Wrigley Field is strange setting for hockey
CHICAGO — Chris Chelios raced up and down the ice and when he had a chance to peek up and check out his surroundings Wednesday, he had trouble believing his eyes.
“To look out and see the rooftops and bleachers while being on an ice surface was the craziest thing in the world, especially at Wrigley Field,” said Chelios, the Detroit defenseman and Chicago native.
Chelios estimated that, as a baseball fan, he’d seen more than 200 games at Wrigley over the years. He even lugged the Stanley Cup to the ballpark this past August to show it around and share it with fans in his hometown.
And now, he’ll be part of the second NHL regular-season outdoor game in the United States when his current and former teams meet today in the Winter Classic. (1 p. m., Ch. 2 & 5).
Chelios spent nine seasons with the Blackhawks and is now in his 10th with the Red Wings. At age 46, his ice time has been limited this season — partly because of injury — but he’ll be active today.
“Who would have thought this was going to happen? Growing up in Chicago makes it even that more special,” he said.
Both teams got a feel for the ice Wednesday and were hoping it would be in better shape by today’s faceoff.
“The ice, let’s give it a day,” said Chicago’s Brian Campbell, who played last season in the first Winter Classic in Orchard Park with the Sabres.
“It’s an issue, but there is nothing you can do about that. It’s so cold out there it’s chipping away,” Chelios said. “You worry about the safety of the players. Whatever happens to both teams, hopefully it’s not a hazard as far as injuries.”
During the skate, many players wore black tape under their eyes to cut the glare — like baseball players — on a sunny day. And with one end brighter than the other, it could create a real challenge for the goalies looking for the puck.
Campbell even used a baseball analogy, saying it’s like a hitter trying to pick up a ball that comes out of the sun into the shadows.
But if the forecast holds up — low to mid 30s and overcast — it shouldn’t be a factor. In fact, it is not only expected to be cloudy today, but at least 10 degrees warmer than Wednesday.
Campbell, who scored Buffalo’s lone goal last season in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Penguins, said most of the questions he’s gotten from his new teammates have been about clothing.
“That’s to be expected. I don’t think a lot of guys wore too much extra clothing [Wednesday] and the sun is going to be different,” Campbell said.
“We’ve got a bunch of stuff for the players to wear. We’ve got the high-tech long johns that cling to your body,” Blackhawks trainer Mike Gapski said. “The benches will have blown-in heat, so we’ll be more comfortable than the spectators.”
Chicago’s Duncan Keith played for Michigan State in 2001 when it met Michigan before 74,554 fans outdoors at Spartan Stadium.
“You have to warm your muscles up. It’s going to be cold,” Keith said.
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