College football isn't the only game in town these days when it comes to New Year's Day must-see TV.
For the second straight year, the NHL will host the "Winter Classic," with the Detroit Red Wings taking on the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field. Hockey. Outside. In January. How can you turn away?
"It's a regular game and two points are on the line, but obviously it's more than that," Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland said in a phone interview with the Record-Eagle Tuesday. "It's an experience."
In last year's Winter Classic, Pittsburgh beat host Buffalo in a shootout. When Chicago was selected as the host of this season's game, Holland said there was a lot of interest in the organization to be a part of the event.
"There are a whole lot of reasons," Holland said. "No. 1, it promotes the NHL. This is why teams agree to open the season in Europe. It's also an opportunity to give players a chance to participate in a game that generates a lot of interest. It's an opportunity to get our brand, team and players out front."
For most of the Red Wings -- save goalie Ty Conklin, who has played in every NHL regular season outdoor game -- Thursday's game will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"It's a unique experience," Holland said. "A lot of guys will look back on this 20 years from now and say they played in an outdoors game at Wrigley Field."
Because of that, Holland said the team invited the players to bring their families to Chicago for New Year's Eve and the game. The Wings even plan to cut practice an hour short today to allow the players' wives and children to get an "open skate" on the surface at Wrigley Field.
"We want our players to have fun," Holland said. "But I'm confident that when the puck drops, we have the leadership and are experienced enough to focus for 60 minutes on the business at hand."
Experience won't be the backbone of the Blackhawks, who will suit up 15 players Thursday 25-years-old or younger. However, the recent youth movement in Chicago has worked, as the team entered Tuesday four points behind the Red Wings in the Central Division and third overall in the Western Conference.
"Chicago is built for the long-haul," Holland said. "They're having success with young kids. They were quiet for a decade, but they've picked high, drafted well and developed. We know they're for real."
That adds to the excitement of Thursday's game as two Original Six teams restore their long-standing rivalry.
"For me as a fan, fans love rivalries," Holland said. "Fans love the Red Sox and Yankees, the Avalanche and Red Wings, the Maple Leafs and Canadiens. And, Detroit and Chicago. It doesn't matter football, baseball, hockey or basketball, it's a great Midwest rivalry."
Thursday's game isn't going to decide much, as both teams will still have four games to play before even reaching the half-way point of the season. But, a win could go a long way towards building momentum for the second half.
That's especially true for Detroit, who isn't exactly back to championship form.
"It's been a struggle," Holland said of the 2008 season. "Now, when you're 23-7-5, your record is not an indicator of the struggles. We've played a lot of good hockey, but rarely have we played 60 minutes of good hockey.
"Skill level and our ability to score have been our saving grace. The one thing I like about this team is we're never really out. We have the ability to crank up the offense and attack. We're playing from behind too much, but we have the ability to fight back."
Why the struggles? Look no further than the newly-hung banner in the rafters of Joe Louis Arena.
"People talk about the Stanley Cup hangover, but to me it's an emotional hangover," Holland said. "When you win, you don't always have the emotion in the game necessary to win. And, the team you're playing has more emotion than normal, because you're the champ and it's like a playoff game."
I think it's fair to say both teams will play Thursday's showdown like a playoff game.
Congratulations, NHL. You've given sports fans a good reason to turn away from meaningless bowl games on New Year's Day.
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