January 1, 2009 - The Winter Classic
Today, I experienced one of the most amazing things ever. I will never forget the day I was at Wrigley Field for six hours, in freezing temperatures to sit and watch a hockey game between the Blackhawks and the Red Wings. Unfortunately, pictures cannot show how much fun and exciting it was. It does show how many people were there, and the build up for the game though. With three pairs of pants, shorts, four shirts, a jacket, a hat, three pairs of socks (red, black and white), a hat, scarf, gloves, my Winter Classic jersey over it all and the excitement of the game, I couldn't feel the coldness that day, but I could see it as my glasses were quick to fog up.
I was not alone in taking lots of pictures. This day I took over 400 pictures, and
have given you access to 130 of them, so please be patient in waiting for all of
them to load.
We're on a mission from God.
Lots of people also took the train
Those gift stands were packed even early on
People wanted merchandise
They wouldn't let us in early
People went crazy for the red sign
Some one was blocking traffic.
How'd they get the stick there?
Free Hand warmers and chapstick
Really cool seeing them sculpt.
No one really cared about the band.
I see this truck outside the UC
They started letting people in
Even Cubs stores had Winter Classic
Indoors was still really cold
My first view of the rink
They put fake brick wallpaper around the rink
Prep for when the players come out
Equipment and Cameras were all over the field inside Wrigley
Couldn't tell what the stunt cards were
Others checking out Wrigley
People underestimated how cold it was
Directly behind home plate
The view from the top of the 200 Level
Not sure what purpose those logos are for
Lots of information about the teams.
The people outside the stadium
Those flags I saw yesterday
Down low + far away = bad view
The ivy isn't that impressive this time of year.
I guess the lights are always on.
The Chicago Legends were right above me.
Savvy and Bobby. Bobby was hammered.
I started Booing at this point.
Jackass didn't know how to take a picture.
Lots of players who weren't playing did skate.
Hawks did their normal warmups
JT Always takes the pucks out of the net
Players were amazed as much as the fans
They also were probably just as cold
By this time the place was packed
Everyone was really excited
I really like the jerseys.
I've got a hat just like the hawk players
It was made for TV, but I had a great view
I met a lot of new people at the game
Also saw some old friends
I wonder how that person got to work at the WC.
So much time here, and they haven't even started.
Players getting off the ice.
The last few hawks coming off.
Players put on skate gaurds as they walked off.
They were only Cubs and Blackhawks
How come no Bears, White Sox, Bulls...
Ice Surfaced looked ok, not great
I was in section 206, not 208.
This ceremony took too long
By this point everyone was on their feet.
With giant flame throwers
The anouncers were taking those blue stands by the ice
Look for the Video of the US Anthem.
Mikita, Esposito, and Billy Williams (Cubs) cerimonial puck drop
JT And Lidstrom take the faceoff.
Just drop the puck already!
Seabrook checked Cleary over the boards
Players coming off the ice
Fans were on their feet for the entire 1st period.
Intermission Shows Sucked
Only time a Chicago team is ever in the lead at Wrigley ;)
I get to see the hawks offense this time!
Wings control the game from here on
Physical first, the rest not so much
Hawks didn't know they had to shake hands
Non-Cub regulars were lost when leaving.
Took me over a half hour to get on the train