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Four other Red Wings games were officially announced by the National Hockey League today including the Wings and Chicago Blackhawks facing off in the third regular-season outdoor game in League history on New Years Day 2009 at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. The NHL also announced the three at-large games provided by this year’s new scheduling system. The new format has Detroit facing all Eastern Conference foes at least once and three Eastern teams twice next season. Those three teams that will play a home-and-home series vs. Detroit are Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Atlanta.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - RED WINGS TO PLAY BLACKHAWKS AT HISTORIC WRIGLEY FIELD IN NHL WINTER CLASSIC ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field in the NHL Winter Classic 2009 on New Year’s Day. The Wings and Blackhawks have played more regular-season games against each other than any other pair of NHL teams. The record 701st all-time meeting of the clubs at the venerable Wrigley Field will begin at 1 p.m., ET/Noon CT.
NHL Winter Classic 2009 will be the second regular-season outdoor NHL game played in the United States (the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium last New Year’s Day) and the third regular-season outdoor game in League history (the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium Nov. 22, 2003). The Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings boast an All-Star roster that includes Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk, Chris Osgood and newly acquired Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks boast one of the most talented young lineups in the NHL, including the tandem of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews along with their own free-agent addition: All-Star defenseman Brian Campbell.
"The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "We thank Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough for their vision. We thank Mike Ilitch and the Red Wings for their cooperation. And we thank Mayor Daley, in advance, for the warm welcome we know the City of Chicago will extend to our newest tradition.
“We also acknowledge the interest and efforts of the New York Yankees and the City of New York throughout the NHL Winter Classic 2009 site selection process,” Commissioner Bettman said. “We look forward to continuing discussions regarding the possibility of playing a future Winter Classic game at the new Yankee Stadium."
NBC will provide live broadcast coverage of the game in the U.S. In Canada, CBC and RDS will televise the event live. NHL Radio will provide coverage for radio stations across North America and XM Satellite Radio, and NHL.com will provide extensive digital video coverage. More detail on the Winter Classic will be announced soon. |
Red Wings News 
Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom, center, shares the Stanley Cupwith his teammates after Detroit defeated Pittsburgh in Game 6. (Photo: AP)