As NHL fans prepare for the 2016 Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens, it seems like a good day to reflect back on the 2008 Winter Classic featuring the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.
It’s hard to believe that was nearly eight years ago — but here we are. I’m going to share my memories of the experience/game, and I’d love to hear yours in the comments – whether you watched it live, on TV or in any other way. What’s your favorite memory about that fateful day?
Sure, the Buffalo Sabres lost, but that was pretty much the only part of that day that wasn’t great. (And of course it had to be Crosby tallying the shootout winner — it’s as if the NHL couldn’t have scripted it any better!)
I was lucky enough to get tickets to the Winter Classic through a family friend, who had season tickets and gave the pair to us for the game. I just recall being so excited to have that opportunity. It was such a unique experience at the time – before Winter Classics became a regular, yearly thing – and either way, I knew it was going to be special.
I remember parking at someone’s house near the stadium and walking into the parking lots outside the Ralph and seeing… well, everything. From music blaring through speakers, to a WGR550 truck, to merchandise stands with lengthy lines of eager fans attached. It was like – we hadn’t even gotten really into the stadium, but the atmosphere was already awesome.
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I remember being fascinated by the entire setup indoors. The Ralph made a good venue – in my personal opinion, I think football stadiums tend to be better venues for the Winter Classic than baseball diamonds, due largely to the shape of the field being more compatible with a rink.
My seats for that 2008 Winter Classic were in section 235, close to the press box at Ralph Wilson Stadium and near an indoor section of stadium with higher-level food stands and – most importantly – warmth, just a few steps away. I was bundled down with a few sweatshirts, a jersey and a blanket, and as I recall it, the temperature was pretty perfect.
I vaguely recall the in-air theatrics before the game, with helicopters flying above, fireworks and the like. But what I remember the most was the magical moment when the teams hit the ice for the game itself, and it was like Mother Nature snapped her fingers and a light snow began to fall.
We really were all in a giant, open-air snow globe. It was picturesque and you absolutely couldn’t ask for a better atmosphere. The snow did get a little heavier and windy as the game went on, but overall, things went well.
Another thing I recall: the constant scraping of the ice, especially expected with the snow falling down. It stilted the game’s action a little, halted maybe a little momentum here and there, but overall, was a necessary pain. According to a post I wrote way back then, they brought out the Zambonis halfway through each period to do a dry scrape. I can’t recall that, but I wrote it at the time, so – it must be true.
I remember being disappointed at the end result of the game (but what Sabres fan wasn’t?), but overall, it didn’t ruin the experience. It was what I saw at that time as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m incredibly glad and lucky that I got to be there.
For what it’s worth, there are no Buffalo Sabres players remaining from the team that skated in the 2008 Winter Classic. Only three Pittsburgh Penguins players from that team – Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang – remain with the Pens today.
Share your memories of the 2008 Winter Classic with us, and your thoughts on the Winter Classic overall? Is it becoming played out? If the Sabres are in another, would you try to get tickets? And on a related note, what are your thoughts on the potential outdoor game for the World Juniors when they return to Buffalo in a few years?