So far the trip was smooth. This is the

What's that light doing on? Better pull over.

At 11:30, I'm in the car and rollin to Buffalo. Without directions to the hotel! FRICK!

It's time.

So it's now 2:11am and I just finished getting everything packed. I think everything is covered for New Year's Eve, any weather, food for tailgating, and all other tailgating shenanigans. Onto the last post before I'm strictly via phone. Some pics of the throwbackness...Sabourin's old look brown leather, and Pens Blue mask. Dan Craig laced up some skates and took a spin around...they will continue watching the ice while the teams take some practice. A quote from the guys watching the weather closely.

According to The Weather Channel, the New Year’s Day forecast calls for a high of 32 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 18 with snow showers and winds gusting from the west at 20 miles per hour. The chance of precipitation is now 70 percent as opposed to Saturday, when it was only 40 percent.

~Dan Rosen

Buffalo, here I come...

Sunday afternoon updates. Jersey's, sticks, wind, weather.

Just sitting here watching the Steelers game, with clothes in the washer and drier. Next will be to pack for tomorrow. I'm doing whatever I can to curb my excitement for the 2008 Winter Classic. But it's hard when I read articles about what they have planned. Like:

• The Pens are gearing up for the new colors. The sticks will be painted to look like wood.
• Change in NHL rules for this game. In the 3rd period they will switch sides at the 10 minute mark. This way the wind won't be a factor, as much. OT will be played the same at the 2:30 mark they will switch sides. If there is a shootout the goalie can choose which goal they want to defend, so it is possible all shots will be towards one goal. The last big part is in between periods, as well as media timeouts may be longer than normal.
• Be ready to tailgate, Buffalo is a party town with a sports habit.
• If I have time I'll show how many layers of clothing I'm bringing. Be Prepared.

Hey, I was on TV last night with my Pens blue towel...right after the goal, at the 1:12 mark.

The blue wrap up...

Blue is it for me. If other people do something else, then I'll just be different. I'll be cutting this fleece material up and maybe making 10 -15 blue rally towels. The color is actually a little more blue in real life. But, leave a comment if you want one. I may charge a buck just to get my money back. Even if you told me on the phone you want one (Mike) leave a comment as well...

DVR-it, show for the fans, advice from Survivorman

Here is a link to a detailed map of the Ralph Wilson Stadium. You can clearly see where the Lot 5A Tundra parking is. Most pregame stuff will be in parking lot C.

NHL.com has a little story about all the extra things going on for the fans. They compare it to the Super Bowl, but I don't see where they make the comparison with the events for fans. Super Bowl has a ton more to do.

Cute advice from Survivorman, Les Stroud, about how to stay warm at the Ice Bowl. Read it here. My favorite quotable:

"...say, a rockslide, a flood or an avalanche. At the Winter Classic, if you are a Buffalo fan and you find yourself surrounded by a sea of yellow-and-black clothing (suggesting allegiance to the Penguins) in your section, it might be time to plan your means of egress."

And finally...don't forget to set your DVR-it...I just remembered now.

Oh, one more thing...I read something somewhere that the first couple rows will be blocked off for sitting, but that there won't be any obstructed views. I'll have to find the article, and probably should before I post something like this.

MySpace Bulletin from Ice Bowl 2008.

