wow is outdoor high school hockey a total disaster..pleaszzz

[defense]

The old school part is nice, but the games could be so much better if they didn't have to deal with the unpredictable ice / weather. IMO, would be nice to try moving around to some of the nice rinks in State. BREC in Bemidji, Amsoil in Duluth, Marriucci, etc. Either way it a great day !

To me, that would kinda wreck it.

[No Political Connections]

The old school part is nice, but the games could be so much better if they didn't have to deal with the unpredictable ice / weather. IMO, would be nice to try moving around to some of the nice rinks in State. BREC in Bemidji, Amsoil in Duluth, Marriucci, etc. Either way it a great day !

I think that would wreck it. How about moving it back to the 2nd or 3rd weekend in January instead of mid February?

[starmvp]

The old school part is nice, but the games could be so much better if they didn't have to deal with the unpredictable ice / weather. IMO, would be nice to try moving around to some of the nice rinks in State. BREC in Bemidji, Amsoil in Duluth, Marriucci, etc. Either way it a great day !

I think that would wreck it. How about moving it back to the 2nd or 3rd weekend in January instead of mid February?

It was January 23rd last year

[PuckU126]

The old school part is nice, but the games could be so much better if they didn't have to deal with the unpredictable ice / weather. IMO, would be nice to try moving around to some of the nice rinks in State. BREC in Bemidji, Amsoil in Duluth, Marriucci, etc. Either way it a great day !

I think that would wreck it. How about moving it back to the 2nd or 3rd weekend in January instead of mid February?

It was January 23rd last year

They should leave it there...

[cooperalls4ever]

So by reading these comments I'm confused. Isn't this special weekend set up to showcase High School Hockey played outdoors as it was in the past and to give a lifetime experience to those lucky few teams chosen to participate? Am I wrong, but those nice big cozy arena's: Hibbing, DECC, Amsoil, and those in the Metro made for SECTIONS and STATE?

I played hockey OUTDOORS until I was 13. We had no indoor ice to practice on unless it was at a hockey camp, most games were played outdoors until PeeWeeA and nearly all of my practices were outdoors until H.S. Oh, and there weren't any Zamboni's doing the oudoor rinks then either. They had a sweeper come out to clean shavings and maybe a tank/trailer with a cloth pulled behind for a little "hot-flood". And I didn't play in the 60s or 70s. I graduated in the early 90s.

These games were meant to be played outdoors, deal with the conditions. i.e.- adapt-the truely great players (rink rats with outdoor ice experience do) Those who can't are just plain SOFT and SPOILED and clearly need a reality check. Enjoy the opportunity and move on with life.

The weekend should be moved to late Jan., even then in Hermantown it was in the 30s and a mix of every precip. possible (cloud cover kept the ice "safe"-the lines, etc. were all bleeding and chipped up then too) Feb ice is unpredictable-sun higher in sky, etc. Players need to realize the hazards on the ice and play the game around them. That said, I was a little turned off by the "indoor ice sheet" Moorhead put up for an outdoor game. Leave it to the attendence setting games in the NCAA and NHL, keep the outdoor games tradition - wood boards with fencing. Maybe they need to not color in the creases and just do outlines for the blue/red line, after all I've been inside for H.S. games that they've had so much ice laid down you couldn't even make out the circles, lines, or dots.

[defense]

So by reading these comments I'm confused. Isn't this special weekend set up to showcase High School Hockey played outdoors as it was in the past and to give a lifetime experience to those lucky few teams chosen to participate? Am I wrong, but those nice big cozy arena's: Hibbing, DECC, Amsoil, and those in the Metro made for SECTIONS and STATE?

I played hockey OUTDOORS until I was 13. We had no indoor ice to practice on unless it was at a hockey camp, most games were played outdoors until PeeWeeA and nearly all of my practices were outdoors until H.S. Oh, and there weren't any Zamboni's doing the oudoor rinks then either. They had a sweeper come out to clean shavings and maybe a tank/trailer with a cloth pulled behind for a little "hot-flood". And I didn't play in the 60s or 70s. I graduated in the early 90s.

