So was it everything you wanted it to be?

[Sylvan]

I wish it were that simple....
... What? No Labatts at a hockey game?

o i c. I hope you find a way to fix all of that!

And yes, there is always some Labatts around. 20oz 7%'ers from Canada. I rarely buy the american sludge.

[CAugust]

The game was awesome!!! the excitement was truely nothing more than 110% friendly and full of enthusiasm. The snow made it all the better - they had bands playing outside the stadium, vendors and lots of other fun stuff to do!! If they ever decide to do it again, I am sure it will be just as popular. Dressing warm is not a problem, people do live in Alaska and survive you know? The seating wasnt the greatest, but they had the jumbo tron, and that was totally fine with me and my family. I would like to see it become an annual event on New Years Day - we shall see how that goes as time goes on. Except for an illness, those of you who missed the game, missed something really special. I paid for obstructed view seats, $10.00 each, my husband still doesnt beleive that is what I paid, but I did. I consider myself lucky enough to be able to go. The energy was so high, that just about everyone stood the whole game, not b/c they were unable to see, but because of the excitement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was a big deal for Buffalo, all limos were sold out months in advance, all rvs that were available were sold out, all the hotels were busy - come on guys, stop being so pessimistic - it's 2008, and that being said , I am going to the gym

colleen

[HipKat]

Yep, and that's fine. How many other countries have a national anthem that describes combat?

I thought it was very classy of Buffalo to use both Doug Allen and Ronan Tynan both, and nice of NBC to show both being sung.

yeah, I was on the Sab's message board while the game was on and when Doug Allen sang the Canadian Natl. Anthem, we were all saying that Ronan should be singing, and them Viola!! there he was!
Props to Doug for not wearing a coat!

[HipKat]

The game was awesome!!! the excitement was truely nothing more than 110% friendly and full of enthusiasm. The snow made it all the better - they had bands playing outside the stadium, vendors and lots of other fun stuff to do!! If they ever decide to do it again, I am sure it will be just as popular. Dressing warm is not a problem, people do live in Alaska and survive you know? The seating wasnt the greatest, but they had the jumbo tron, and that was totally fine with me and my family. I would like to see it become an annual event on New Years Day - we shall see how that goes as time goes on. Except for an illness, those of you who missed the game, missed something really special. I paid for obstructed view seats, $10.00 each, my husband still doesnt beleive that is what I paid, but I did. I consider myself lucky enough to be able to go. The energy was so high, that just about everyone stood the whole game, not b/c they were unable to see, but because of the excitement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was a big deal for Buffalo, all limos were sold out months in advance, all rvs that were available were sold out, all the hotels were busy - come on guys, stop being so pessimistic - it's 2008, and that being said , I am going to the gym

colleen

I would have killed to be there. I wish they had put seats on the field, along the sides of the rink. They could have easily sold and filled 500 more seats.

[unioncop]

I would have killed to be there. I wish they had put seats on the field, along the sides of the rink. They could have easily sold and filled 500 more seats.

it was a great time and I loved tailgating at a hockey game and the snow just added to the fun

[speaker]

The whole thing was classy, and they played their hearts out. Really good.

They would have to make a few new rules for outside games because of the wind and snow.

Really a proud showing.

[Velvet Fog]

As expected; national spotlight and Buffalo loses--be it football or hockey were a choke city when it comes to sports--we even managed to branch out this year and Cleveland choked in the baseball playoffs--then again Buffalo Bisons are their farm team! Coincidence--I think not.

[Sylvan]

The whole thing was classy, and they played their hearts out. Really good.

They would have to make a few new rules for outside games because of the wind and snow.

Really a proud showing.

What rules would you propose?
I prefer to leave the weather factor out of it, BUT I would propose, for outdoor games, teams switch sides "approximately" every 10 minutes (and not just in the third period) since the zamboni goes out to clear the snow anyway. "The horn" should not stop the play, only the first whistle after the 10 minute mark.

[PaulJonson]

As expected; national spotlight and Buffalo loses--be it football or hockey were a choke city when it comes to sports--we even managed to branch out this year and Cleveland choked in the baseball playoffs--then again Buffalo Bisons are their farm team! Coincidence--I think not.

As expected, you don't get the bigger picture.

[PaulJonson]

it was a great time and I loved tailgating at a hockey game and the snow just added to the fun

I thought it was great how every time they were about to come out of a commercial it would start to snow, as if just for the cameras.

It was also great that they flew the NHL flags at the stadium too.

[mesue]

I was at the game and don't remember hearing the national anthem. Did they sing it while I was in the john? If not, i think that is completely disrespectful. God Bless America can't take the place of our national anthem.

No, they sang God Bless America instead. It was sung beautifully, the intro was outstanding. I really liked how Ronan Tynan sang.
That being said ...
I love God Bless America and truly believe it should have been our national anthem, it's not I'll deal.
I think it was very wrong for them not to The Star Spangled Banner especially when they sang O Canada on USA soil. There is something so not right about that IMHO.

[dags]

The NHL got everything they were hoping for(maybe a few more goals would have been nice)snow,ot and a shoot out...also Crosby winning the game. For those complaining he was mention too much...well he is the future and he is bigger than an Sabre will be for the future of the NHL. That is a big reason Pittsburgh was chosen for this game.

It was great to watch and I wish I had gone. I hope it is not a yearly tradition as it will not be as special. Every 4yrs would be good. Different teams as well. Buffalo/Toronto I think would have been great.

[Velvet Fog]

As expected, you don't get the bigger picture.

No I get it wiseguy. I was just making another point that whenever its a big game our team blows it.

And by the way, the picture isn;t that big. We'll see when the ratings come out. Judging that the "Winter Classic" wasn't even mentioned until the 15th minute of ESPN news I can surmise that, as usual, Buffalo/WNY believes its a bigger deal than what it really was. I read the ratings were close to 40.0 which means the national average will be at least half that--lets see.

PS: You shouldn't bait; no one likes a punk (Their a dime a dozen)

[PaulJonson]

No I get it wiseguy. I was just making another point that whenever its a big game our team blows it.

And by the way, the picture isn;t that big. We'll see when the ratings come out. Judging that the "Winter Classic" wasn't even mentioned until the 15th minute of ESPN news I can surmise that, as usual, Buffalo/WNY believes its a bigger deal than what it really was. I read the ratings were close to 40.0 which means the national average will be at least half that--lets see.

PS: You shouldn't bait; no one likes a punk (Their a dime a dozen)

Thanks Debbie Downer.

[Velvet Fog]

Thanks Debbie Downer.

Just a dose of reality. I think its time people become more realistic and realize the world doesn't care, might as well revolve around Buffalo.

I'm predicting about a 3.0-4.0 rating which means only people that watch hockey watched the game. WHich means all the coverage, blah blah blah meant nothing. Thats my point and that we always lose when in the national spotlight.

I wasn't trying to be a downer, so excuse me for being a realist of the situation.

I thought it was great and too bad more things weren't done locally to promote the area: One I can think of is reaching out to Pittsburgh and promoting New Year's deals. Restaurants, sites etc.
Another idea would have been a commercial endorsing Buffalo on National TV during the game. Just a thought that makes too much sense I guess.