Interesting Statistics About The Winter Classic

The NHL released some interesting figures regarding the Winter Classic this morning. Here is the release in its entirety...


2011 BRIDGESTONE NHL WINTER CLASSIC BY THE NUMBERS

Firmly established as a New Year’s Day tradition among fans, the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will mark the fourth consecutive season the NHL has played a regular-season outdoor game on New Year’s Day. The BuffaloSabres hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium on New Year’s Day 2008, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day 2009 and the Boston Bruins hosted the Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park on New Year’s Day 2010.

Two of the NHL’s biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, bring their rivalry to the big stage of the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. Their rivalry has blossomed into one of the most intriguing individual matchups in all of sports. Both No. 1 overall draft choices (Ovechkin 2004 and Crosby 2005), the superstars have been linked since they entered the League at the same time at the beginning of the 2005-06 NHL season.

Below is a look at the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic “By the Numbers”:

0 Commercial time available on NBC’s NHL Winter Classic broadcast

1 Cable cam will be utilized in NBC’s coverage, a first for an NHL game

3D The NHL Winter Classic will be broadcast in 3D worldwide

4 Webisodes Geico will create from the “Caveman’s” appearance at the
NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza fan festival

5 Year extension of its NHL deal signed by Bridgestone, title sponsor
of the Winter Classic

17 Hours of NHL Network live coverage of NHL Winter Classic activities

20 Percentage sponsorship revenue increase over last year’s NHL Winter
Classic

22 Million dollars of economic impact to the city of Pittsburgh,
according to VisitPittsburgh

25 Game scoring streak by Sidney Crosby. This is longest streak in the
NHL since Quebec's Mats Sundin had a point in 30 straight games during the
1992-93 season.

31 Percentage increase in traffic to NHL.com last year over 2009 Classic

37 Commercial spots have been bought by NHL sponsors on NBC’s broadcast,
up from 28 last year

38 The rink build at Heinz Field began Dec. 23, 38 years to the day of
the “Immaculate Reception” by Franco Harris in the 1972 Steelers-Oakland
Raiders AFC Championship Game

53 Length, in feet, of the world’s largest mobile rink refrigeration
unit, specially built for the NHL Winter Classic

66 Number worn by NHL legend Mario Lemieux, playing in the Dec. 31
alumni game at Heinz Field

76 Broadcast cameras (all networks) will capture all the NHL Winter
Classic action at Heinz Field including a cable cam and an airplane cam

300 Ton capacity of refrigeration trailer that will keep the ice cool at
Heinz Field

350 Gallons of paint to make Heinz Field ice white

498 Combined career goals scored by Alex Ovechkin (283) and Sidney Crosby
(215) in 844 career games

571 Points accumulated by both Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby
individually in career regular-season NHL games

2003 The Heritage Classic is played in Edmonton between the Oilers and the
Montreal Canadiens, the first NHL outdoor game in history

2008 The first NHL Winter Classic is played in Buffalo between the Sabres
and Pittsburgh Penguins, with Sidney Crosby netting the game-winner in a
shootout

3,000 Gallons of coolant used to freeze the Heinz Field rink

5,000 Square foot temporary Winter Classic store created by Dick’s Sporting
Goods in Pittsburgh leading into the event

10,000 Gallons of water needed to create a one-inch deep ice surface
on Heinz Field

30,000 Fans from the Washington D.C. area are scheduled to make the
trip to Pittsburgh for the NHL Winter Classic

38,000 NHL Winter Classic jerseys sold thus far

68,000 Approximate number of fans will attend the NHL Winter Classic
at Heinz Field (subject to change)

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass