Wings to play Hawks at Wrigley Field
It’s finally official. The Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks will play on New Year’s Day next year in their 701st meeting at the historic Wrigley Field. The game is scheduled for 1pm (EST) and will be shown at NBC.
“I’ve been there once for a baseball game a few years ago,” Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby said. “It’s a chance of a lifetime, obviously with two Original Six teams playing in a ballpark with the history that Wrigley has. It’s going to be great, but everybody is going to have their fingers crossed for good weather to allow us to play on some good ice.”
Wrigley Field, the second oldest major league ballpark (after Boston’s Fenway Park), has been home to the Chicago Cubs since 1916. Cubs great Ernie Banks dubbed the ballpark the “Friendly Confines” for its intimate setting in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.
The New Year’s game will be the fourth meeting of the 2008-09 season between the Central Division foes. The game comes two days after the two clubs play at Joe Louis Arena on Dec. 30.
“The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a staement. “We thank Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough for their vision. We thank Mike Ilitch and the Red Wings for their cooperation.”
I plan on attending my first Cubs game at Wrigley Field within the next month so I will get a feel for the ballpark before it’s transformed into an ice rink. Hopefully, I will be able to attend the Winter Classic either as a fan or an intern, but we’ll have to wait and see.
For Chicago, this is a great event. The Blackhawks will get a chance to showcase their rising team both on and off the ice. In addition, it will give the city of Chicago a chance to show the IOC how they can handle a big and unique event in their bid for the 2016 Olympics.
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4 Responses to “Wings to play Hawks at Wrigley Field”
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July 16th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Good call on the game being a chance for Chicago to show the IOC it can handle a larger than life event, even if it is a small one compared to the Olympics.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Thanks! I had just volunteered at a Chicago 2016 bid dinner so it was already kind of on my mind.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 am
Do you know when tickets will go on sale for this event? Is it going to be a special offer not available to season ticket holders? I just want to get a jump on it so I can get a ticket. Its going to be sweet and I love Wrigleyville. Great area around the park except I dont know how it is in the winter.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:18 am
I’m really looking forward to this game… and definitely considering New Years and Wings in Chicago… could make for a very fun weekend!