Penguins Organization Extends Grattitude Towards Fans

Now that the dust has finally settled and the hockey world can recover from their major sporting event during the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have released an official statement from the top brass within expressing many thanks to the fans and city of which they seem so proud.

On behalf of Mario Lemieux and the entire Penguins organization, I want to thank our fans for your incredible role in making the Winter Classic one of the greatest sporting events in the city’s history.

Of course, the people in the "trenches" who provided the security, concessions, as well as the sanitation, should also get a round of applause working on what turned out to be a really cold and rainy New Years Day.

I think the Pittsburgh fans and visitors were able to adjust to the time change and took on a whole new perspective of the game under the lights. It will be a trivia point for years to come as the first game to be played outdoors under the lights.

Official Penguins Website

Ulman Girls Model Winter Classic Jerseys

Now that we are just a month away from the Winter Classic, the hype begins with the promotions of the jerseys. I think the real money that gets the economy going is all the merchandise that gets sold during and after the event.

As I have profiled before on this blog, Robert Ullman's Atom Bomb Bikini, is a cartoonist and stand alone Penguins fan in Capitals territory, has once again given his talents to what the Winter Classic jerseys look like - on a sultry female. You can see the previously released Washington Capitals Winter Classic jersey gal here. Then see the un-watermarked Pittsburgh Penguins Winter Classic jersey gal released here.

Once again, his girly pin-ups should appeal to even the casual fan. It's got a sweet innocence and style that reminds me of Bruce Timm. It makes me appreciate the jersey more now that I see it on a gal than a sweaty guy. It perfectly blends together 2 of my favorite subjects - which makes me always going back to check out what his latest creation is.

He's got plenty of other teams represented like Chicago, Philadelphia, and Toronto. So, on your own, I would encourage everyone to go take a look at his art.

[WARNING: Rob Ullman's non-sports and non-comic work is not safe for work as it depicts the more fanciful desires of the feminine form!]

Pittsburgh Penguins Unveil Winter Classic Jersey Sweater

The Pittsburgh Penguins have released their uniforms at practice this morning. Popular young stars Evgeni "Geno" Malkin and Jordan Staal wore them for the press and for the select fans. And then the thundering sound was heard as every hockey fan rushed to their computers and other network sharing electronic devices.

Looking at them, from a critic's point of view, I am truly disappointed that the Penguins once again chose to ignore the very look that is associated with a winning legacy in the city. The 1990-91 jersey would have looked just as great - if not better - than the jersey design they chose to go with now.

The blue color is a change to the usual black and gold color scheme that the city defines it's identity from and expects to see from it's sports teams. The blue color is a show of some originality and perhaps a stand-out from the rest of the league's teams. The only black and gold is found in the ancient logo that makes up the team crest. It's an intentional throwback to when the team was first formed, which is essentially the purpose of the Winter Classic - to take the teams and the game back to the beginning origins of where it came.

I don't know if the Pittsburgh Penguins are planning to phase out the powder blue uniforms that were transitioned to 3rd jersey status since the initial Winter Classic. It would seem likely once the NHL and Penguins management get a look at the sales figures.

On January 1, 2010, the NHL will host another outdoor game in Pittsburgh, PA with the bitter rivals Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals and can be seen on NBC.

HBO teams with NHL to make doccumentary of Winter Classic 2011

Back when the biggest controversial debate was how the NHL should sign a worthwhile TV contract, many fans, including bloggers, desired a way that could link away for fans to get introduced to the players themselves and get to know them as people. The more players the NHL can show to the public, they can back off of selling hockey's golden boys Ovechkin and Crosby.

Seeing the success that the subscription based cable channel Home Box Office, HBO, has had with the NFL all access reality series, the NHL is going to gamble on the idea that HBO can do the same thing to them. Making the NHL athletes as a viable marketing plan for the future is trending with everyone else in North America. Lets know who these people really are under the helmets.

The hype for this Winter Classic can't get any bigger than the initial announcement made in the middle of Heinz Field. Added with the additional story lines of a traditional rivalry, the ratings are a guaranteed success.

Winter Classic 2011 Unveils Logo + Press Publicity

The Winter Classic is going to get really big next year as I expect it to be hyped from now until the event itself. But while things are quiet on the western front, the NHL along with the cooperating franchises, held a joint press conference to announce the event.

The first thing that I wanted to see coming from this presser was the new updated logo for the event. After the first one, the host city got it's own unique style worked into the event. So, the logo (seen at left), is similar to some other downtown Pittsburgh events and reflects the unique city skyline along with the many bridges that it takes to get anywhere and everywhere. It also uses the sharp points that can be found on the Pittsburgh flag's coat of arms. A really sharp piece of artwork that I am sure will pop up on a t-shirt in every sports equipment store in the area.There were a variety of photo opportunities that the Penguins as well as Gary Bettman behind a microphone podium reused from the recent NHL Draft in Los Angeles.

