Winter Classic 2014: Excellent Sign? 'No Complaints' About Alumni Games Ice!

While the Alumni Showdown events intend on in downtown Detroit, some 45 minutes or higher away from the Big House inside Ann Arbor, there is one big positive to come out of Tuesday's festivities: the ice very good.

Perhaps that is even understating concerns. The ice is about as well as you could possibly expect on an outdoor rink. Considering the elements are just a comparable between Detroit and Ann Arbor, that can only be a positive regarding the Winter Classic Wednesday at this Big House.

There was nary a problem to come out of the Alumni Showdown's first sport on Tuesday.

'I thought this ice was great. It's got somewhat different feel to it outdoors nevertheless it feels a little harder and also a small slipperier,' Maple_Leafs alum Tom Fergus described. 'I was willing for nowadays and it didn't sadden.'

Red Berenson was just like complimentary and he knows  any thing or three about outdoor ice. Berenson has coached the university of Michigan in four games outdoors over the season and he was impressed.

'I imagine the temperature was perfect, this ice was excellent, ' Berenson stated. 'I've been involved inside 4 outdoor games, I have to state this was the best ice that we have had. There had been no complaints, it was Quick.'

Again, this does not mean that we will have the same exact ice ailments in Ann Arbor but it is just a pretty good sign and any point for optimism. The Winter Classic is the great scene and a heck associated with an atmosphere but doesn't always develop the best hockey with a lot of times the ice conditions to pin the consequence on. With temperatures well below very cold this week in Michigan, that won't be as big of an issue this time around. At least in Detroit, it has not been.

All indications out of Ann Arbor hold the ice there being up to the same standard. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock stated on Tuesday following the team praciticed at Michigan Stadium which he wasn't worried about the things one bit. Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier, which will get the start for Toronto, also saw no issues with this Big House ice.

Basically, it might be a best case scenario with all the playing surface, assuming at least doesn't necessarily snow too much.

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