Winter Classic? Take it to the Bank!
If the NHL's Winter Classic comes to Philly, it should be at Citizens Bank Park
Winter Classic? Take it to the Bank!
Look at the picture above, and now picture an NHL rink right about where the baseball diamond sits. Oh, and light snowfall. Wouldn't that be a beautiful thing? The 2012 NHL Winter Classic, starring the Broad Street Bullies just off of Broad Street, at Citizens Bank Park.
They've played outdoor hockey on New Year's Day for four years now, and it's becoming increasingly clear what works and what doesn't. The inaugural Winter Classic in 2008, which was held in Buffalo and, in a highly predictable development, a snowstorm, was a special event, a rare case when something with the overhyped moniker of "Classic" actually was.
For the next two years, the NHL skated in two of the premier sporting venues in America -- Chicago's Wrigley Field and Boston's Fenway Park, framed by ivy covered walls and green monsters, enough to help fans forget that the weather was kind of boring. Then came Saturday's Winter Classic at Heinz Field....
The weather didn't cooperate at all -- so warm and rainy that the game was moved from early afternoon to the nighttime. And while Heinz Field -- which does open up onto Pittsburgh's three rivers on one end -- has have a tad more atmosphere than most of the NFL's new pleasure palaces, at the end of the day its still a symmetrical, boring pro football venue.
Clearly, NBC felt that pairing (and relentless hyping) hockey's two biggest stars in Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's (sigh) Sidney Crosby was worth a lot, but Jan. 1 is the one day when the ambiance needs to surpass the players out on the ice. And it's clear that an outdoor game without either winter weather or a scenic backdrop is pretty much just another hockey game.
And so now come the inevitable rumors that the 2012 Classic is headed for Lincoln Financial Field. If it comes to Philadelphia, I'll be thrilled, and the first person on line for tickets. But why the Linc? Don't get me from, I think the new stadium has been a great deal for the Eagles and their fans -- more comfortable, encouraging noise and boisterous Philly fandom but not the "broken windows" unvarnished rowdyism of the Vet's notorious 700 Level.
It just doesn't strike me as a special place to stage a hockey game.
Citizens Bank Park would be different. The love affair between Philadelphia and its baseball stadium (and, sure, winning has helped) has been truly special since the doors swung open in 2004. The feeling is more intimate, from home plate to Ashburn Alley, and the ballpark has a sturdy red-brick character that far surpasses the Linc. Yes, the NHL would sell more tickets in the football venue, but the Winter Classic's main success has been boosting hockey on television, which benefits the sport not just in Philadelphia on one day, but from coast-to-coast. And a game at the Linc could be a bit of a dud, especially if the weather in 2012 is similar to the 50-degree temps we posted this New Year's Day.
So let's bring outdoor hockey to Philly, but let's take it to Bank!
And let's hope the NHL didn't hear anything about this.
I agree with Will Bunch (on way to get head examined).
It would be a classic venue for Hockey.
PS Obama is the Worst President Ever- WPE
CBP would be much more atmospheric. A hockey rink at the Linc would look miniscule from the upper deck. Regardless, if the Winter Classic is in Philly, I'm in.— PattyB23- I disagree that this year's Classic was a disappointment. Granted, rain just stinks all around, but ask the 70,000 people who went if they cared. It's not about the actual game -- that's what the playoffs are for. It's about the spectacle of being in the elements -- rain, snow, frigid temperatures, etc. It's just a wonderful event and I agree it should be held at CBP if it ever comes to Philly. Flyers-Rangers would be perfect. I can see the Phanatic in his thermals now!— UncleEddie
Comment removed.- PNC park is incredible but both it and the bank are much smaller. If it's in Philly, it should be held at franklin field.— dreinterests
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- Aside from the protest of the staff in State College, I still think it would be an awesome venue out there. But Will is right CBP would prob be a better venue. As noted earlier, I think it should go out west before it comes to Philly— DrewP
- Hockey.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.— Talking point sleuth - Comment removed.
- sloboat makes a really good point.
Those Republican policies during 8 YEARS of the Bush administration really proved that Republican policies - as opposed to those of the liberal/socialist/communist/nazi-supporting/illegal immigrant-loving/limp-wristed libz - are soooooooooo "affordable." Now there's some "affordable" policies for ya.'
Yup. Tax cuts, unfunded wars, unfunded handouts to pharmaceutical companies, praying to the gods of deregulation.... yup.
Every Republican administration since the 50's has had less revenue as a percentage of spending and higher debt as a percentage of GDP than their Democratic predecessors and successors. But yeah - the libz policies are those that are not "affordable."
And clearly, Bunch is trying to avoid the obvious. I mean, it's not like Bunch has ever written about tax cuts, the economic crisis, economic policy. Nope. Never written about any of that.
I mean, it's not like sloboat is obsessed with his paranoid delusions about a left wing media conspiracy.
Or anything like that.
Oh. My sides.— Talking point sleuth - Unaffordable? Lets look at SS and Medicare- Medicaid. they swallow up huge percentages of the budget and LBJ opened the SS fund up for raiding by congresscritters. — RG
- If you can tear yourself away from fox news? for a minute do yourself a favor and find out how SS is funded. It is not part of the budget, it has a dedicated funding source,but i won't expect rw humps like you to be persuaded by facts. Keep voting for the repugs, they just love the middle class. — Malachy
- Its funded by FICA taxes. Thats not the issue. The receipts from these taxes used to be placed in the trust fund. IIRC, it was LBJ who put them into the general fund, so they could be spent for other stuff past the SS liabilities. — RG
Do something original: flood a vacant lot in Kensington for a rink and have a bunch of bewildered Canadians skating amongst a bunch of bewildered junkies, all being watched on television by a bunch of bewildered viewers.— Mr. Smith
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