Leeching off the success, pardon me, capitalizing on the success of the Winter Classic the WHL is giving it a go. If you get the Chiefs emails you probably saw something about an announcement to make an announcement. Only to have a correction to the announcement to make an announcement sent like a half hour later. Oh and if you want to be at the announcement and had nothing to do when its boiling balls out, well I guess you could have stood outside the roasting Avista stadium to hear this which can be enjoyed with air conditioning:
The Spokane Chiefs will become the second Western Hockey League team to announce an outdoor game for the 2010-11 season but it will be the first outdoor game for the league.
The Chiefs are scheduled to play the Kootenay Ice at Avista Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 at 1 p.m.
They will make it official at a press conference at Avista on Wednesday afternoon.
Earlier this month the Calgary Hitman announced they would play Regina at McMahon Stadium on Feb. 21. That game is part of the National Hockey League outdoor game, which features Montreal playing the Flames the day before. Much of the cost of the WHL game will be absorbed by the NHL.
Outdoor games have become a regular occurrence in the NHL since Montreal played at Edmonton in November, 2003, drawing more than 57,000 fans to Commonwealth Stadium.
So help me god if this has all the madness that NBC puts on for the Winter Classic where hungover people (remember, the game is New Year’s Day) are screaming at the television for Pierre McGuire to shut up and they can’t believe they’ve been waiting two plus hours to watch the most boring and longest hockey game ever. I’ve never understood why these games have to be in a baseball stadiums, which are designed for those watching to space out and drink margaritas in the hot sun. The angles are all wrong. The NHL should have done it right the first time and put the game in a football stadium.
Anyone want to guess how overpriced the the commemorative merchandise will be? I guess 30 for a t-shirt and 48 for a hoodie. Naw, let’s make it an even 50.
Um, the NHL did do it right the first time and had it in a football stadium – Sabres/Pens was played at Ralph Wilson in Buffalo. And they are headed back to one this year in Pittsburgh for Caps/Pens.
But you are right, the merch was insane but worse than you think. If I recall, a hoodie was $75 …
By: Scotty Hockey on August 17, 2010
at 10:31 pm
Why have the bobbled back and forth then? Does it have to do with bidding?
By: wrap around curl on August 17, 2010
at 10:33 pm
Who smells a decked out, commemorative bobblehead of Tyler Johnson wrapped in a Chiefs scarf (SCARRFFF TIMMEEE!!!) plunked in a miniature version of Avista Stadium?
I hope they make Recycle Man work this game… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSHVPV9HJuE
By: Rhaen on August 18, 2010
at 9:01 am
I’m excited about this, mostly because it shouldn’t be like an NHL winter classic with Pierre McGuire….but I wouldn’t be surprised if somehow it ends up similar. They should have done it at Joe Albi though, much better venue I think.
By: SinBinRegular on August 18, 2010
at 10:11 am
Joe Albi would have been awesome. I think the views would have been better and tons more people could have attended. But they can’t really do assigned seating there.
By: wrap around curl on August 18, 2010
at 10:23 am
I can only imagine the maheim if they tried to be seating specific. Even the bench area at Avista is sketchy with the numbers; you usually end up with someone who doesn’t comprehend personal space being all too free to cuddle….yuuuccck.
By: SinBinRegular on August 18, 2010
at 6:41 pm
Pop culture naif here — who’s that rolling her eyes? Thanks.
Oh, as for the game: I’d love to come to it, but I wound up choosing Western Washington instead of Eastern Washington. I hope everyone has a better time than you’re expecting.
By: Oarboar on August 18, 2010
at 8:22 pm
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon on 30 Rock.
I’m just really worried about the logistics of it being in Avista Stadium. I think more of us would be more confident if it was at Joel Albi Stadium. I think the viewing angles would be better. Plus I think it seats more.
By: wrap around curl on August 18, 2010
at 9:20 pm
Dammit. I really should at least recognize Tina Fey. It’s been a long day. I can see where you’d rather have it at Joe Albi, though.
By: Oarboar on August 18, 2010
at 9:40 pm