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Hockey at Wrigley? Wings Beat Blackhawks

Chicago falls to Detroit on iconic home turf

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 1, 2009 4:32 PM CST

(Newser) – Two of the NHL's oldest franchises got together for some old-school outdoors hockey today, with the Detroit Red Wings beating the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4, the Chicago Tribune reports. The league's second annual Winter Classic, staged in a converted Wrigley Field, threw the players plenty of curveballs, from chilly temperatures to last-minute ice repair. “Holy Cow. It’s Cold,” one sign read, a nod to Cubs announcer Harry Caray.

The stadium’s transformation took two weeks, with Wrigley’s iconic scoreboard featuring the day’s NHL matchups and video screens following the puck. Some were concerned that the sun glaring off the ice could pose a problem, but the day stayed overcast. Still, the threat led to an unusual sight: Hockey players imitating their NFL brethren by playing with black smudges beneath their eyes.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (2)]

Fans cheer during the first period of the NHL Winter Classic hockey game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Chicago Blackhawks' Andrew Ladd, right, battles for the puck with Detroit Red Wings' Andreas Lilja during the second period of the NHL Winter Classic. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The Detroit Red Wings practice on the ice at Wrigley Field Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Chicago Blackhawks fans, from left, Shaun Moran, Mike Saineghi and Bill Hickey cheer during the NHL Winter Classic hockey game. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

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A time lapse look at the construction of the hockey rink at the Wrigley Field 2009 Winter Classic. (crazieman76)

Bloomberg reports on the Winter Classic. (Bloomberg)

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Hockey at Wrigley? Wings Beat Blackhawks