So, I started to read the story, headlined by the news that Fenway Park in Boston would host the 2010 Winter Classic.  My immediate first thought was that the Bruins would be playing the Canadiens in that game.  I was mildly surprised when Philly was the opponent.  And then I read the comments...

I like the concept of the Winter Classic.  The first one, in Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium, was not only a sensational game, but seeing a football stadium packed with 72,000 people to watch a hockey game was pretty cool, too.  And the snow - that may have made the event.  For anyone who played hockey as a kid, playing hockey in the snow has got to provide the same kind of thrill that playing football in a driving rain did for me!  It was just more fun.  Not exactly prime weather, but fun.  I think. 

Anyway, the NHL has a good thing going.  There were some sour grapes about how NBC dictated that Philly was the opponent rather than Washington (at least according to the comments) which in reality makes absolutely no sense to me.  Why wouldn't NBC want the Washington Capitals, with Alexander Ovechkin & Co, on national television?  Philly is a better television draw than Washington?  Really?  Anyway, the Bruins and Flyers game will be a very good one because both teams are expecting to have great seasons.  It will be a highlight game, and one worth watching.

I agree with some commentators that sometimes the NHL does things that are beyond dumb.  No league goes quite so far to shoot itself in the foot than the NHL.  However, they occasionally pull out a brilliant decision, and the Winter Classic is turning into a brilliant decision.  I'd rather watch hockey than some second-tier bowl game between two teams I know nothing about and from conferences I ignore any time. 

I did wonder why the Habs weren't the opposition.  The blood fued between Boston and Montreal goes back an awfully long way, and the teams have knocked each other out of the playoffs in successive years now.  Nothing fuels hatred and rivalry as beating the other team when it matters most.  Now, what boils down to a one-game exhibition doesn't matter a whole lot in the grand scheme of a long season, but it would have been awfully special to pit the Habs and Bruins in this game.  Maybe NBC wanted a US v US game to keep their viewership happy, but the one thing about most NHL fans is that they understand the intensity that Canada feels regarding their six teams.  NHL fans would have "gotten it" with a game between Boston and Montreal.  So while I'm a little saddened that Montreal wasn't tabbed for this game, it's not like I'm going to complain that much.  I will enjoy Boston and Philly playing in Fenway.  I think it'll be fun!