Top 9s - Future Outdoor Classics

Now that another successful NHL Outdoor Classic is in the books, our thoughts turn to where else could this game be played? More than the Stanley Cup or All-Star game - nothing galvanizes interest in hockey across North America on a one-day basis like this game (my lord, it was even trending well on twitter yesterday).

Let’s take inventory - they’ve done Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo in Rich Stadium, Montreal vs. Edmonton in Commonwealth Stadium, Detroit vs. Chicago in Wrigley Field and now Philadelphia vs. Boston in Fenway Park.   So where to next? Here’s are our top 9 suggestions:

1. The Big Apple Game - Central Park, New York City - The Rangers vs. The Islanders

Forget Yankee Stadium and its $30 hot dogs, why not have a game in the freshest air of New York smack dab in Central Park. If  1.7 million people are willing to see a Garth Brooks concert here, surely hockey could establish a similarly large beachhead on the media capital of the world.

2. Old Time Pond Hockey - The Rideau Canal, Ottawa - The Senators vs. The Leafs

The Battle of Ontario is back on and this time on the world’s longest ice rink and UNESCO Heritage Site. Ottawa is also the historical home to Lord Stanley - whose donated cup from 1892 is the most recognizable trophy in sports and given to the NHL champions each year.

3. The Cheesehead Legends Game - Lambeau Field, Green Bay - The Wild vs. The Black Hawks

If you are going to have something called the Heritage Classic each year, don’t you have to doff a cap to your football cousins and host a game at Bart Lombardi’s shrine. Imagine the same guys going shirtless at wintry Packer games coming out for hockey - pure tailgating magic.

4. The Michigan/Ohio Grudge Match - Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor - The Red Wings vs. The Columbus Blue Jackets

9 years ago, the Michigan State Spartans hosted the largest outdoor hockey match ever played until then with their cross-state rivals - the dreaded Michigan Wolverines. Result -  they overfilled the stadium with over 74,000 puckheads for a college hockey game . This time, we would bring back the ghosts of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler and have Ohio square off against Michigan in the much bigger 107,000 seat “Big Hosue” Michigan Stadium.

5. The Hammer & Sickle Game - Red Square, Moscow - Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals vs. Kovalchuk’s Atlanta Thrashers

What better way to provide international detente then to host a game in the middle of Moscow with two of NHL’s most exciting players. Check out the sitelines here too. Plus, you know Putin would want to put on a good show.

6. The Olympic Game - Whistler Village, British Columbia - Vancouver Canucks vs.Calgary Flames

1988 Olympic host meet 2010 Olympic host in one of the most idyllic winter settings on the planet.

7. The Obama Game - Washington Monument, D.C. - Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers

The pool in front of Washington Mounment is a perfect venue for the ice classic - having Lincoln preside over the game provide a distinctive US stamp of approval on the game south of the border.

8. Hockey Goes Hollywood -  L.A. Coliseum, Los Angeles - Los Angeles Kings vs. The Anaheim Ducks

Believe or not, there was an outdoor exhibition game held between the Kings and Rangers back in1991 at Caesar’s Palace in Vegas. Have a read on the hijinx they had to overcome.  Where there is a will there is a way-plus with 18 years of additional technology- there has to be a way to do it.  Just imagine Hollywood’s reigning elite (Nicholson, the Baldwins, Cruise, Denzel, and that annoying cast from Twilight) coming out to watch a game of shinny in LA Kings classic colours.

9. The Roch Carrier Home and Home Rivalry - Rogers Centre, Toronto  and Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens

The cradle of hockey in the civilized world  - these two have been sparring for the last 80 + years against each other with a very popular NFB cartoon “The Sweater” speaking about hockey as religion in these parts. It’s shame that the sheen off the “Heritage” idea is taken off by holding these in semi-domed stadiums - but imagine a Friday night game in one city followed by a Sunday afternoon game in the other. The most patriotic Canadian event since our new flag in 1967.

Polar Bear Swim Toronto

Photo courtesy Rick Bogasz

Get your mid-winter swim gear on and prepare to watch all your parts shrink and puff up as you ring in the new year by a “dash of insanity”.

For the brave of heart, here’s where to ring in no, rather take the plunge into a new decade just a little bit differently:

The Polar Bear Swim Club (in support of Habitat for Humanity) Sunnyside Park - 11:30am registration and 12:00pm dip - free blanket for all participants

Polar Bear Dip (in support of World Visions) Coronation Park, Oakville - 12:30pm-3pm - dip at 2pm sharp - the 25th anniversary of Canada’s biggest

Clarington Polar Bear Swim (in support of Sick Kids) - Newcastle Waterfront - 2pm dip - 10th anniversary - first 80 pledgers get a prize pack

If you start to like this a lot, there is a slightly insane group who likes to do this winter round too.

Forecast calls for scattered flurries and -2 degrees Celsius, although with a slight wind and few clothes on, who knows what that will really feel like.

