Winter Classic

With the weather hitting into the mid 70's today, a number I should say that has some, though limited meaning to me, it seems crazy to talk about the Winter Classic. most people in these parts say shut up. But this winter classic is a hockey game. Outside. On New Year's Day. And we're giddy up to go.

According to Business Week (a Buffalo rag), the game sold out in 30 minutes. That's 41K tickets sold in 30 minutes. And while there are reports that the NHL made tickets available to Toronto fans and Pittsburgh fans, the simple fact is that many of the people there will be like us, homers.

Yes, we got tickets. And there were many people left out in the cold (or is that the warmth?) According this article in the Globe and Mail, there are a number of people left out. But the simple fact is, the NHL needed this game to sell-out fast. If it didn't sell out, that would have been the lead. Instead, with the supposed help of Toronto Blue Jays season tickets holders, they could release this statement:

"Yesterday's sales demonstrated "once again that our fans are the most passionate in sports, more than 42,000 tickets to the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic were sold in the first 30 minutes of availability this morning," a statement from the NHL said." (from Globe and Mail)

The game sold out. Many people are going. Many people can't go. Across the board this is a win for the NHL. And Buffalo. They picked our stadium because it had to be in the US for TV, and where else could they guarantee a sell-out?

Anybody wanna babysit?