Bruins Reportedly Will Host '10 NHL Winter Classic At Fenway

Boston Reportedly Wins Bid For '10 Winter Classic Over New York, Philadelphia

The Bruins "will host the NHL's Winter Classic outdoor hockey game against an unnamed opponent Jan. 1 at Fenway Park," according to sources cited by gossip columnists Fee & Raposa of the BOSTON HERALD. Sources said that the NHL has "given its blessing to a 2010 New Year's Day game" in the city, "choosing Boston over New York and Philadelphia." NHL reps had "visited all three cities and, in Boston, looked at both Fenway and Gillette Stadium." However, scheduling around "any Patriots post-season play was a tricky proposition." Earlier reports indicated that the Bruins' "most likely opponent would be ... either the Canadiens or the Rangers," but sources said that the visiting team "hasn't been chosen yet" (BOSTON HERALD, 4/9).

FIRE & ICE: In Pittsburgh, Joe Starkey writes, "The NHL's on fire. Partly by luck, partly by design, the league everyone loves to bash is producing a consistently entertaining product that is attracting increased numbers of paying customers and television viewers." In the U.S., TV ratings are "up from last season on NBC" by 10% and on Versus by 23%. In Canada, ratings are "up on CBC, TSN and French-language RDS." Local ratings for 21 of the 30 teams are "up from or even with last season." Also, a "full 17 of the league's 30 teams are playing to 95[%] capacity or better, compared to 14 last year, despite the terrible economy." Starkey writes the '04-05 lockout "forced the NHL to take a long, hard look at itself," and the league "emerged radically different and much improved." The NHL also has been "blessed with an influx of electric young talent over the past four years," and the league is "alive and well" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 4/9).