.ca is reporting that the NHL will head to Chicago for the next Winter Classic in January. The Chicago Blackhawks will host the Detroit Red Wings, at a Chicago stadium yet to be announced, for what is quickly becoming a new annual tradition.

The success of the game in Buffalo was certainly good motivation to keep pushing an outdoor game, as it brings a large crowd out to a hockey game and it did provide an alright television product, which could very well be improved.

The two locations speculated to being used would either Soldier Field, where the NFL Bears play or Wrigley Field, where the MLB Cubs play. I suppose the logical choice would be Wrigley Field, in case the Bears are still playing football in January. At Wrigley Field, the ice crew could have more preparation time to make sure the ice is good & smooth for the participants, fans in the stands and the television outlets.

Of course, there would be attendance discrepancies between the two parks, as Soldier Field can hold 63,000 people, where Wrigley Field can hold over 41,000.

Fortunately for the league, the two teams matched up would be good for everyone watching. The Red Wings, possible Stanley Cup Champions, would be playing the new breed of superstars, the Blackhawks. The match-ups pretty much write their own billboards. Zetterberg versus Toews. Datsyuk versus Kane. Lidstrom versus the rest of the Blackhawks (ha ha). A very exciting prospect.