There is also a video being circulated around with Mario and Crosby taking slapshots at the football goalposts over at the Pittsburgh Penguins TV website.

I can't wait to be there for the event!

Pittsburgh to Host Winter Classic 2011

It was leaked today that the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be the host of the NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2011. It looks as if Canada will have to wait yet another year to host this game.

But for now, the Pittsburgh Penguins' neighbors at Heinz Field will host the game and surely put one tremendous Black and Gold Flavor to the Winter Classic. I didn't expect this event to come to Pittsburgh this soon because the Penguins have already been in a Winter Classic. But when the ultimate scenario fell into place, both NBC and the NHL salivated over, there was no other way but to go with the biggest event in hockey since an Olympic gold medal game.

Crosby was instrumental in creating the outdoor game series a rousing success when he slipped the puck in front of an energized Buffalo crowd. Now, they have added a new angle to examine. Enter the "hero-villain" storyline with the Winter Classic. It justs gets even better. The Crosby vs Ovechkin story will again be described as a key match-up in the historical rivalry.

Having the Winter Classic returned to the natural oval venue like a football stadium is what is going to make this a great bigger deal for me. Every fan that will be packed into the Heinz Field Stadium will have an awesome perspective.

I don't know what kind of coverage I can be able to give you from here knowing that this 2011 Winter Classic will be played in my own back yard. I will for sure do my very best to stay on top of this breaking story development and blog about it with my own unique style.

Heinz Field Potentially A Winter Classic Host Location

Despite rumors that the January 1, 2011 Winter Classic game will be played at Heinz Field, the NHL and the Pittsburgh Penguins have already not officially confirmed it to be true. I, for many Pittsburgh hockey fans, have been excited by this news in the same way since the announcement that the city was getting a new arena.

I suppose my criticisms of the past winter classics have made their way towards the NHL brass about putting hockey games on baseball fields. It just isn't conducive to lines of sight than a natural bowl that a football field provides. And there is always the attendence availability to consider. The Pittsburgh fans here have gobbled up available tickets to just about anything Steelers or Penguins. No doubt that a Winter Classic will be sold out in under an hour.

With the popularity of the Winter Classic continuing on the rise, there is reportedly many host cities in line to get the newest January 1st tradition. It would also be great to see the major city of New York lose out to Pittsburgh in hosting the event. I'm sure that a lot of special interest money (read: Steinbrenner) will be pushed "all in" to attract a major holiday event. But Pittsburgh has the better bargaining power of matching up the two biggest rivals this sport has ever seen.

[Via: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

NHL Ratings Increase During Winter Classic

Not only was there more eyes focused on the Winter Classic in Chicago, but there was also an increase in Bridgestone tire company mentions during the entire broadcast. I am a bit jealous because I still liked the uniqueness of the big Buffalo game.

Last year's Winter Classic at the Buffalo Bills' Ralph Wilson Stadium drew a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5.0 share on NBC when Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 2-1 in a shootout.

It marked a return for NHL on TV and stuck it to all the haters who wanted to see hockey wither and die out. But now that last years game was a phenomenal and true classic, more eyes wanted to check out the second version.

Ratings increased 12 per cent in the U.S. for the NHL's third outdoor game, which featured the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field.

It might have had something to do with the larger market and with that... a more even interest level. Chicago currently fits within the 3rd largest media market in the country. Despite holding a game in New York's Yankee Stadium, the Wrigley Field set-up gave it a intriguing storyline.

The hard part was selling non-Wings and Hawks fans on the game too.

The New Year's Day event on NBC earned a 2.9 overnight rating and a 6.0 share, the best overnight NHL regular-season rating in nearly 13 years. The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 6-4.

Almost immediately, pundits reported that they know cities are lining up to bid on the next game in 2011.

[Via: Toronto Star]

NHL 09 May Contain Winter Classic

Sean Leahy of the blog Going Five Hole has scored a great interview with a representative of EA Sports and drilled him with questions about the upcoming NHL 09 due to hist stores this September 9th. You can read the full interview by the link at the bottom.

I think the last paragraph of his blog article pretty much catches it all.

One of the questions I asked was about whether or not a Winter Classic mode in the game. Eric answered "can't say". Now, he knows all about the game at this point and he holding back information for obvious reasons. I have to believe if there was zero chance of this addition being in the 09 game, he would have just outright say 'no' correct?

There is a "huge surprise" left to be announced by EA Sports regarding NHL 09. Until it's officially out of the bag, I'm saying the Winter Classic will be a playable mode.

That makes total sense to me too. The only outdoor fun on NHL 08 was with the mini games one-on-one skills competitions.

[Via: Going Five Hole]

NHL Preparing Chicago For Winter Classic

Something like this 2 years ago would be considered unimaginable under the previous Blackhawk ownership regime. But the city of Chicago had been rewarded with hockey's latest spectacle, leaving the NHL to sell it to the fans and the networks for news coverage.