These games were meant to be played outdoors, deal with the conditions. i.e.- adapt-the truely great players (rink rats with outdoor ice experience do) Those who can't are just plain SOFT and SPOILED and clearly need a reality check. Enjoy the opportunity and move on with life.

The weekend should be moved to late Jan., even then in Hermantown it was in the 30s and a mix of every precip. possible (cloud cover kept the ice "safe"-the lines, etc. were all bleeding and chipped up then too) Feb ice is unpredictable-sun higher in sky, etc. Players need to realize the hazards on the ice and play the game around them. That said, I was a little turned off by the "indoor ice sheet" Moorhead put up for an outdoor game. Leave it to the attendence setting games in the NCAA and NHL, keep the outdoor games tradition - wood boards with fencing. Maybe they need to not color in the creases and just do outlines for the blue/red line, after all I've been inside for H.S. games that they've had so much ice laid down you couldn't even make out the circles, lines, or dots.

I also noticed the indoor rink that they put outside. That in itself kinda starts to cheapen the novelty of it. Play the game on one of their real outdoor rinks, isn't that what this was supposed to be about. Now we're putting up rinks in places that shouldn't have rinks, with boards and glass meant for the indoors.....and everyone whines about it being too cold or too warm, or snowy...... Maybe Moorhead doesn't have any real outdoor rinks.....??

[hockeyfanatic819]

there is an outdoor rink just across the road. There was a game between mhd and brainerd hockey moms there. Weather definitely didn't cooperate this year... which is unfortunate but still a great day for MN hockey.

[TKO_81]

So by reading these comments I'm confused. Isn't this special weekend set up to showcase High School Hockey played outdoors as it was in the past and to give a lifetime experience to those lucky few teams chosen to participate? Am I wrong, but those nice big cozy arena's: Hibbing, DECC, Amsoil, and those in the Metro made for SECTIONS and STATE?

I played hockey OUTDOORS until I was 13. We had no indoor ice to practice on unless it was at a hockey camp, most games were played outdoors until PeeWeeA and nearly all of my practices were outdoors until H.S. Oh, and there weren't any Zamboni's doing the oudoor rinks then either. They had a sweeper come out to clean shavings and maybe a tank/trailer with a cloth pulled behind for a little "hot-flood". And I didn't play in the 60s or 70s. I graduated in the early 90s.

These games were meant to be played outdoors, deal with the conditions. i.e.- adapt-the truely great players (rink rats with outdoor ice experience do) Those who can't are just plain SOFT and SPOILED and clearly need a reality check. Enjoy the opportunity and move on with life.

The weekend should be moved to late Jan., even then in Hermantown it was in the 30s and a mix of every precip. possible (cloud cover kept the ice "safe"-the lines, etc. were all bleeding and chipped up then too) Feb ice is unpredictable-sun higher in sky, etc. Players need to realize the hazards on the ice and play the game around them. That said, I was a little turned off by the "indoor ice sheet" Moorhead put up for an outdoor game. Leave it to the attendence setting games in the NCAA and NHL, keep the outdoor games tradition - wood boards with fencing. Maybe they need to not color in the creases and just do outlines for the blue/red line, after all I've been inside for H.S. games that they've had so much ice laid down you couldn't even make out the circles, lines, or dots.

[MrBoDangles]

So by reading these comments I'm confused. Isn't this special weekend set up to showcase High School Hockey played outdoors as it was in the past and to give a lifetime experience to those lucky few teams chosen to participate? Am I wrong, but those nice big cozy arena's: Hibbing, DECC, Amsoil, and those in the Metro made for SECTIONS and STATE?

