There's something attracting about NHL hockey being played outdoors-it's an unusual experience not simply for the spectators but the players as well. US enthusiasts got their annual dose of outdoor hockey on New Year's Day and this weekend it was Canadian fans' turn with the Heritage Classic between the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens. The game was played at McMahon Stadium in Calgary-better known as the home of the CFL Calgary Stampeders-and it was a great night for the home team as the Flames shut out the visiting Habs 4-0.
In the spite of the exceptional venue it was commerce as usual for NHL betting enthusiasts and those who backed the Flames as -145 home favorites cashed their tickets with the triumph. Takeback on Montreal was +125. The four goals scored went UNDER the posted total of 5' -130. It's been typically OVER verdicts for the Flames lately-Sunday's total ended a streak of 5 straight OVERs with 7 of Calgary's last nine games beyond the total. The Canadiens have now gone UNDER in their previous four games.
The betting lines on the game may have been quite typical but the Heritage Classic did supply hockey handicappers with the exclusive experience of factoring the weather into their studies. Not astonishingly for a game played outside in Alberta in February it was cold and windy-the temperature at game time was 16 degrees F with the wind chill from 16 MPH winds making it experience like 2 degrees F. Flames' goalie Mikka Kiprusoff said that after the first season it wasn't too much of a factor:
"The first period was pretty windy. I had to put in something after the first period, put more clothes on, but we had a lot of great stuff here to use. The last two periods, the second and third I felt all right."
Kiprusoff's teammate Rene Bourque spoke of the general vibe of the game:
"I think it's right up there with playing your first game, scoring your first goal, things like that. It's just fun to be part of this and playing in front of these people, especially when you're sitting on the bench and you're looking out and seeing 40,000 people."
Calgary captain Jarome Iginla praised the courage of the fans, most of whom waiting continue until the end of the game:
"I hope some people to go home. I can imagine how cold they were. They didn't get to warm up the way we do, but they were there to the finish having a wonderful time."
The Flames vaulted into sixth place in the Western Conference with the success, though that's far from safe in the firmly packed West playoff race. They'll play their next three games at home, albeit beside some tough foes with the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues coming to town. Montreal will finish up their West Coast street trip with a game at Vancouver on Tuesday night before frequenting home for games later this week against Toronto and Atlanta.
In the spite of the exceptional venue it was commerce as usual for NHL betting enthusiasts and those who backed the Flames as -145 home favorites cashed their tickets with the triumph. Takeback on Montreal was +125. The four goals scored went UNDER the posted total of 5' -130. It's been typically OVER verdicts for the Flames lately-Sunday's total ended a streak of 5 straight OVERs with 7 of Calgary's last nine games beyond the total. The Canadiens have now gone UNDER in their previous four games.
The betting lines on the game may have been quite typical but the Heritage Classic did supply hockey handicappers with the exclusive experience of factoring the weather into their studies. Not astonishingly for a game played outside in Alberta in February it was cold and windy-the temperature at game time was 16 degrees F with the wind chill from 16 MPH winds making it experience like 2 degrees F. Flames' goalie Mikka Kiprusoff said that after the first season it wasn't too much of a factor:
"The first period was pretty windy. I had to put in something after the first period, put more clothes on, but we had a lot of great stuff here to use. The last two periods, the second and third I felt all right."
Kiprusoff's teammate Rene Bourque spoke of the general vibe of the game:
"I think it's right up there with playing your first game, scoring your first goal, things like that. It's just fun to be part of this and playing in front of these people, especially when you're sitting on the bench and you're looking out and seeing 40,000 people."
Calgary captain Jarome Iginla praised the courage of the fans, most of whom waiting continue until the end of the game:
"I hope some people to go home. I can imagine how cold they were. They didn't get to warm up the way we do, but they were there to the finish having a wonderful time."
The Flames vaulted into sixth place in the Western Conference with the success, though that's far from safe in the firmly packed West playoff race. They'll play their next three games at home, albeit beside some tough foes with the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues coming to town. Montreal will finish up their West Coast street trip with a game at Vancouver on Tuesday night before frequenting home for games later this week against Toronto and Atlanta.
About the Author:
Daniel Scott is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on price per head. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and pay per head sites. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.
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