Yesterday there was sobering hockey controversy. It wasn't at the WJC, where Sweden dispatched Canada (recaps here), it was at the Winter Classic, where two leagues met and few people knew. Reaction to the game was varied. Some people thought it was fine and served its purpose; some had critiques about how it was managed. Here are a few different takes on the issue:
The amount of people interested in women's hockey I saw today was exactly what I expected - enormous. The game is growing.
— Kate Cimini (@k_cimini) January 1, 2016 "The @NHL has pledged to throw it's social media machine behind the game..." - @wyshynski. The "machine" produced 0 tweets in the last 6 hrs
— Bower Power (@So_Truculent) December 31, 2015 even the nhl's snapchat went silent during the whole women's game this whole thing was a joke
— Britta (@brittaml16) December 31, 2015 @cupofchowdah hoping next year will be three full periods of hockey, with stopped time, and a normal warmup.
— Hilary Knight (@Hilary_Knight) December 31, 2015 Two of the biggest women's hockey teams played in a stadium that was fully equipped with HD cameras, and still couldn't get on TV. Travesty.
— Greg Balloch (@GregBalloch) January 1, 2016 Here are a few articles about the historic match.
Women’s Winter Classic: Exhilaration, frustration and an injury scare | Puck Daddy
"It was a game that almost didn’t happen, a game whose participants weren’t firmed up until a week before the Winter Classic’s eve. A game hastily announced and publicized, a game acknowledged but not televised. A game that featured a temporary peace between to rival leagues, but one that lit a match under simmering animosity with USA Hockey for one of them."
Outdoor Women’s Classic recap: Pride and Canadiennes Play to 1-1 Tie | SCOC
"While the Pride did not have a full roster due to Team USA, they did suit up Kaleigh Fratkin of the Connecticut Whale and Meghan Fardelmann of the New York Riveters."
Women’s hockey at the Winter Classic is a dream come true—and a reason to keep dreaming | Boston.com
"A member of the Boston Pride of the National Women’s Hockey League reflects on the significance of taking the ice at Gillette Stadium."
History is Made with First Ever Outdoor Women's Winter Classic | HEOTP
"The CWHL's Canadiennes and the NWHL's Boston Pride tied 1-1 in the historic inaugural Women's Winter Classic."
Boston player injured in Outdoor Women’s Classic hockey game | Boston Globe
"Marblehead native Denna Laing of the Pride crashed into the boards in the first period of the game. She was taken off the ice on a stretcher."
Leafs Links
William Nylander injury update: does he have a concussion? | PPP
Answer: Probably.
Jonathan Bernier's win over the Penguins first time he saw 40+ shots this season | PPP
Correlation or causation?
New Year's Eve at the WJC | PPP
Recaps by Katya.
Lake Erie Monsters fall short to Toronto Marlies, 3-2 | Cleveland.com
With TJ Brennan playing 1C, and Orlando's Rob Madore claiming the victory in net.
Other Hockey Links
What If Bill Belichick Coached Hockey Instead? | Boston
"The bulk of Bill Belichick’s playing experience came in football and lacrosse, but he dabbled in hockey too."
Pond hockey on the Range | Minnesota Star Tribune
Peewee outside title game and D'AWWWWWWWW.
No surprise: Rob Gronkowski 'super aggressive' when he played hockey | Boston Herald
"Today, the Patriots tight end was wearing a Bruins jersey, the one the team will have on tomorrow afternoon when they host the Canadiens in the NHL’s Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium."
Colorado hockey team introduces disabled players to popular sport | KDVR
"It may look like just another amateur hockey practice, but what happens every Sunday night at Edge Ice Arena in Littleton is nothing short of a miracle on ice."
Backyard hockey rink draws violation notice from county | WTOP
Not Norm, we told you to keep it small!
Q&A: NHL commish Gary Bettman on the future of the Winter Classic | USA Today
"Bettman: There is almost an insatiable appetite for these games. These games are on our schedule as we are projecting years out."
Last Night's GIFs
Vanek and Allen both with great moves here. cc @bryan_dfs pic.twitter.com/A4rdeAnwsL
— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 1, 2016 "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...haha....ha...oh shit"
— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 1, 2016 "Well at least I got a hat out of this."
Coyotes fans threw hats for Shane Doan during warmups to make up for too few hats for his hat trick the other night pic.twitter.com/CFNZjNnUtd
— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 1, 2016 No need to worry about goal line technology here.
incredible save? almost. Staal makes it 2-1 pic.twitter.com/EyCWpDYfHo
— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 1, 2016 SB Nation Game Recaps
Ain't a New Year's Party without Thomas Greiss - Lighthouse Hockey
The New York Islanders latest penalty killing streak ended, but Thomas Greiss continued to pay dividends in backstopping a 2-1 New Year's Eve win in Buffalo.
The Underlying Numbers: Penguins vs. Red Wings - PensBurgh
After dropping a point against the Maple Leafs the night before, the Penguins were looking to get back in the win column against the Detroit Red Wings and end 2015 on a high note. They did.
Hurricanes 4, Capitals 2 - Canes Country
Eddie Lack makes 30 saves and Canes close out December with a win
Wild end 2015 with 3-1 win vs Blues - Hockey Wilderness
The Wild played a patient, mostly monotonous road game to find itself on the winning end of a 3-1 score.
Jonathan Toews lifts Chicago to 4-3 OT win - Second City Hockey
Chicago snaps four-game series losing streak against Colorado.
Happiest of New Year's Eves - Defending Big D
Taking points away from the Central Division is a nice way to wrap up the year.
The New Years Eve - Classic Loss - The Copper & Blue
The Oilers lose in a 1 - 0 snoozer to the Ducks
Coyotes ring in 2016 in style, thanks to Shane Doan - Five For Howling
The Coyotes' captain sets a franchise record for most goals scored as a Coyote as the Desert Dogs defeat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 Thursday night.