“The Chicago Cubs are honored for Wrigley Field to be the first baseball venue to host a National League Hockey game,” said Crane Kenney, Chairman of the Cubs. “We thank all of those involved for helping make New Year’s Day at the Friendly Confines a reality, including Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, our Alderman Tom Tunney, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings organizations.”

Last year's game was special as I had deep rooting interest since my hometown team was participating in it. The NHL and media will have to make a bigger effort this year to get me to stay attentive to this event.

First of all, the game will not be played in a football stadium like last year's Ralph Wilson stadium or Commonwealth Stadium years before. The natural oval shape of football stadiums make for great viewing, but the baseball field leaves plenty of unused surface area unsused. I had the same concerns back when the WWE hosted Wrestlemania 19 in Safeco Field in Seattle. The camera panning over the crowds made unusual angles.

I wish this next game will provide more Chicago fans back the the NHL game now with the promise of a future for this once proud "Original Six" city.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley added, “Chicago is widely known as the best sports town in the country. That’s why we are delighted that the National Hockey League has selected Chicago for its NHL Winter Classic 2009. We look forward to hosting the Detroit Red Wings in historic Wrigley Field and cheering the Chicago Blackhawks to victory.”

This is a historic 701st meeting vs these two oldest NHL teams. You would think this would be a very well-known rivalry, but in my opinion it is shadowed by the likes of Toronto/Montreal, Colorado/Detroit, and Calgary/Edmonton.

As long as the NHL can continue promote the game's storyline, perhaps even building some drama through media headlines, then I see this as another continued success for the league and their search for signs for more improved TV ratings.

With the promise of more news TBA-ed, I wonder if they again plan to use throwback jerseys during the game?

[Via: NHL.com]

Crosby Classic in the Clutch

With the amount of hype and media coverage that converged on this "classic" style game, the top goal for this would have to be delivering to the new fans in high hopes that it revives the TV ratings. The NHL needs to make a comeback. So, the league decided that it should get back to it's roots and sell itself as "old school".

I watched the game from the comforts of the Rivertowne Pub & Grille disappointed that I could not be in Buffalo to make the trip in person. I wouldn't know my way around on my own anyway. I was also wearing my own throwback jersey a #87 Crosby jersey circa 1991. At first, I didn't like the idea of the Penguins going that far back to their powder blue days. Pittsburgh is always black and gold to me. But as the game started, I found myself liking the powder blue Penguins jerseys and put them on a mental note to try and get one of those for my collection someday soon. The Sabres were no big surprise, as I have seen those in action when I was a little kid. With both teams blue, could have the Penguins settle for black and gold to provide a contrast?

Now on to the game and it's presentation on NBC. Finally, a major network presents the game how it should be done. I am going to credit NBC for sticking with a real game plan of highlighting players and introducing them to the audience. They also did a great job covering the weather and explaining why the snow was affecting the game play, how the players had to adjust, and saluted the ground crew for their yeoman-like work.

This is how hockey should be presented from now on! The WWE-styled pyrotechnics as the teams came onto the ice gave it a context that these teams were going to battle. Then we were treated to another moving rendition of O' Canada, proving once again that they have the better national anthem. Then in a plot-twist, the singer performing the American pre-game salute chose to spotlight his monologue instead of getting right to the anthem. Leftist secularists everywhere I predicted, at that moment, threw a collective hissy-fit at the mention of "God Bless America".

In the first minute, the game showed hopes of a high scoring affair as the Penguins were quick to score first. Crosby assisted on the first goal as I am sure he was feeling a little more pressure to shine when he knows a whole continent is watching him. New fans expect to be wowed by plenty of goals, but this game provided eye candy to the hardcore hockey fan as a well defenced game provided chances for goalies Ryan Miller and Ty Conklin to shine. Who better to have in the net

The game went into overtime and I went to the edge of my seat. The Penguins could ill-afford a loss and a win shoves a little more confidence in their direction. I could just sense that if Conklin could come up big, the Penguins shootout specialists would come through in the clutch. Christiansen, who is usually golden, misfired in the first round. Letang, who I was very supportive of in training camp, got another goal leading to Crosby's drama. When Crosby found an opening and sealed the win, I was elated that the one kid that had been hyped the whole game was able to prove just how good he was. On a similar note, Ryan Miller proved in this game why he is on the rise to becoming a premier elite goaltender in the upcoming generation of players.

I recently bought the Penguins 10 greatest games DVD box set and now I wish they waited another year so that this would be added into the legacy of the Penguins franchise. It has to be one of the best games I will always remember watching.

Lets do this every year! But maybe they should just make it an exhibition when too much rides on winning and losing points. Would an All-Star game work in this outdoor format? Some of the things they could have done better for a next time: Dump Costas- he loves himself too much. Reschedule event when nothing else is going on to steal media attention away.