Archives for January 2008

'“We learned that after the first 10 minutes, I think you saw we changed our game a little where you just have to pound it out. It’s not going to go all the way down the ice,” defenseman Nathan Paestch said. “We said that after the first period, you have to eliminate D-to-D passes because you just don’t what’s going to happen with it and you … [Read more...] about Pens get early start in Classic

'“I think the fans did a great job,” Miller added. “I took time to look around. I wanted to take in the whole experience. They were either standing up or dancing. It was a pretty cool experience. I loved the fact all the fans were standing up and getting into it. It was a cool experience because everyone was into it. It was a party atmosphere. That’s … [Read more...] about Historic day in Buffalo

'The atmosphere was like nothing I have ever been a part of. Basically, it was ice hockey with a football-ish feel to it.' … [Read more...] about Winter Classic a memorable experience

'"Conditions were tough out there," Campbell said. "You had to change your game a lot. ... Both teams did a pretty good job adapting to it. It was interesting at times."' … [Read more...] about Out-and-out success

'"Right now, (we will) sort of bask in the glow of this incredible experience," said Larry Quinn, Sabres managing partner. "Tomorrow (is) another day and we'll figure out where we are."' … [Read more...] about This was Classic moment for NHL

'"Ty was great for us. He's a great guy," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "I'm happy for him. I'm not happy what he did to us the last couple games. ... He had added incentive; let's not kid ourselves."' … [Read more...] about NHL briefs

'The fans, some loaded up with beer and nachos, were in the mood for fun. Every ooh and aah, even for an insignificant play, was amplified given the size of the crowd. Yet the feel in the stadium was surprisingly intimate and the play was easy to follow from the nosebleeds.' … [Read more...] about Crosby puts on a show in the snow for record crowd

'Some quirky rules were in place in a worst-case scenario: If weather interfered, the game would have been official after 40 minutes. If the game was tied, but a shootout couldn't be held due to weather, the shootout would have been held Feb.17, prior to the teams' next meeting. Had the teams not been able to get in 40 minutes, the game would have been played tonight at Ralph … [Read more...] about Return to roots good for game, Ruff says

'It worked out perfectly for the NHL - as that last goal was scored by its brightest young star in front of its biggest crowd ever and an international television audience.' … [Read more...] about On frozen pond

'In that respect, the CBC and NBC did fine jobs of bringing the enormousness of the spectacle into our homes.' … [Read more...] about Low-quality hockey, high-quality television

'But it was a barrel of fun, too, and the NHL could always use more of that.' … [Read more...] about A Crosby Classic

'Mair laid on the lick of the game with a first-period open-ice joust of Brooks Orpik that turned the Pittsburgh defender 180 degrees on to his shoulder. "I couldn't really hear the crowd after that," Mair said. That hit got Sabre fans back into the game, and more than 71,000 fans in a full-throated roar is something pro hockey has never heard, a neanderthal bellow from people … [Read more...] about It’s a love-in… brr, outdoors!

Penguins fans revel in outdoor triumph (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Photo gallery (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Outdoor game doesn't cool off Penguins (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Pens' Conklin conquers Sabres again (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Winter Classic creates football-like atmosphere (Beaver County Times) Players, rules forced to adjust for outdoor game (Beaver County … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Coverage

'Fans began arriving in the Ralph parking lots at 8 a.m., some 5 1/2 hours prior to the opening faceoff. They brought footballs, of course, because this is Bills country. And they brought all manner of hockey nets, turning the many surrounding lots into street hockey sheets. The constant sound of "Game On" filled the hockey 'hood.' … [Read more...] about A thrilling snowball effect

'"Each team deserved it," said Pittsburgh coach Michel Therrien. "It could have gone both ways. We ended up scoring the extra goal in the shootout, but it was a fun game to be part of, without a doubt."' … [Read more...] about Outside heroics