I played hockey OUTDOORS until I was 13. We had no indoor ice to practice on unless it was at a hockey camp, most games were played outdoors until PeeWeeA and nearly all of my practices were outdoors until H.S. Oh, and there weren't any Zamboni's doing the oudoor rinks then either. They had a sweeper come out to clean shavings and maybe a tank/trailer with a cloth pulled behind for a little "hot-flood". And I didn't play in the 60s or 70s. I graduated in the early 90s.

These games were meant to be played outdoors, deal with the conditions. i.e.- adapt-the truely great players (rink rats with outdoor ice experience do) Those who can't are just plain SOFT and SPOILED and clearly need a reality check. Enjoy the opportunity and move on with life.

The weekend should be moved to late Jan., even then in Hermantown it was in the 30s and a mix of every precip. possible (cloud cover kept the ice "safe"-the lines, etc. were all bleeding and chipped up then too) Feb ice is unpredictable-sun higher in sky, etc. Players need to realize the hazards on the ice and play the game around them. That said, I was a little turned off by the "indoor ice sheet" Moorhead put up for an outdoor game. Leave it to the attendence setting games in the NCAA and NHL, keep the outdoor games tradition - wood boards with fencing. Maybe they need to not color in the creases and just do outlines for the blue/red line, after all I've been inside for H.S. games that they've had so much ice laid down you couldn't even make out the circles, lines, or dots.

Great post! If these boys haven't ever played on ice like this they will never amount to much. Back in high school we would play on less than perfect ice all the time. Kids would be on the rink when it was slush. Over a three year period seven kids went D-1, they were also the kids that were on that crappy ice the most.

I also remember my friends little brother and a group of his friends ALWAYS being up at the rink at 9-10 years old. The little brother and two of his friends were playing in the NHL last year and another is still chasing the dream.. One of them scored their first goal as a 28 year old.

Are we really getting this sugar coated?

[BodyShots]

I thought I read somewhere that the goal creases and blue/red lines where underlined with vinyl. Did this compound the problem?

I believe they skate outside at the Roseville oval until April. Maybe they should play the games there next year!

[hockeyhockeyhockey]

Should have kept the game in baudette. Couldnt be a better location. The parking lot in moorhead doesnt have the same feel as the bay, underneath the giant walleye, and on the Canadian border.

Old time pond hockey my thoughts exactly

have a couple of B Bantom teams play it then and be done with it.

[chubbs]

have the game at night or else earlier in the year.

[Govie]

Keep it outside. Not sure if our's in one of the few in the state, but the Governors, who held the first outdoor game in "Hockey Day" at Phalen against Rochester JM played on a special rink that keeps the ice cold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFZyOZjU5eA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gREvS4Ml ... re=related

It was awesome. Maybe they need more of those types of rinks.

[muckandgrind]

Count me among the many that are sick of the "old time hockey" aspect of televising outdoor games. I don't care WHERE the game is played. If the ice conditions are favorable, play outside. But if not, play the game indoors. If they knew the rising temp and high sun, combined with the fact that two high school teams playing on the same sheet of ice was going to make ice conditions horrible, they should've moved the game indoors.

I would rather watch the teams play a good game inside, than watch two teams stumble around on bad ice just for nostalgia sake.

[2nd string]

Count me among the many that are sick of the "old time hockey" aspect of televising outdoor games. I don't care WHERE the game is played. If the ice conditions are favorable, play outside. But if not, play the game indoors. If they knew the rising temp and high sun, combined with the fact that two high school teams playing on the same sheet of ice was going to make ice conditions horrible, they should've moved the game indoors.

I would rather watch the teams play a good game inside, than watch two teams stumble around on bad ice just for nostalgia sake.

What a bunch of whiners. It's hockey day minnesota people. I thought it was great. You can't predict the weather. Who would think February 12 it would be 40 degrees in Moorhead Minnesota. They made the best of it. I talked with a couple of the players and they said it was an absolute blast to be part of the festivities. I have heard that Moorhead did a great job. So hats off to them. I was at the game and worked the one in Baudette when it was -30, but you know what it still was a great day! I am so glad that someone has orginized this day to promote Minnesota Hockey and the heritage of it. Hey next year we might have 10 degrees with 40 mile an hour wind and you people will complain again. I know someone will come back and say well we are just lucky no body got hurt. But every were you go and every thing you do you have a chance of an injury. So buck up and enjoy Hockey Day Minnesota and what it stands for.

[muckandgrind]

Count me among the many that are sick of the "old time hockey" aspect of televising outdoor games. I don't care WHERE the game is played. If the ice conditions are favorable, play outside. But if not, play the game indoors. If they knew the rising temp and high sun, combined with the fact that two high school teams playing on the same sheet of ice was going to make ice conditions horrible, they should've moved the game indoors.

I would rather watch the teams play a good game inside, than watch two teams stumble around on bad ice just for nostalgia sake.

What a bunch of whiners. It's hockey day minnesota people. I thought it was great. You can't predict the weather. Who would think February 12 it would be 40 degrees in Moorhead Minnesota. They made the best of it. I talked with a couple of the players and they said it was an absolute blast to be part of the festivities. I have heard that Moorhead did a great job. So hats off to them. I was at the game and worked the one in Baudette when it was -30, but you know what it still was a great day! I am so glad that someone has orginized this day to promote Minnesota Hockey and the heritage of it. Hey next year we might have 10 degrees with 40 mile an hour wind and you people will complain again. I know someone will come back and say well we are just lucky no body got hurt. But every were you go and every thing you do you have a chance of an injury. So buck up and enjoy Hockey Day Minnesota and what it stands for.

You can call it whining all you like, I just don't get all the nostalgia surrounding these outdoor games. Personally, I think it's overdone, whether with the NHL doing their outdoor games or High School. The only reason the game was played outdoors 40 years ago was because we had to, not because we wanted to. If we had access to more indoor rinks, do you think we would have played outdoors?? Of course not.

I just want to watch good hockey, and what we witnessed on Saturday wasn't that. At the very least, couldn't they make it a requirement that whatever outdoor rink they play on have chillers to keep a nice surface? I'd call that a good compromise, you can get your rocks off watching outdoor hockey, while I can enjoy watching a good game.

[MrBoDangles]

Count me among the many that are sick of the "old time hockey" aspect of televising outdoor games. I don't care WHERE the game is played. If the ice conditions are favorable, play outside. But if not, play the game indoors. If they knew the rising temp and high sun, combined with the fact that two high school teams playing on the same sheet of ice was going to make ice conditions horrible, they should've moved the game indoors.

I would rather watch the teams play a good game inside, than watch two teams stumble around on bad ice just for nostalgia sake.

What a bunch of whiners. It's hockey day minnesota people. I thought it was great. You can't predict the weather. Who would think February 12 it would be 40 degrees in Moorhead Minnesota. They made the best of it. I talked with a couple of the players and they said it was an absolute blast to be part of the festivities. I have heard that Moorhead did a great job. So hats off to them. I was at the game and worked the one in Baudette when it was -30, but you know what it still was a great day! I am so glad that someone has orginized this day to promote Minnesota Hockey and the heritage of it. Hey next year we might have 10 degrees with 40 mile an hour wind and you people will complain again. I know someone will come back and say well we are just lucky no body got hurt. But every were you go and every thing you do you have a chance of an injury. So buck up and enjoy Hockey Day Minnesota and what it stands for.

[kingpin]

i agree that earlier in the year would be much better but if not then thats perfectly fine. I would like to see it in the metro next year on lets say calhoun or minnetonka

[2nd string]

Count me among the many that are sick of the "old time hockey" aspect of televising outdoor games. I don't care WHERE the game is played. If the ice conditions are favorable, play outside. But if not, play the game indoors. If they knew the rising temp and high sun, combined with the fact that two high school teams playing on the same sheet of ice was going to make ice conditions horrible, they should've moved the game indoors.

