Blue Notes

I loved it. I understand the game was slower and it took some of the skill players out of their game (but note that Sid still managed some killer moves and won the shootout as well as assisting on goal #1). But I thought the entire spectacle of the game itself, and the fact that the elements were involved for a change, and there were 70,000 people there and it was on national TV, all of it I thought added up to make NHL hockey feel like NFL football for a day - at least in terms of the number of people and the sense of importance and grandeur - the "eventness" of it, I suppose.

I agree with Peter. I really enjoyed it, despite the agonizingly long stoppages.

typical media person being a killjoy by putting down a special event like this one was today for hockey fans --- ugh

A kill joy. I don't think so considering he pointed out many valid points. I would've personally liked to see a Rangers v isles or Rangers v devils game.

yeah i agree i want to see a Rangers islanders game ... that would sell out real fast and it would be so much fun. Although i also think that today was a great game and was a very special thing for hockey

I enjoyed the game and thought it was great for the NHL. There were a lot of stoppages but what can you do when it's snowing that hard. I think they should make it an every other season type of thing.

Yeah, I certainly could have done without Milbury who seemed to take such perverse pride in goonism. And I expected more class from Costas.

OTOH the somewhat less than optimum playing conditions aside, itwas fun to watch real hockey and you could see the players were enjoying themselves. Also, although arguably a "gimmick" much, much less of one compared with the NHL norm, countless annoying intrusions (like blasting acid rock during stoppages, those commercial promotions; scoreboards exhorting fans to "make noise" (like they don't know when noise is appropriate), etc. etc.

A couple of mild scrums to be sure, but no hitting from behind, slew-footing, high-sticking, slashing -- the kind that turns the new or more casual observer against the game, brings the league's punishment-guru or a player on a gurney into the picture.

I wish the ice conditions had been better, but there it was, a competition between a pair of teams with which I have no rooting interest playing in a game with only peripheral import to me as a Rangers fan.

BTW, did anyone miss the neutral zone ice surface adless and pristene?

Going with Zipay on this one. The feel, the novelty, the size and the attention it grabbed were all goo things. But, it was a nice try and thats about it.

The game was slow, boring and lacked alot of the heart and skill you see on a nightly basis. If the NHL wants more attention and more of the Sports spotlight it should turn its attention towards and new TV deal with a major network not the VS crap we are getting now.

I actually really enjoyed the game. The long stoppages to patch the ice up was annoying but there wasn't any choice.

It was pretty exciting though, there were a lot of posts, crossbar shots.

They really were pushing Crosby as you would expect, but truthfully, the kid is just friggin dazzling.

Those Pens uniforms were sweet too, and I always feel those should be the permanent Sabres uniforms.

I thought it was great for hockey overall. In case you haven't noticed, hockey is a second-tier sport in the U.S. It isn't in the same league as college football, college basketball, pro football, pro basketball, baseball.... or even car racing for that matter. The outdoor game showed what hockey is all about. It took the players back to their roots and showcased the greatest individual talent in the game today. Who wouldn't want to see Rangers/Devils at Giants Stadium next winter? I rest my case

I was at the game. It was nothing short of awe-inspiring to see. The slow play didn't factor in at all to the enjoyment of the experience. I have it recorded so I'll have to see how it translates to t.v.

It's a noble endeavor to try and and showcase the sport, but 100% of non-NHL fans were watching college bowl games the entire game.

That's that.

Decent premise, terrible execution, horrendous team choices, and the worst day of the year to schedule it on.

At least you can say the NHL is consistent.

Any word on the Henrik negotiations? EJ Hradek is reporting they have started.

I think any trade possibilities involving players under contract for next year coming to NY were always under tough consideration cause it wasn't known exactly how much Henrik will end up getting.

chris - excellent point. I guess once we hear the terms of hank's deal, we may see a move.

The way I saw it, was great for people who never watched hockey before or just a brief acquaintance with it and because of that event, there may be more people interested in hockey.

Could have done without Costas and Milbury. I wonder how many people at home watching hockey for the first time were turned off by those two clowns??

Personally, I enjoyed it because it was different and the elements changed the way the game was played.

Next...when is Sather signing Lundqvist??

Whoops, missed your post Chris, you already raised the Lundqvist question.

OK, let me raise another one. How many of you think Sather will present an offer to Ovechkin?

Lenny, he won't. There is no way that we can afford a league max contract. I say league max because the Caps will max anything. We can't have Gomez, Drury, Henrik at 7m+ and then have a 10m player... it just won't happen.

The Caps need AO for their franchise.. he's unbelievable, but he has no support.

To be honest, I'd rather have a Lundqvist than a Crosby/AO.. look at them in the standings.