One-Timer

Who Said Buffalo Was A Boring Town?
Saturday, August 25, 2007

Ray Emery did, but that's not the point. According to reports, the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins will kick off 2008 in style by playing an outdoor game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, on Jan. 1. Several NHL sources have confirmed the news, although the league won't officially announce the game until Sept. 10. NBC is set to broadcast the contest between the two high octane teams, as long as Dick Clark's New Year's Eve show doesn't run long.

The outdoor "Heritage Classic" (the NHL is in the business of building meaningless brands) , pitting the Oilers against the Habs in 2003, attracted over 52,000 people to Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, despite freezing temperatures and the distinct possibility of ending up like Jack Torrance in "The Shining." Things worked out for the better and the Canadiens even sold a boatload of toques thanks to Jose Theodore.

The league is tentatively calling the game the "Ice Bowl" this time and banking on people showing up to Buffalo's 72,000 seat stadium. The Bills aren't likely to book the place for the playoffs anyways.

Labels: Buffalo Sabres, Ice Bowl, Pittsburgh Penguins