A MySpace bulletin was sent out by Ice Bowl 2008: OK, I'm braindead! I'm trying to get some details straightened out here. Over the weekend, I will send out at least one more message. I'll include directions, bar ideas, a weather report update, maps and a rest stop suggestion from PensBlog, and some other stuff. As of now, NYE in Buffalo will have a 40% chance of snow showers high of 37/low of 31, game day in Orchard Park will have a 40% chance of snow showers with a high of 31/low of 20. The plan for those in Buffalo on NYE seems to be Chippewa Street. Is there a plan to meet up that night...I was obviously mixing up meeting that night with the next morning. I got a few bar suggestions, along with a drunk food suggestion, from someone who used to work for the Sabres. I definitely think it would be fun to all meet up, at least at midnight, and make our presence known. And, I apologize, but I've been holding back too long to make this reference to the Big and Rich song: "Oh and Chippewa's where we go When we're up in Buffalo Don't you know those Yankees drink enough to drown" A group is meeting at 7:30 a.m. on New Year's Day at the Double Tree in downtown to head to the stadium. From there we are caravanning and taking over Tundra Lot 5A at Ralph Wilson as home base for Pens Fans. If you are planning on meeting up on Tuesday morning, please let Kelly know by e-mailing her at kellyh7896 at yahoo.com so she knows how many people to expect. Obviously, everyone will not be able to get Zubaz in time for the game...and, that won't do much for the image of Pittsburghers still stuck in the 80's. I like the idea of all of us having something to wave, but also think The Terrible Towels are not the greatest idea...the last thing we want is a commentator on NBC making some stupid remark about how we're such a football city that we wave them even at hockey games. Meighan and I were talking about buying cheap towels and I was actually thinking along Curto's line of thought...baby blue. Even though the Sabres will be wearing blue, it's not baby blue. If everyone hits the dollar stores we can probably get a good number. Also, spread the word wherever you can. I'll put it on MySpace and the Pens Board...Let's Go Pens!~Kelli

Building of the arena video through December 28, 2007.

If you are excited as me about the 2008 Winter Classic Ice Bowl then you want to be there right now. So the closest thing I could find to being in Ralph Wilson Stadium right now, is to be able to see my seat in a video, and to see how close I am to the rink. So this video shows from December 23rd to today where they have the boards going around and have begun making ice. Shows how much is really going into this event. It's about 8 minutes long, so it's okay to skip ahead a bit. Sights and Sounds:

Pens Blue towels are in?

The question among Pens fans is what can we bring to the game, to stand out as Pens fans?

Meighan N. suggest Zubaz. But highly doubtful they can ship them here by yesterday.

Another suggestion (but I won't name names) was to bring a towel, like the gold Terrible Towel...but I feel, as others, that this is the Penguins, not 2nd place Steelers. I acutally like the Pens more than the Steelers.

The next suggestion was to bring the white Trib Pens rally towels. But the Sabres will be wearing their white jerseys, so we wouldn't want to get confused with being a Buffalo fan.

The last suggestion was to get the Pens blue being used in the throwback jerseys. Go to the $1.00 store and buy some for friends and other Pens fans. **my favorite

Now you choose...

What color waving towel should Pens fans bring to the Winter Classic?

	Trib Total Media white Rally Towels passed out at some games
	Pittsburgh Steelers gold Terrible Towel - since it is so well known on TV
	Pens Blue towels to match the throwback jerseys
	No towels, I'm going to just be trying to stay warm.
	Stupid question, I won't be there and I don't care.
	Bring all of them, and we can decide once we are drunk up there.

skip to results

Survey by Quibblo

Doubletree info, Broadband online info, pregame info, and pics

Just a couple quick things I found.

• Info here about hotels in the area and the revenue for Buffalo. But I found most interesting was about the Doubletree:

• The 100-room Doubletree Club Hotel on High Street will be at capacity, with primarily a Pittsburgh crowd. It is planning its first New Year’s Eve dinner buffet to accommodate its holiday guests.
• “We wanted to do something special for them,” said Doubletree’s Renee Stupski, who said the hotel also is adding a second passenger van to shuttle guests around down - town.

• Buffalo is trying to make the tailgating experience more like the SuperBowl with events going on all around the Ralph Wilson Stadium reports WGRZ-TV, read it.

• If watching from home, make sure to tune in to NHL.com where they are creating two live broadband shows. 1. About the history, making of the arena, and game analysis. 2. Will be live at Ralph Wilson Stadium to give the viewers the feel of what it's like to be there. Read about it.

• Cash registers in Buffalo will be going cha-ching during the Winter Classic. To the tune of 5-million dollars.

• Rain is sometimes a good thing says the dude in charge of setting up the rink.

2008 Ice Bowl is taking shape

News has been slow on the Ice Bowl front...but did find this. Ice is lookin good here.

New Year's Eve, what ya gonna do?

