2009 NHL Winter Classic

I was lucky enough to get tickets to the NHL Winter Classic on Thursday. Yes, prices were steep but as a lifelong Red Wings fan living in Chicago there was no way I could pass it up.

Weather-wise, we had a nearly perfect day. It was in the upper 20′s (F) and cloudy, which apparently are optimal conditions for maintaining NHL-quality ice. The sun poked its head out at one point during the 3rd period but that didn’t seem to affect play at all. With the exception of slightly cold feet I was comfortable the entire time, though I’m sure I looked like the Michelin Man with all the snow gear I had on under my jersey.

The crowd was dominated by Hawks fans of course, but there were actually more Red Wings fans than I expected considering how the tickets were distributed. Still, I don’t mind being outnumbered as I truly enjoy jawing back and forth with opposing fans. It’s standard operating procedure for any Wings fan at a game in Chicago to be prepared to cite past and present performance when challenged with the only bit of trash talk Chicago fans seem to know: “DEE-TROIT SUCKS!” Through some trial and error, I found out on Thursday that replying with “1961” was particularly effective.

The game itself was a high-scoring contest. I wasn’t sure at the time if the unfamiliar surroundings for both goalies made it harder to see the puck but after watching my recording of the game, it just looked like both teams’ offenses came out firing on all cylinders.

All in all, it was a great time and I feel lucky to have been a part of it.

I took a bunch of pictures from inside Wrigley Field. Here are a few:

If you want to see the rest of them, they’re here.