Some smart advice ahead of time:

• Footwear you can wear in the water
• Towel(s)
• Blanket(s)
• Warm clothes to wear before and after the dip
• A friend to help should you require assistance
• A good place to shower and scrub off Lake Ontario afterwards
• if any medical condition puts you in doubt, consult a doctor or merely gawk and donate

Gen Go Picks - Canadian Olympic Hockey Teams #1, #2 and #3

Every 4 years, it’s a ritual rite of passage for every Canadian to second guess the Olympic Canadian brass for their picks of the Olympic men’s hockey team.

When the baseline expectation is that Canada will win the gold medal - it does leave a glass empty feeling about who should have made the team and who should have been left off.

Well, at Generation GO - we have not only complied the stats and stated our thoughts on the Yzerman’s first team but also that of our own second and third.

Seeting some of the intangibles aside, the real misses I see are not tapping Washington’s Mike Green vs. the chosen Brent Seabrook,  Brad Richards or Mike Cammalleri vs. the chosen Patrice Bergeron and Dustin Penner vs. Brendan Morrow. However, it’s splitting hairs and even if you did choose differently, at most these players are going to see 12-14 minutes per game if not just sit in the press box.

Based on our rosters below, Canada could easily field three gold medal teams in the Olympics, here are there cumulative year-to-date stats and rosters:

Canada’s Players. G…. A ..PTS..+/-..Shots..GW..Ave Minutes Per Game
Team Canada #1 246 422 668 110 2107 36 22:18
Team Canada #2 199 362 561 94 2063 31 20:55
Team Canada #3 181 309 480 17 1503 20 20:00

Canada’s Goalies W Save% GAA SO
Team Canada #1 66 0.917 2.28 6
Team Canada #2 28 0.900 3.00 4
Team Canada #3 35 0.910 2.74 0

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Generation Go This Week: Dec 14th - Dec 20th, 2009

Courtesy of www.insidesocal.com

Olympic Torch Relay: This is an event you do not want to miss! Come by Nathan Phillips Square this Thursday and see the Olympic torch make its way through Toronto. The event is free and occurs at 6 pm.

Holiday Jam: Is a benefit for Sick Kids. Here you will see performances by Kathleen Edwards, Sarah Harmer, Sam Roberts and others. Show begins at 8 pm and ticket prices are $39.50.

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Generation Go: Gear And Things- REI

Courtesy of alpe-rjavina.si

Marmot Frontside 3-in-1 Jacket: This is a great waterproof and breathable snowboard coat.  Its insulating, removable fleece liner jacket provides extra warmth on cold days. Price is $275.00.

North Face Nuptse: The warm Nuptse jacket from the North Face can be worn on its own in cold, dry conditions or as a layer of warmth under a waterproof shell in wet weather. This down jacket retails for $199.00.

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Generation Go Neighbourhoods: The Junction

Courtesy of IT Ceremony on Flickr

The Junction is one of Toronto’s best hidden gems.  In past years it has had a reputation for being dirty and under developed.  But Generation Go dug deep and we noticed this area has tons of stuff to see and do and is quite developed.  Here are our top picks for the best of The Junction.

Boulderz Climbing Centre: Located at 1444 Dupont Street, Boulberz is the place to be if you like rock climbing.  They have a really decent selection of high wall options as well as some good boulder runs.  The facility is clean and well maintained. They offer classes to beginners and professionals.

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Generation Go: Skating Rink Hunt

Courtesy of www.city.whitehorse.yk

With the snowfall we just had last night, it’s only a matter of time before we are all skating on our favourite outdoor rinks.  Here are Generation Go’s top 10 picks this week focusing on Toronto East.  Keep Active!

Christie Pits Park:                          779 Crawford Street

Dieppe Park:                                   455 Cosburn Avenue

Dufferin Grove:                                875 Dufferin Street

Greenwood:                                    150 Greenwood Avenue

Harry Gairey:                                   707 Dundas West

Kew Gardens:                                 2075 Queen Street East

Nathan Phillips Square:               100 Queen Street West

Ramsden Park:                              1020 Yonge Street

Riverdale Park East:                      550 Broadview Avenue

Trinity Bellwoods:                           790 Queen West

Generation Go: Best Hockey Quotes

i49.photobucket.com

“How would you like a job where, every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?”
-Jacques Plante.

“All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.”
-Gordie Howe

 ”I’m not dumb enough to be a goalie.”
-Brett Hull

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Generation Go This Week: Dec 7th - Dec 13th, 2009

Courtesy of thedctraveler.com

DJ SK8 Nights at Harbourfront Centre: Bring your whole family down to the Natrel rink for a free family skate.  The event runs Saturday’s beginning at 8pm.  The location of the event is at 235 Queens Quay West.

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Generation Go: Gear And Things- Save More Sports Store

Courtesy of www.huntingscentprotection.com

The Canadian Jac Shirt: This item has just arrived. Made with mostly recycled wool, this jacket is sure to keep you warm while your outdoors this winter.

Red Plaid Flying Hat:  This sleek and stylish hat has the classic red and black plaid design that is associated with outdoor gear. To ensure your warmth is it also fitted with a fur lining around the forehead area. 

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