Upon Further Review

I agree. In fact, I think the two recent outdoor games (including Edmonton) proved to be so successful that EVERY NHL team should host at least one outdoor game per year.

The game was fantastic! I was really disappointed that the CBC Online blacked out the game in the US though. I would love to see the game played every two years, all over the world. It would be wonderful to see a game on a lake in the Yukon, in Berlin, Moscow, or even on the new outdoor rink in downtown Mexico City! They even have an outdoor rink here in downtown LA! What about NY Rockefeller Center?! This is the best showcase for hockey around, because it shows the game as it is played by kids in little outdoor rinks across North America. It reminds us all of the roots of our favorite game, how we all played it at one time. They should build new hockey rinks with roofs than can open! Ha!

Generating interest in the US is one thing, but how about rewarding Canadian fans by playing home and home outdoor games between Canadian teams (Flames-Oilers, Leafs-Canadiens-Sens). McMahon and Commonwealth would be rocking for sure!

I also wanted to thank CBC for their amazing coverage. The NHL dropped the ball in many aspects, such as how they handled the ticket situation as well as the "blah" broadcasting on NBC. Too bad I was only able to DVR the NBC coverage.
As a Sabres season ticket holder, I was in awe. The experience is something I will NEVER forget. 81 home games attended since 2005 and still going strong. Let's Go Buffalo!
Oh and P.S. - the game wasn't for bragging rights to Ontario. Last time I checked the game was played in Orchard Park, NY and I didn't see any Canadian teams on the ice. Give WNY some credit Mr Sens fan and move on. Proud Sabres Nation. (which does include Canadian fans who DETEST the Leafs and Sens)

The Winter Classic was an obvious success even with poor ice conditions, nonetheless I would enjoy viewing a Winter Holiday Classic every year. The only thing that I would suggest as a trial for our ever evolving game is to play on an International size surface. Playing in a football stadium would be the perfect platform for this, and it would give the players more square footage to showcase the game.

I am a huge hockey fan and loved watching the outdoor game on new year's day. It really came across nicely on t.v. with the huge crowd and with the snow falling made a magical scene. I didn't mind the delays of fixing the ice etc. because that is expected when playing outdoors.
I am not sure if this should be held every year, maybe every other year would be better (personally I would like it every year, but practically maybe not). I liked it being on new years day, it was a nice relaxing day and being able to watch a hockey game made it even better.

As a Buffalonian I would like to thank the CBC for a job well done in broadcasting the Ice Bowl. Your coverage was exceptional in how our city was presented to Canada and parts of the US. The homage to Buffalo sports with the Talkin' Proud song had me reflecting on my youth and my two son's laughing at the hokiness of that song (that's Buffalo). The piece on the Aud was wonderful, I have followed the Sabres since their first season in 70-71 and I loved that building. It was loud, full of quirks and the view from the oranges at the top with a standing room only ticket was tremendous as you looked almost straight down onto the ice. The HSBC is a nice building with all the comforts but for a pure hockey experience viewing the game its no contest as to which building I'd go to. The sight of the French Connection skating down the ice was thrilling, I saw my first Grateful Dead concert there in '79 who knew it would lead to 200 more. The pride I felt as a North American and a Buffalonian when I watched the Sabres beat the Russians 12-6 in mid seventies. The greatest night for me was to cheer for Gil Perreault's 500th goal, the ovation would not end for our cities greatest sports figure. I guess the things must change but I've seen games at the Montreal Forum, Boston Garden and Maple Leaf Gardens and you always new with just a glance which building you were in. Now they're all made from the same cookie cutter. Anyways, thank you for such a fair and flattering portrayal of my hometown.

Not every year. Maybe, as some Hockey "Night" in Canada announcers suggested, an All-Star game next. I'm dating myself, but a half-dozen skaters with scrapers side by side (staggered like snowplows on a multi-lane highway) can clean the ice in a hurry, faster than 2 Zambonis. Thus, there are ways to reduce the build-up of snow on the ice, even during commercial breaks. However, this game shows quite nicely why we moved the game indoors! More than anything, the large crowd was based on an excuse for a big party (drunk?)!

