Flames Top Canadiens In Nhl Heritage Classic
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.
Despite the unique venue it was business as usual for NHL betting enthusiasts and those who backed the Flames as -145 home favorites cashed their tickets with the win. Takeback on Montreal was +125. The four goals scored went UNDER the posted total of 5' -130. It's been mostly OVER verdicts for the Flames lately-Sunday's total ended a streak of 5 straight OVERs with 7 of Calgary's last nine games exceeding the total. The Canadiens have now gone UNDER in their last four games.
The betting lines on the game may have been fairly typical but the Heritage Classic did provide hockey handicappers with the unique experience of factoring the weather into their analysis. Not surprisingly 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 feel like 2 degrees F. Flames' goalie Mikka Kiprusoff said that after the first period it wasn't too much of a factor:
"The first season was pretty windy. I had to add something after the first period, put more clothes on, but we had a lot of good stuff here to employ. The last two periods, the second and third I felt all right."
Kiprusoff's teammate Rene Bourque spoke of the overall 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 amusing to be part of this and playing in front of these people, mainly when you're sitting on the bench and you're looking out and seeing 40,000 people."
Calgary captain Jarome Iginla praised the fortitude of the fans, most of whom stayed 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 victory, though that's far from secure in the tightly packed West playoff race. They'll play their next three games at home, albeit against some tough foes with the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues coming to town. Montreal will finish up their West Coast road trip with a game at Vancouver on Tuesday night before returning home for games later this week against Toronto and Atlanta.
Despite the unique venue it was business as usual for NHL betting enthusiasts and those who backed the Flames as -145 home favorites cashed their tickets with the win. Takeback on Montreal was +125. The four goals scored went UNDER the posted total of 5' -130. It's been mostly OVER verdicts for the Flames lately-Sunday's total ended a streak of 5 straight OVERs with 7 of Calgary's last nine games exceeding the total. The Canadiens have now gone UNDER in their last four games.
The betting lines on the game may have been fairly typical but the Heritage Classic did provide hockey handicappers with the unique experience of factoring the weather into their analysis. Not surprisingly 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 feel like 2 degrees F. Flames' goalie Mikka Kiprusoff said that after the first period it wasn't too much of a factor:
"The first season was pretty windy. I had to add something after the first period, put more clothes on, but we had a lot of good stuff here to employ. The last two periods, the second and third I felt all right."
Kiprusoff's teammate Rene Bourque spoke of the overall 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 amusing to be part of this and playing in front of these people, mainly when you're sitting on the bench and you're looking out and seeing 40,000 people."
Calgary captain Jarome Iginla praised the fortitude of the fans, most of whom stayed 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 victory, though that's far from secure in the tightly packed West playoff race. They'll play their next three games at home, albeit against some tough foes with the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues coming to town. Montreal will finish up their West Coast road trip with a game at Vancouver on Tuesday night before returning 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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