2013 Winter Classic .... Red Wings vs Maple Leafs

**Downriviera** · January-16-12, 10:02 AM

Its not just the game. There is a week of activities that happen before the game. It would be great for Detroit. They could tie in the Winter Blast with the game.

**Bham1982** · January-16-12, 10:37 AM

I'm definitely against the game being played in Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor isn't Metro Detroit [[at least not the traditional definition), there is no natural allegience between the UofM community and the Red Wings, Michigan Stadium has far worse sightlines than Comerica, and there would be no economic benefit for Detroit.

**Downriviera** · January-16-12, 11:02 AM

I'm looking forward to the Legends game. Osgood will lead the Wings old timers to victory, and Ozzie fans everywhere will use this as another reason he should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Occurrence · January-16-12, 11:06 AM

I'm glad the game is in Ann Arbor. Comerica Park sucks. It's hard enough to watch baseball there because you are so far away from the action. I couldn't imagine being stuck in the upper deck and trying to see a puck.

Maybe they can open up that dumb Ferris wheel for a week to make Illitch some more money. Those Illitch owned parking lots around the Cliff Bells area that police are forcing people to now pay to park in probably aren't bringing in enough revenue for him.

**Bham1982** · January-16-12, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Occurrence

I'm glad the game is in Ann Arbor. Comerica Park sucks. It's hard enough to watch baseball there because you are so far away from the action. I couldn't imagine being stuck in the upper deck and trying to see a puck.

The average seat at Michigan Stadium would be much more distant from the action than at Comerica. There's no comparison whatsoever.

**Gistok** · February-09-12, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

The average seat at Michigan Stadium would be much more distant from the action than at Comerica. There's no comparison whatsoever.

I guess the concept of UofM having the largest stadium in the USA is lost on him....

**TKshreve** · January-16-12, 11:23 AM

Michigan Stadium has far worse sightlines than Comerica, and there would be no economic benefit for Detroit.

Well, yes and no. While the Big House does have far more bad vantage points, they also destroy CoPa in the amount of good vantage points. By a Mile.

Let's not forget that the Big House also has experience with outdoor hockey games as well. Remember the Big Chill?

Yeah, it was cool. It was also cold. I thought we had excellent seats in the 17th row [[or so), however at the Big House the lower bowl has a very low grade. The people around the glass blocked out any chance of a view. I believe CoPa has a very low grade in their lower bowl as well.

So be warned, get your seats up high. And bring a blanket.

**Atticus** · January-16-12, 11:36 AM

I also wonder from a butt in seats perspective if you will be able to sell 117k seats for this. Don't get me wrong, I understand how big the Red Wings and Leafs followings are... but many wings fans are also big time MSU and UM sports fans as well.

With that being said, there is likely to be a significant contingent of MSU & UM fans who would otherwise go to the Winter Classic who will be instead at or watching their respective teams' bowl game, likely being played that same day. I just wonder if there are enough sports fans to go around, and if not... will it be a game where it becomes 2/3 Leafs fans since they probably have no college football interest.

**j to the jeremy** · January-16-12, 12:10 PM

This should be a great event. Most Red Wings fans downriver would drive to A2, and I'm sure the NHL wouldn't let this happen without appeasing the Toronto and Detroit front offices. Ilitch would have to be down with an A2 game.

They will set a new attendance record for an outdoor hockey game, which is currently held by the Big Chill event [[college hockey) in Ann Arbor. Im sure Gary Bettman was butt hurt about this.

Ann Arbor is a huge hockey town, there are currently 11 NHL draftees on the Wolverines hockey team. The USA U-18 national team is also headquartered in Ann Arbor. Growing up there, all my friends were hockey fans, it's easily the second sport in town after U of M football. I don't think many in A2 who watch hockey arent big Red Wings fans. And Michigan Stadium is within walking distance of a bar district and within driving distance of pretty much every restaurant in Ann Arbor.

Interesting side note- the U of M hockey team just played their 4th outdoor game last night in Cleveland.[[Also played games in Madison, Lansing, and Ann Arbor) The Red Wings have played 1.

As for the downtown Detroit angle, someone suggested to me that the GLI would be held at CoPa next year anyways. Anyone know if this is true?

**401don** · January-16-12, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Atticus

I also wonder from a butt in seats perspective if you will be able to sell 117k seats for this. Don't get me wrong, I understand how big the Red Wings and Leafs followings are... but many wings fans are also big time MSU and UM sports fans as well.

With that being said, there is likely to be a significant contingent of MSU & UM fans who would otherwise go to the Winter Classic who will be instead at or watching their respective teams' bowl game, likely being played that same day. I just wonder if there are enough sports fans to go around, and if not... will it be a game where it becomes 2/3 Leafs fans since they probably have no college football interest.

Keep in mind only 6 of the approximately 30 bowl games involving Division 1 schools are played on New Year's Day.

**stinkytofu** · January-16-12, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Keep in mind only 6 of the approximately 30 bowl games involving Division 1 schools are played on New Year's Day.

Yeah, but the Big Ten has five bowl games on New Year's Day itself and I think it's fair to say that both MSU and UM expect to be playing in January 1 bowl games next year. When MSU and UM play is really all that matters...and probably even moreso UM given that the NHL would probably hope Ann Arbor residents scoop up some tix.