The Classic Lives On...For Now
Today was supposed to be D-day for the Winter Classic at the big house, but it lives on, for now.
The NHL will not cancel the Winter Classic on Friday and is not expected to do so before Nov. 15.
But exactly when the league, which has locked out the players, will call off the annual outdoor game is the subject of some conjecture, even among those who have spoken to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly. Some sources say Bettman believes Nov. 15 is the last possible day to make a decision because of the preparations involved for the game, between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings and planned for Jan. 1 at the University of Michigan’s 115,000-seat stadium.
As others have said, Gary can take my October hockey away and I'll be pissed. But if Gary takes the Classic away from us, I'm simply done.
I'm not going to say canceling the Winter Classic will be my last straw, as I've assumed from the get go that we were going to lose the season and WC, but everyday I'm thinking about abandoning the game more and more. I simply can't invest anymore time, energy, and money into a league that can so easily turn its back on the fans and players who make everything possible.
Hope you're right, but the TSN guys are still saying they think it'll be cancelled today. I'm with you on the fact that if this is cancelled, that's the last straw.
