NHL | Winter Classic: Ice, glare pose problems in Wrigley
Jan 1, 2009 at 12:01 AM Jan 1, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Chris Chelios raced up and down the ice yesterday, and when he had a chance to peek up and check out his surroundings, he had trouble believing his eyes.
"To look out and see the rooftops and bleachers while being on an ice surface was the craziest thing in the world, especially at Wrigley Field," said Chelios, a defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings and a Chicago native.
Chelios estimated that, as a baseball fan, he has seen more than 200 games in Wrigley over the years. He even lugged the Stanley Cup to the ballpark in August to share it with fans.
Today, he'll be part of the second regular-season outdoor NHL game in the United States when Chelios' current and former teams meet in the Winter Classic.
Chelios spent nine seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and is now in his 10th with the Red Wings. At age 46, his ice time has been limited this season -- partly because of injury -- but he'll be active for the game today.
"Growing up in Chicago makes it even that more special," he said
Both teams got a feel for the ice yesterday. Their hope: It will be in better shape by the 1 p.m. faceoff.
"The ice, let's give it a day," said Chicago's Brian Campbell, who played last season in the first Winter Classic in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Said Chelios: "It's an issue, but there is nothing you can do about that. It's so cold out there, it's chipping away. You worry about the safety of the players. Whatever happens to both teams, hopefully it's not a hazard as far as injuries."
Many players wore black tape under their eyes to cut the glare -- like baseball players -- on a sunny day. And with one end brighter than the other, it could create a real challenge for the goaltenders looking for the puck.
Campbell even used a baseball analogy, saying it's like a hitter trying to pick up a ball that comes out of the sun into the shadows.
But if the forecast holds up -- temperatures warming to the low to mid-30s but with overcast skies -- glare shouldn't be a factor.
Campbell, who scored the Buffalo Sabres' lone goal last season in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins last year, said most of the questions he has gotten from his new teammates have been about clothing.
"We've got a bunch of stuff for the players to wear. We've got the high-tech long johns that cling to your body," Blackhawks trainer Mike Gapski said. "The benches will have blown-in heat, so we'll be more comfortable than the spectators."
Chicago's Duncan Keith played for Michigan State in 2001 when it met Michigan before 74,554 fans outdoors in Spartan Stadium.
"You have to warm your muscles up. It's going to be cold," Keith said. "A lot of it is just mental. You've got to be prepared."
Detroit goalie Ty Conklin will be playing in his third outdoor NHL game. He was in goal for Edmonton when the Oilers played host to the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 Heritage Classic outdoors, and he started for Pittsburgh last year.
"I don't have any advice," Conklin said. "Everyone has their own way to prepare. ... Once it starts, it turns into a hockey game."
And it could be a fierce one between the two old rivals.
Chicago's Patrick Kane, last season's NHL Rookie of the Year, missed yesterday's team practice because of a sore right leg -- the result of a hard check from Detroit's Dan Cleary on Tuesday night.
The Red Wings' 4-0 victory in Detroit was a testy one, with pushing and shoving all game. The teams, who already have met three times this season -- the Red Wings have won all three -- are one-two in the Central Division standings.
"It will be like a playoff game," Campbell said. "I think the guys are revved up for it and want to show what they can do on national TV."
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Kane will play.
"I'm going to do my best to treat it as much as I can today," Kane said. "(Tuesday night) I was just kind of ahead and (my) skate got caught in the ice. Unfortunate play. Clean hit with that. Nothing you can do about it."
Cleary agreed that his hit was a clean one.
"I think I just caught him off guard," he said. "I don't know if he was expecting it. I certainly didn't think it was a dirty hit. At least I hope no one thinks that."
Late game � Last night's game between the Blue Jackets and Ducks was not finished at press time. For complete coverage, go to BlueJacketsXtra.com