Classic

The third installment of the NHL's Winter Classic went off without a hitch, unless you're a Blackhawks fan.

One thing that struck me while watching the game is that the Winter Classic always has an exhibition game feel to it. This year's was no different: Wrigley Field, outdoors, people sitting on apartment rooftops to get a look at throwback uniforms and players on the bench wearing toques.

It was cool to see Bobby Hull, Ted Lindsay, Stan Mikita, and a bunch of other old-timers show up. The "3rd period stretch" of Take Me Out to the Hockey Game was hokey, but the crowd dug it.

As spectacle, the Winter Classic is great. Then halfway through the game you realize that there's two points on the line and the game is for real.

The Red Wings knew it. They struggled early on, going down 3-1 in the first period. Then they turned up their game, controlled the puck for next two periods, and won 6-4. The Blackhawks' fourth goal came with only seconds left, making the game seem a lot closer than it was.

The Blackhawks had better learn something from this. Chicago was on a 9-game winning streak and riding high until running into the Red Wings. In the back-to-back series the Wings took them to school and outscored them 10-4.

Youth, meet experience.

Photo: Yahoo Sports