The Frozen Limelight

by Ryan

For any of you that still don't think something special is going to happen on new years day, check the Sabres Website. I'm not a biggest fan of their web design, but that intro sure does get my blood pumping. Who knew a snow globe could get me excited for hockey?

That's right, folks. The Winter Classic is happening. Today the Sabres announced the biggest game in Buffalo sports history, and everyone is invited. Well, as many people that can fill the Ralph.

The official press release is here, and while I am a bit disappointed they already sold advertising rights to the whole shebang, my honest reaction was: Holy God it's actually happening.

Regardless of the price, I'm going to be there. This is the perfect storm for the NHL: a city that has become hockey crazy hosting a team with the best player in hockey. Outside. On a national scale. Sid the Kid against the Sabres is one of the most intriguing match ups in the game, and we just ripped the roof off of it.

The Heritage Classic was an amazing experience, one that I will never forget watching on TV. But that took place in Canada, and I watched on Canadian television. Say what you will about Bowl games on New Year's Day, but I'd venture a guess that a lot of people will at least glance at NBC on January 1st to see how that outdoor hockey game turns out. That's more than you can say for most NHL games.

Get ready, Buffalo, for the first time since the Pan-Am Expo, Buffalo is the place to be on New Year's Day.

Ice Bowl-O A-Go-Go

By Chris

Well, it's technically almost official. According to "various NHL sources," The Buffalo News is reporting that the Ice Bowl between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins will be played on January 1 outdoors at Ralph Wilson Stadium on NBC. Still no word on how tickets will be distributed or how much of my paycheck will be going towards them.


An official official statement is supposed to come down from Sabres brass on September 10 and if that doesn't get you pumped for the new hockey season, NHL 08 will be released the next day. My toes are starting to get frostbite just thinking about it. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the game will include an unlockable outdoor rink.

New Year's Celebration

By Chris

NBC is planning on throwing a New Year's Day Party outside this year. They're calling it The Ice Bowl, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are coming. But it's still up in the air as to whether Buffalo or Detroit will be hosting.

Potentially, it could be the biggest game in Buffalo Sabres history--both in crowd size and in the magnitude of media attention. I have no doubt that the game would sell out, possibly even minutes after tickets to the general public go on sale.

After the events of last week, if there's anything to look forward to during the 07-08 season, this would be it. Anyone who watched the Heritage Classic in Edmonton a few years ago knows that it was something special to see. A big time game outside in the cold. It's perfect.

And if it snows? All the better.

Link to the story.