Here in sunny California I was glued to the set for the entire pre-game and game! I wanted to watch on CBC on the Internet but it was blacked out in the U.S. (very sad) so I watched on NBC. The commentators did a good job of setting the scene and explaining throughout how the weather affected the players and the game. I'd love to see it every year. If it's a regular season game and not an exhibition it will still be intense. I think if the All-Star game is played outdoors players will beg of. Alternate between U.S. and Canadian sites, even cities w/out NHL franchises. Winnipeg in '09, anyone?

We enjoyed the game! It'd be great to see this become a New Year's Day tradition. One suggestion - have both teams wear "away" jerseys so the fans waaayyy up in those seats aren't searching for some of those white jerseys during the play.

The game was awesome! It couldn't have been any better going into a shoot out with Sid the Kid winning it for Pittsburgh. I had to get up pretty early after a great New Years, but it was worth the pain.

Being a former Nova Scotian it was neat seeing Sidney score the winner in the shootout. Certainaly had concern when he stepped up to take it. I do not think he is that good in the shootout. I was amazed that 71000 fans would sit through 4 hours to watch a hockey game in a snow storm. They and the players are to be congratulated. I think it was great. Should be held every 3 years alternating between the USA and Canada. Good healt and happy New Year to all.

While it was great to see a game be a success in the USA, lets think for a minute who actually attended? While, it's great to say 72,217 attended, how many where from southern Ontario? Ask the Buffalo Bills how many season ticket holders are from Canada..., good one Mr. Bettman, you pulled the wool right over eyes the US Sports Media! As far as creating more awareness, good job, now if you really want to help the average USA hockey fan, have NBC use CBC coverage as while I flipped between the two in HD, I wouldn't wqant to watch hockey in the USA if I had to deal with bad camera angles, and terrible play by play. Lets have the next outdoor game on natural ice, hmmmm, How about the Leafs Vs The Sens on Dow's Lake (rideau canal) in Feb. 09? Call it what you want, and we'll call it a game for all the bragging rights in Ontario! Float in the barges of stands in October, 80,000 for the Winterlude Classic in Ottawa!

GO Sens Go,

Chris
Ottawa, ON

I enjoyed the game tremendously; I admit I feared the worst, but the NHL got it right. I like the idea of doing this once every 2-4 years; both teams seemed to do the best they could given the playing conditions (but, as others have stated, this is what happens when you play outdoors. Lest we forget, in 2003 it was bitter cold; this time 'round the temperature was near perfect but was snowing most of the game. Again, the league should remember "less is more" when it comes to these games.

I went to the game and thought it was well done. Yet my final memories will be the initial view of the ice surface entering the bowl area, the Zamboni work, and Ryan Miller letting Sid the Kid score for the good of the NHL. Gary Bettman's dream realized....New star on a national stage scoring the winner in a shootout in the new NHL. Clarence campbell is turning over in his grave as I write.....

I'd say play the game every 3 years and rotate it around the league and even perhaps in Quebec city and Winnipeg.

Basically a horrible game in a true hockey sense to watch but a great "event" for all.

This event was great to watch and hopefully helped boost interest in the game south of the border. I do not think it should be held annually as it will simply become another game. Every 2 or 3 years would be better... frequent enough to satisfy fans and teams' financial woes, but not too frequent to becoming just another game on tv. Additionally, another of the apeals was that the event would come close to setting a record for attendance. The ongoing success of the event will be based on setting new, loftier goals and records which can be difficult to accomplish.

I agree that it could possibly lose its lustre if it was done every year..
I thought that the second period was great for weather/ice condiditions but having the repeated stops to repair the holes in the ice made it hard to get a good tempo going in the game.
I also couldnt believe that they switched ends in the overtime, I could see why they didnt do another scrape before the shootout in order to just get it over with.
Maybe the NHL could try having the All Star game outdoors each year! This would definitely liven up the otherwise boring event and draw more American viewers

I really enjoyed the game yesterday and would like to congratulate the players and the fans for making it a day to remember. Without the fans I don't think the game would have been as much of a success. I would like to add a comment about how often the league should hold the outdoor game. I think that once every five years would be a good idea. That way the fans and players wouldn't get tired of the event. It would also provide something for the fans and players to look forward to. So congratulations once again to all the players,fans,organizers and volunteers for making the day such a huge success.

Since the all star game is played to show the best and the celebrate the history of the game; why not make it the outdoor event. That way all the big names will be at the game, more fans can go to the allstar game if it's outside, and you can still rotate it through several cities.