Capitals to Face Canadiens at Olympic Stadium?
by J.P. on Jul 13, 2009 11:48 PM EDT
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See the picture above? That's Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
Now imagine it with a few thousand more seats, a hockey rink in the middle of the field, and Alex Ovechkin at the center of it all.
It could happen, and as early as next November. Per the Globe and Mail:
The final tinkering to the 92nd NHL regular season will be made in the next 24 hours, but a league source indicated yesterday that a Habs home game against the Washington Capitals and star sniper Alex Ovechkin “is still in the mix for late November.”
The indoor game at Olympic Stadium is expected to be contested on Nov. 28 or the previous Saturday to help commemorate the Canadiens’ centennial celebrations that will conclude on Dec. 5 with a match against the rival Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre.
Sounds exciting, no? Maybe not light-yourself-on-fire exciting (like a previous Olympic Stadium event), but exciting nonetheless.
Incidentally, the attendance record at The Big O is 78,322 for a Pink Floyd show from back in 1977. Perhaps it would be fitting, then, for Simeon Varlamov to pay homage and reprise his role as "The Wall" in Montreal around Thanksgiving.
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What a fantastic way to cap off the celebrations of the Canadiens’ 100-ish year history than to have them face their long-time rivals the Washington Capitals!
Why not save the Capitals’ outdoor appearance for a game against the Penguins?
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by DrinkingPartner on Jul 13, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
This move smacks of the NHL trying to get Ovie on TV so why not go full hog? It would be a hell of an event.
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by DrinkingPartner on Jul 13, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
The Penguins played in the first Winter Classic. Please Bettman, let all the other teams have a chance before they get another go.
by CapitalCentre on Jul 14, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
outdoor appearance?
The indoor game at Olympic Stadium
Also, I really wanted us to play at Fenway.
ZING! ZANG! ZUNG!
I get the idea of a “Winter Classic.” An outdoor game that hearkens back to hockey’s roots on the ponds of our childhoods and all that.
This, not so much. An indoor game in a bigger venue doesn’t make it better any more than holding a concert at a baseball park makes the music any better. Yeah, it’s an event. Uh.. big deal. It’s a game in a bigger version of the tomb the Islanders play in.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 14, 2009 12:05 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I think it’s part of a bigger deal – the Caps agree to play a game there and, in exchange, Montreal takes the Nationals back.
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by J.P. on Jul 14, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
wasn’t the cenntenial last year? and yeah, this isn’t too big a deal. just an indoor game in a big stadium
It’s still their centennial until January, or something.
by :hsughrofl: on Jul 14, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions
… and after last season, why WOULDN’T they want to keep those good times a-rollin’??? : p
by war_capitals on Jul 14, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s their centennial for the next 3 years.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Would this replace playing the Rangers at Yankee Stadium for the 2011 Winter Classic?
Or is that not being considered anymore?
That was my immediate reaction. In that case, just say no.
Sorry, the idea in general is cool, but it’s not the outdoor game, it’s in Canada, and it’s not going to get a fraction of the hype in the US. I’d pass.
I do need to get my passport renewed to attend this… this would be amazing, as long as it doesn’t end up like the Metallica/G-n-R event up there in the 1990s…
Let's go Caps!
darn you axl rose and your busted pipes!
by Natty Bumppo on Jul 14, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
And let’s not forget the over-aggressive flash pot that nearly killed James Hetfield.
Of course, there was this one game, back at the old arena in the 1990s when Metallica had a game the day after a Caps game… Hetfield and Co. were in attendance and he sang the National Anthem…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jul 14, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
ummmm…that is amazing. would kill for video/audio.
by Natty Bumppo on Jul 14, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok – perhaps it’s a Winter Classic consolation prize, but it’s definitely not (and won’t be taking the place of) the Caps’ Winter Classic game. They’ll be there at some point (and who knows, although all reports say BOS/PHI, maybe it will be the Caps after all – though I’m not holding my breath. I’m not a fan of baseball stadiums for hockey games anyway, tbh.
Anyway, who cares – it’s a spectacle and should be fun either way.
And as to the whole Caps/Rangers at Yankee Stadium? NBC’s going to air THAT? After all the poo-pooing NBC put forth about numbers? Not happening.
Wysh makes a good point: “If the fans’ reaction to Ovechkin at the All-Star Game last season is any indication, that’s going to be a party.”
Besides Montreal is beautiful with a couple feet of snow on the ground (not as nice as Quebec City, but still nice), they know their hockey, and it would generally be a hell of a good time.
via twitter
@TarikElBashir – Don’t buy your tickets for the rumored game at Olympic Stadium in Montreal just yet, I’m told. It’s possible, but far, far from a done deal.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
How could we buy tickets for a rumored game even if we wanted to?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
No truth to the rumor that you can get a loan from this guy:
"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."
by Bald Pollack on Jul 14, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
as did I, but I also didn’t take him literally.
If the Caps do this, I just hope it doesn’t take them out of the running for a Winter Classic. I am still irritated with NBC for forcing Philly into the situation this year over the Caps.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 14, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
funny, one of my Philly friends is pissed about being picked for this year. Apparently, she and a lot of others aren’t all that thrilled with the prospect of playing the Bruins. She’d rather see the Flyers play an old Patrick foe (ahem, the Caps), or suck it up and wait in hopes of seeing pulling the Pens and seeing “Pronger knock [things that I dare not reprint]’s head off on national TV.”
I find it odd both the Habs and Bruins are playing outdoor games, but they are not playing each other. If the Caps play a Winter Classic, I’d also rather see Caps/Flyers, or any other pairing with some sort of back story.
I don’t think a Canadian team is ever going to be a part of the Winter Classic, or rather not any time soon. Canadian viewers won’t be watching NBC, which means a Canadian team does nothing for ratings. The NHL isn’t likely to forfeit such an opportunity for the biggest spectacle of their midseason.
I find it odd both the Habs and Bruins are playing outdoor games, but they are not playing each other.
Olympic is indoor with a non-retractable roof, I believe.
read all about the roof issues here: http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2009/7/14/948612/oh-the-irony-and-danger-of-playing
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