Red Wings to face Blackhawks at Wrigley Field New Years Day 2009

[jerseygirl67]

I'd make a roadtrip to Chicago for this....

CHICAGO - Wrigley Field is going to be the frozen confines on New Year's Day 2009 when the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings meet the Chicago Blackhawks outdoors in the home park of the Chicago Cubs.

It will be the NHL's second Winter Classic. Jan. 1 in Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 before a crowd of 71,217. Snow fell during the game.

"We expect interest to be on an international level for this once-in-a-lifetime event," Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said.

The game will be televised nationally on NBC.

The matchup will be the 701st meeting between the Red Wings and Blackhawks — no two NHL opponents have played more regular-season games against one another than the two fierce rivals.

It will mark the third regular-season outdoor game in NHL history. The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 22, 2003.

"The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

Wrigley Field is the second-oldest baseball park in the major leagues behind Boston's Fenway Park. Wrigley Field opened in 1914. The park hosted two Sting concerts during the All-Star break of 2007 and patches of the outfield grass were torn and roughed up. The game could also be competing with college football bowl games for viewers.

"We've been a candidate to play in this for a long time and everybody in our organization is excited about being a part of what is becoming an annual outdoor classic," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "It's a tremendous opportunity to promote our game, our league and our team and have a one-in-a-lifetime experience at the same time."

Bettman also said the league will continue discussions with the New York Yankees and the city of New York to perhaps bring an outdoor game to the new Yankee Stadium that opens next year.

[mwgirlonherown]

I was in Chicago last week discussing this with the head of facility operations.

Very cool.

They plan to hold a lottery for tickets. Unfortunately they aren't planning to offer tickets to season ticket holders because they said there was a lack of interest in concert tickets. I argued that this is a sporting event which has greater appeal to baseball fans. If they do have a change of heart, I'll let you know.

[jerseygirl67]

Originally Posted by mwgirlonherown

I was in Chicago last week discussing this with the head of facility operations.

Very cool.

They plan to hold a lottery for tickets. Unfortunately they aren't planning to offer tickets to season ticket holders because they said there was a lack of interest in concert tickets. I argued that this is a sporting event which has greater appeal to baseball fans. If they do have a change of heart, I'll let you know.

How do I get in on a lottery for the tix?
That would be so very very cool (literally ) to see!

[Rossvegas]

I was at the game in Edmonton, and it was a blast! Real old skool pond hockey - crappy ice, snow banks in the corner and goalies wearing toques over their helmets. It's not as initmate as an arena game, but the vibe in the stands is amazing! Go for it, JG!

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by jerseygirl67

How do I get in on a lottery for the tix?
That would be so very very cool (literally ) to see!

Or, if you can't get a ticket, there's always the rooftops.

[jerseygirl67]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Or, if you can't get a ticket, there's always the rooftops.

OK, whose roof faces the stadium?????

LOL

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by jerseygirl67

OK, whose roof faces the stadium?????

LOL

The rooftops at Wrigley used to be where the renters in the buildings across the street would occassionally hang out during a game. During the 70's, these properties were less desirable due to their proximity to the park due to traffic congestion, etc. When night baseball was being debated in chicago, the owners of the properties opposed it because of the negative imapct it would have on rents. Well, turns out the impact has been just the opposite. The area gentrified in the 80's from largely blue collar to yuppies and Wrigley suddenly became an afterwork Mecca for young well-to-do Chicagoans. As such, the building were purchased by investors who realized the potential of the rooftops to be a money maker. They have constructed multi tiered stands and offer party packages, etc. Getting rooftop tickets is now like getting tickets for the ballpark itself. The owners have incorporated separate business to house their rooftop operations. Here is a picture of the rooftops. Google Wrigley rooftops and you can find out more.

http://ab417.org/items/media/1/20070...e_rooftops.jpg

[jerseygirl67]

Originally Posted by Frosty

The rooftops at Wrigley used to be where the renters in the buildings across the street would occassionally hang out during a game. During the 70's, these properties were less desirable due to their proximity to the park due to traffic congestion, etc. When night baseball was being debated in chicago, the owners of the properties opposed it because of the negative imapct it would have on rents. Well, turns out the impact has been just the opposite. The area gentrified in the 80's from largely blue collar to yuppies and Wrigley suddenly became an afterwork Mecca for young well-to-do Chicagoans. As such, the building were purchased by investors who realized the potential of the rooftops to be a money maker. They have constructed multi tiered stands and offer party packages, etc. Getting rooftop tickets is now like getting tickets for the ballpark itself. The owners have incorporated separate business to house their rooftop operations. Here is a picture of the rooftops. Google Wrigley rooftops and you can find out more.

http://ab417.org/items/media/1/20070...e_rooftops.jpg

WOW! Very cool. Thanks!!!

[mightyradgumbo]

Originally Posted by jerseygirl67

How do I get in on a lottery for the tix?
That would be so very very cool (literally ) to see!

Did someone say ROADTRIP???? LOL I am definitely interested in this as well. I was going to go to the game in Buffalo but something came up and had to back out.

YYR, Ross, hockey is a whole different game outside the barn. I played hockey outdoors for about a year or so as a little roux before being able to play indoors and thought "what luxury"! Smooth ice, no wind, people watching the game.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by mightyradgumbo

Did someone say ROADTRIP???? LOL I am definitely interested in this as well. I was going to go to the game in Buffalo but something came up and had to back out.

YYR, Ross, hockey is a whole different game outside the barn. I played hockey outdoors for about a year or so as a little roux before being able to play indoors and thought "what luxury"! Smooth ice, no wind, people watching the game.

Man, this is the greatest thing since half of the Major Leagues discovered...................outdoor baseball.