I would rather watch the teams play a good game inside, than watch two teams stumble around on bad ice just for nostalgia sake.

What a bunch of whiners. It's hockey day minnesota people. I thought it was great. You can't predict the weather. Who would think February 12 it would be 40 degrees in Moorhead Minnesota. They made the best of it. I talked with a couple of the players and they said it was an absolute blast to be part of the festivities. I have heard that Moorhead did a great job. So hats off to them. I was at the game and worked the one in Baudette when it was -30, but you know what it still was a great day! I am so glad that someone has orginized this day to promote Minnesota Hockey and the heritage of it. Hey next year we might have 10 degrees with 40 mile an hour wind and you people will complain again. I know someone will come back and say well we are just lucky no body got hurt. But every were you go and every thing you do you have a chance of an injury. So buck up and enjoy Hockey Day Minnesota and what it stands for.

You can call it whining all you like, I just don't get all the nostalgia surrounding these outdoor games. Personally, I think it's overdone, whether with the NHL doing their outdoor games or High School. The only reason the game was played outdoors 40 years ago was because we had to, not because we wanted to. If we had access to more indoor rinks, do you think we would have played outdoors?? Of course not.

I just want to watch good hockey, and what we witnessed on Saturday wasn't that. At the very least, couldn't they make it a requirement that whatever outdoor rink they play on have chillers to keep a nice surface? I'd call that a good compromise, you can get your rocks off watching outdoor hockey, while I can enjoy watching a good game.

You could always turn it off, if you don't like it. If it doesn't get your rocks off! I am sure there are alot of other games for you to watch that day in the gym!

[muckandgrind]

What a bunch of whiners. It's hockey day minnesota people. I thought it was great. You can't predict the weather. Who would think February 12 it would be 40 degrees in Moorhead Minnesota. They made the best of it. I talked with a couple of the players and they said it was an absolute blast to be part of the festivities. I have heard that Moorhead did a great job. So hats off to them. I was at the game and worked the one in Baudette when it was -30, but you know what it still was a great day! I am so glad that someone has orginized this day to promote Minnesota Hockey and the heritage of it. Hey next year we might have 10 degrees with 40 mile an hour wind and you people will complain again. I know someone will come back and say well we are just lucky no body got hurt. But every were you go and every thing you do you have a chance of an injury. So buck up and enjoy Hockey Day Minnesota and what it stands for.

You can call it whining all you like, I just don't get all the nostalgia surrounding these outdoor games. Personally, I think it's overdone, whether with the NHL doing their outdoor games or High School. The only reason the game was played outdoors 40 years ago was because we had to, not because we wanted to. If we had access to more indoor rinks, do you think we would have played outdoors?? Of course not.

I just want to watch good hockey, and what we witnessed on Saturday wasn't that. At the very least, couldn't they make it a requirement that whatever outdoor rink they play on have chillers to keep a nice surface? I'd call that a good compromise, you can get your rocks off watching outdoor hockey, while I can enjoy watching a good game.

You could always turn it off, if you don't like it. If it doesn't get your rocks off! I am sure there are alot of other games for you to watch that day in the gym!

Honestly, did you think the Hill-Murray/Moorhead game was good hockey?? Answer truthfully.

[2nd string]

You can call it whining all you like, I just don't get all the nostalgia surrounding these outdoor games. Personally, I think it's overdone, whether with the NHL doing their outdoor games or High School. The only reason the game was played outdoors 40 years ago was because we had to, not because we wanted to. If we had access to more indoor rinks, do you think we would have played outdoors?? Of course not.

I just want to watch good hockey, and what we witnessed on Saturday wasn't that. At the very least, couldn't they make it a requirement that whatever outdoor rink they play on have chillers to keep a nice surface? I'd call that a good compromise, you can get your rocks off watching outdoor hockey, while I can enjoy watching a good game.

