2008 NHL Winter Classic

The AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic was an outdoor ice hockey game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins, which was held on January 1, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York as part of the NHL season 2007/ 08. It was the second outdoor game in the history of the National Hockey League after the Heritage Classic, which was played in 2003 between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens in Edmonton. The orientation of the lot had been confirmed by the league for the NHL on September 17, 2007. The match was the first official outdoor play of the NHL on U.S. soil. As a sponsor of the NHL officials could commit PepsiCo, which had the event with their product "AMP Energy" namesake.

For tickets and viewers

One day after the announcement of the pre-sale was opened, which was terminated after 30 minutes, when the 41,000 available tickets were sold. The remaining cards were held back for season ticket holders of the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills, the NHL, as well as for players of the two teams. One day before the game, after all construction activities were completed in the stadium, the NHL a few tickets were once again on the free market.

Overall, a new NHL record was set with 71 217 spectators, which since the Heritage Classic, which was held at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, existing record of 57 167 spectators, was significantly outbid.

Rule Changes

Due to the discharge in the open air NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was in advance of the game to some minor rule changes so that the equality was given in adverse conditions for both teams.

Due to the expected wind, the rules were changed so that the teams after the first half of the final third once again changed sides, so that each team played one of the two gates every 30 minutes. In the five-minute overtime due to a balanced score after 60 minutes, both teams exchanged after two minutes once the pages. In the shootout, which occurs in a draw after overtime, the two goalkeepers were able to select the defensible gate itself.

Reporting

The game was broadcast in the United States on NBC on TV. In Canada, CBC and RDS held the broadcasting rights. In addition, the game on the NHL 's own and paid NHL Center Ice Online was receivable. For reporting via Westwood One radio was responsible in the United States and in Canada. Worldwide the game on XM Satellite Radio could be heard.

On the eve of the game for several hours special was broadcast that showed the teams during training on the ice.

Sporty starting position

The Pittsburgh Penguins had already contested 38 of the 82 season games before the game. With 20 wins, 16 losses and two overtime defeats, they totaled 42 points in fourth place in the Atlantic Division, but only three points behind the New Jersey Devils, who were in first place. The Buffalo Sabres were in the Northeast Division with 40 points from 37 games also in fourth place, but already 14 points behind the Ottawa Senators. They pointed to a victory less than Pittsburgh on the identical record. In the course of the season the teams had previously met each other once, thereby Pittsburgh defeated Buffalo 29 December 2007 2-0. In the standings in the Eastern Conference Pittsburgh finished seventh and tenth place Buffalo.

Four players had experience with official games in the open air. Georges Laraque and Ty Conklin keeper of the Pittsburgh Penguins were the 2003 Heritage Classic for the Edmonton Oilers on the ice. In addition, Buffalo goalkeeper Ryan Miller and Pittsburgh's Adam Hall played during their time at Michigan State University in 2001 as part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association season at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing against the state rival University of Michigan. It was set up with 74 554 spectators a world record.

Game History

The game, which was played on a pre-established Ice Hockey Rink on the actual playing field of Ralph Wilson Stadium, starting at 13:20 clock local time, at a temperature of -1 ° C, light north wind and snow with both teams in the old jersey designs from the 1970s and 1980s flooding. The home team, the Buffalo Sabres wore their traditional white uniform with the old dark blue logo, which shows an attacking buffalo on two crossed sabers. In this they had accumulated in the seasons between 1978/79 and 1995/96. The away team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing in their light blue jerseys, with whom she had competed between 1968/69 and 1972/73 in the league. It was the first time since 1980 that the Penguins wore these jerseys. The two goalkeeper Ryan Miller and Ty Conklin joined this retro look and helped tonal masks and saver.

Already after 21 seconds in the beginning third of the Pittsburgh Penguins went through Colby Armstrong in the lead, who could overcome after a pass from Sidney Crosby Buffalo goalkeeper Ryan Miller. Buffalo was difficult in the sequence into the game and weakened itself by several penalties that resulted in powerplay situations for the Penguins. However, Pittsburgh was the nearly five minute power play in the first round not take advantage of to increase the score. Because of the snowfall it was always returned during the first third interruptions, so the ice could be cleared of snow. The poor chance conversion Pittsburgh retaliated after 1:25 minutes in the second period as a defender Brian Campbell after a pass from Tim Connolly leveled the game. In the meantime, it had stopped snowing and the teams more cautious stance than in the first third. In the third and last third, which was interrupted by the page break after ten minutes played by a long pause as the ice was cleared of snow that had started again, both teams equalized as far as possible and limited to a very physical game. It was not until about five minutes before the end of normal time increased the Pittsburgh Penguins significantly the pressure on Buffalo's defense that had thereby survive some dangerous situations, but even shortly before the end likewise assigned a good scoring opportunities. Through the balanced score after 60 minutes was followed by a five-minute overtime, the Penguins had to due to a punishment they had received at the end of the final third, deny outnumbered the first two minutes. Despite good opportunities for Buffalo Pittsburgh survived the two minutes and took refuge in the shootout. Like the first penalty turned Buffalos Aleš Kotalík. After Erik Christensen fired on the part of Pittsburgh and Tim Connolly on the part of Buffalo, Kristopher Letang made ​​up for the game. The last Sabres Maxim Afinogenov contactors Ty Conklin could not overcome, thereby Sidney Crosby last attempt for Pittsburgh finally import the victory for his team.

Effects

After the success of the NHL Winter Classic 2008 announced the leaders of the league, in the 2008 /09 Winter Classic to want to organize under the open sky. The game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings on January 1, 2009 at the 41 118 -seat Wrigley Field in Chicago discharged.