While looking for more Winter Classic/Ice Bowl information I came across an article about kissing someone when the clock strikes 12 on New Years Eve. I didn't realize how important it is to kiss someone on NYE. Maybe that's been my problem, I haven't kissed someone the past 2 years on New Year's. So to everyone that will be celebrating New Year's in Buffalo, or staying at home wherever you live...make sure you have someone to kiss. Below are some things I picked out of the article that were interesting: "A kiss is just a kiss — unless it’s a New Year’s Eve kiss." By Yvonne K. Fulbright

34 percent deemed locking lips at midnight Dec. 31 more important than watching one’s weight, meeting someone new or getting the perfect gifts this year.

An astrological predictor of sorts, this kiss is thought to impact one’s luck in love, sex and romance for the subsequent 365 days. This is especially important for any singles longing for love.

There is also a long list of things to make you more "kissable" and a list of 2008 Relationship Resolutions. Cute read if you aren't getting ready to go to the Pens game.

2008 Winter Classic Ice Bowl arena pic update

These pics from The Buffalo News taken by Harry Scull Jr. "As seen from field’s tunnel entrance, crews in Ralph Wilson Stadium prepare youth “pond,” foreground, and main rink for NHL Winter Classic."

"Sam King has his hands full Wednesday as he helps remove trash from the lower bowl of Ralph Wilson Stadium, which was occupied by more than 71,000 football fans Sunday and will be catering to about 73,000 hockey fans on New Year’s Day."

Thursday mid day what's up...

• Press release from Bob Costas, Eddie Olczyk, Sam Flood with a question and answer session on how they feel about the event. My favorite quote:

COSTAS ON WINTER CLASSIC: "It will feel special because it is special. It's unique. (Sidney) Crosby is a guy who crosses over into the general awareness of sports fans who might not follow the NHL day-to-day. You have players that people want to see and an atmosphere that's intriguing. Plus 70,000 people in Buffalo on New Year's Day, there's certainly going to be a rollicking atmosphere there. You aren't going to need to know the standings from top to bottom to enjoy this game. It's an event."

• NEWS. NBC isn't sure if they will have NHL games in 2008-09, but the Winter Classic will help them judge. ESPN is also thinking about picking the NHL up next season. Something else very interesting in that article is the camera's that will be used:

"A couple of high-tech cameras and a three-man booth are among the production enhancements that will be used by the CBC in its coverage of the Winter Classic. " "Announcer Jim Hughson will team up with analysts Craig Simpson and Greg Millen to call the game. One of the new cameras will shoot pictures from an aircraft above the field and another will sit atop a seven-metre-high crane to give the audience a 360-degree view of the stadium."

• This is old news now, but it was the press conference about how the building of the arena is going.
• Event posted on MeetIn.org. Yeah, I know I posted it...see, I'm too excited.

End of Wednesday Wrap up.

• Thanks to Chris for pointing me to this link about all the bars on Chippewa street for New Year's Eve.
• Unfortunately it's not Jeff Jimmerson, but it will be Irish tenor Ronan Tynan singing "God Bless America." (if you must, skip to at least 1:10 and ride it out...at about 2:50 people are actually crying) Lastly, Doug Allen will sing "O Canada."
• A lot of progress has been made on the transformation of Ralph Wilson Stadium to Buffalo Sabres Stadium. Linky.
• The menu according to Rick Abramson, president of Delaware North Classic says:

"Rick Abramson, Delaware North Cos. Sportservice president, said he is anticipating selling more than 12,000 slices of pizza, 10,000 hot dogs, 6,000 pretzels, 5,000 hamburgers, 1,900 beef on weck sandwiches, 1,400 pounds of chicken wings, 800 pounds of popcorn and 12,000 bottles of soft drink during the game. "There is no doubt this will be the most food ever eaten at a hockey game," Abramson said. "This will be a spectacular feast."

But where does he say how much beer will be drunk?

48 hours in 1 minute

Thanks to Shawn M. for sending this helpful link for Game Day and NYE info. Linky. Check out this quickie of the first 48 hours of transforming Ralph Wilson Stadium into a hockey palace. Linky.

Gigapan. You read right.

An actualy post not related to the 2008 Winter Classic. WOW.

I just read an interesting article from the Trib that talks about new technology called gigapan and the CMU students using it. Basically this camera takes a ton of small photos. All these small photos are stiched together and can show great details of a picture. Blah blah blah...here's a pic. Click it to go to the gigapan.org website to see what gigapan can actually do...