You could always turn it off, if you don't like it. If it doesn't get your rocks off! I am sure there are alot of other games for you to watch that day in the gym!

Honestly, did you think the Hill-Murray/Moorhead game was good hockey?? Answer truthfully.

I thought the conditions did take away from the game, but you are not seeing my point. It is about Minnesota Hockey Day. And the fact of playing in a different venu, I do like!

[muckandgrind]

You could always turn it off, if you don't like it. If it doesn't get your rocks off! I am sure there are alot of other games for you to watch that day in the gym!

Honestly, did you think the Hill-Murray/Moorhead game was good hockey?? Answer truthfully.

I thought the conditions did take away from the game, but you are not seeing my point. It is about Minnesota Hockey Day. And the fact of playing in a different venu, I do like!

OK, thanks. Next question: What is so special about a hockey game being played outside? See if you can answer that question without all the poetic narratives about "when we were kids."

Like I said in a previous post, I'm old enough to have played a large number of youth hockey games outside....and freakin' HATED IT!!! It was a real treat for us (and our parents who were watching) to be able to play indoors on good ice.

Now that FSN doesn't televise HS games anymore, I would rather have watched these teams display their skill indoors on good ice. I guess with me it's more about the game and the players, then it is about seeing them play outdoors on a subpar ice surface.

[The Exiled One]

i agree that earlier in the year would be much better but if not then thats perfectly fine. I would like to see it in the metro next year on lets say calhoun or minnetonka

Lake George in St. Cloud
Lake Bemidji
That area in front of Northrop Hall at the U of M (Northrop Mall?)

I like the idea of playing "old-time hockey" in places that actually hosted some significant old-time outdoor games. Most of the old Minneapolis and St. Paul outdoor games were held where buildings now stand. However, the Gophers played a few seasons in the early 20's outdoors on campus. It might not have been Northrop Mall, but if there's a spot big enough for a rink, I think that would be a cool place to have it.

St. Cloud Teacher's College actually played most of their outdoor games by Riverview Hall. They probably have space enough to resurrect that rink, or they could play on Lake George where the Huskies and other important St. Cloud hockey games were played.

I'm sure Lake Bemidji has hosted some important games too.

There's even a record of games being played on Lake Superior Bay, but doing that for Hockey Day is obviously inconceivable.

[The Exiled One]

OK, thanks. Next question: What is so special about a hockey game being played outside? See if you can answer that question without all the poetic narratives about "when we were kids."

Like I said in a previous post, I'm old enough to have played a large number of youth hockey games outside....and freakin' HATED IT!!! It was a real treat for us to be able to play indoors on good ice.

To your point, indoor hockey rinks were prevelant (at least for high end hockey teams) across the state by the late 30's. That means that outdoor hockey for high school teams lasted around thirty years, while indoor hockey is about 80 years old and counting. The outdoor game is a novelty and I don't mind it if it's played in good conditions. The idea of crappy ice being a part of old time hockey doesn't hold water for me.

[MrBoDangles]

Honestly, did you think the Hill-Murray/Moorhead game was good hockey?? Answer truthfully.

I thought the conditions did take away from the game, but you are not seeing my point. It is about Minnesota Hockey Day. And the fact of playing in a different venu, I do like!

OK, thanks. Next question: What is so special about a hockey game being played outside? See if you can answer that question without all the poetic narratives about "when we were kids."

Like I said in a previous post, I'm old enough to have played a large number of youth hockey games outside....and freakin' HATED IT!!! It was a real treat for us (and our parents who were watching) to be able to play indoors on good ice.

Now that FSN doesn't televise HS games anymore, I would rather have watched these teams display their skill indoors on good ice. I guess with me it's more about the game and the players, then it is about seeing them play outdoors on a subpar ice surface.

You must be a big fan of indoor football and baseball then?

Fan of domes and themometers?