Winter Classic Cancelled

By Andrew Miller

As of Friday, the NHL has cancelled the 2013 Bridgestone Winter Classic. An annual outdoor game played traditionally on New Years Day, the game has turned into the highlight of the NHL season besides the playoffs.

(AP Photo)

This year, the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs were scheduled to play in “The Big House” in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Because of the various preparations that need to be made prior to the game being played, the Winter Classic had to be cancelled due to the lack of progress in negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement.

Cancelling the Winter Classic brings along many additional losses besides losing the hockey game itself. The league had to cancel the Winter Festival events that were to be held at Comerica Park in Detroit, which was supposed to hold a second outdoor rink. There all levels from kids to college to minor leaguers would play hockey games in the two week event.

HBO’s signature series 24/7 is also slated as a loser of the cancellation. Since the 2011 Winter Classic the show went behind the scenes for four weeks leading up the game. Well known for the incredible images as well as colorful sounds bites, HBO’s 24/7 became one of the great parts of the Winter Classic that will be greatly missed.

It’s hard to imagine not seeing the thrilling game of the year played where hockey began, outside. From the freezing temperatures to the throw back jerseys, everything about the game brought a smile to those who are not even regular fans. Only one game out of the five previous Winter Classics was not decided by one goal. The signature moment happened during the first Winter Classic when the Sabres and Penguins fought through the snow to end the game in a shootout. Unfortunately, hockey fans will have to wait until next year to witness another magical chapter of the Winter Classic.