More Winter Classic info.

Looks like the entertainment has been announced here. Whois Sam Roberts?

Bill Clement gives his opinion of the Winter Classic here. My favorite part of his opinion is:

"The Winter Classic transcends a mere hockey game. And it's more than an event. The All-Star game is an event. The Winter Classic is a hockey game that will be presented in spectacle form. It's the Woodstock of NHL hockey."

WHEC-TV wants to tag along with you to the WC. Huh? Yeah, but do they just want a free ride? Blah, it's Buffalo news, who cares.

Ralph Wilson Stadium transforms

TSN reports the Ralph Wilson Stadium has begun the tranformation to a hockey arena. Linky. The Buffalo News has a good story on the progress as well, and a much cooler pic. Linky.

The TSN report also says if they need to cancel the event due to bad weather, it can be rescheduled for January 2nd 2008. Let's hope not.

Did everyone know about the pre-game events?

"AMP ENERGY / NHL Winter Classic Pre-Game Celebration Spectator Plaza in Parking Lot C opens at 8:00AM. Join the NHL for live music with Nik and the Nice Guys. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Retail outlets will be on location."

Christmas gifts.

I hope everyone got something nice from the fat guy in the red...Sorry Buzz...you posted it first... Christmas is over, now it's back to the grind. But luckily it's a short week for most, 3 days, then Friday begins a longer break (5 days for me) which will include the trip to Buffalo. What did everyone get for Christmas? Anything exciting, or anything for Buffalo? I got some things that will definately get used... (Not pictured, cash gifts) Less than a week away folks until the 2008 Amp Winter Classic. Be ready for history. Oh yeah, I also got to play with this girl all day...Ali

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas everyone...

What the heck are you doing? Poll time.

For the 2008 Winter Classic/NYE plans, I will be joining other Pens fans for:

Survey by Quibblo

Planning for 2008 NHL Amp Winter Classic

Event planning for the NHL 2008 Winter Classic

With one week left before the 2008 Amp Winter Classic in Buffalo, New York where the Pittsburgh Penguins are playing the Buffalo Sabres. I have seen over two dozen re: emails over the past week, and I realized there isn't a central place where all the information where Pens fans can go for updates. So I'd like to try and keep everyone informed about what everyone else is doing, as well as myself, for New Year's Eve events, as well as tailgating pregame.

Like a few others, I'm going more or less blind to what Buffalo has to offer. I'd rather not leave Sunday/Monday without keeping in touch with what the mass plans are. So with this blog, I'd like to try and keep everyone informed of the "masses" plans.

I plan to keep this blog updaded over the next week with any new information that comes across my desk. But the more information I receive, the more that can be communicated.

An email will be sent to everyone on the email list that were included with the below information, email thread started by Doug H.

Getting there:

• Quite a few Pens fans are staying at the Doubletree (including me) (map)
• Some are getting up there on December 30th, but the majority are going up December 31st.

New Year's Eve 2008:

• Thanks to Shawn M. for the link to Buffalo New Year's events.
• Kelly H. thought it would be a nice idea for a meet and greet in the Doubletree lobby around 7:30pm, regardless if we are spending New Year's together.
• For Pens fans that will be celebrating New Year's Eve together, meet in the Doubletree lobby between 8 and 9pm.
• Shawn M. suggested for New Year's Eve a street named Chippawa which is similar to the SouthSide with the bars. Read about their nightlife.
• Keep in mind that bars are open until 4am in New York.

PreGame Tailgate:

• Due to parking/tailgating reasons, we should meet in the Doubletree lobby at 7:30am sharp to convoy our way to the Ralph Wilson Stadium.
• Kelly H. did some research and there is no reserved parking, cost is $25 and #5A Tundra seems to be a good lot for tailgating so dudes can use the woods. (so nice of her to think of the dudes)
• Parking cost is $25 and there is no reserved parking, first come first parked.
• Justin K. did some research, and from the Doubletree there should be a bus somewhere, but the cost is $25. (My thing is who would carry all my shid that far on the bus and the parking lot? Not I.)

Any information you have that you would like to share, please shoot me a message or leave a comment. Please forward this blog to people you know are going to the game so we can try and get everyone in the loop.

HHSS, curtO.