Unique sights, sounds stir this Winter Classic observer
Random thoughts from the Winter Classic:
• Despite being victims of proximity in the overcrowded train cars on the Red Line, Blackhawks and Red Wings fans seemed to mingle rather easily with one another as they scrunched together for the short ride to Wrigley Field on Thursday morning.
Was it just a facade?
You bet.
As soon as the doors opened at the Addison stop and Hawks fans were finally reunited with their buddies, the chants of "De-troit (stinks)" kicked in with a vengeance.
• Fans in the grandstand were each given a placard that when lifted in unison spelled out "2009" and "Happy New Year" during pregame ceremonies. But as baseball folks have known for years: you hand out something that fans can throw ... odds are it's going to be thrown. It was no different with the placards.
• How is it possible that the national anthem at Wrigley could be even more stirring than the ones at the United Center over the years? Don't know the answer, but it was. Pyrotechnics and a flyover afterward sure didn't hurt.
• I know it violates the look and tradition of Wrigley Field, but having jumbo TV screens in right and left field sure looked cool and sure didn't seem out of place.
• The primo seats for Cubs games certainly weren't primo for the Winter Classic. From dugout to dugout, many fans in the lower bowl Thursday had to stand just to get a good look at the action.
• You think it takes patience to wait in line for the washroom during a Cubs game in the summer? Imagine what it was like for the New Year's Day revelers waiting in the freezing concourses of Wrigley. A lot of grumpy faces, a lot of expletives and a lot of crossed legs.
• To keep fans from slipping, crews spread salt along the aisles and in each row before Thursday's game. There hasn't been that much salt at Wrigley since Margaritaville invaded a few years back.
• NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said after Thursday's game he has no idea where the next Winter Classic will be held. Unless you're playing in Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park or on an actual frozen pond surrounded by a natural amphitheater somewhere in Canada, how can you possibly top the Wrigley Field experience?