The NHL doesn’t do marketing well in general but whoever came up with playing hockey outdoors deserves a pat on the back.

The Original: Habs/Oilers

From the day the Heritage Classic was staged in 2003 the NHL hit a winner. The inaugural game starred the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens. The Habs won 4-3 before 57 167 fans at Commonwealth Stadium (where the Edmonton Eskimos play) in Edmonton. Last year, Buffalo hosted a successful snowy game at Ralph Wilson Stadium (home of the Buffalo Bills) between the hometown Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens won 2-1 in a shoot-out (winner scored by Sidney Crosby) after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw through regulation and overtime before 71 217 fans.

For 2009, the NHL headed t0 Chicago’s Wrigley Field - home to many great sports moments (mostly in baseball involving the Cubs. You know, Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Kerry Woods, some Division titles etc.) for a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the defending Stanley Cup champions Detroit Red Wings. The game will mark the 701st meeting between the two historic Original Six franchises.

Detroit holds the lead with 355 wins, 254 losses and 84 ties (remember those?). In the playoffs, Chicago holds a 38-31 lead and won eight of 14 series between the two. Detroit have won 11 Stanley Cups with last year being their most recent. Chicago have three in their trophy case. The third one was earned in 1961 - against their rivals from Detroit winning that series in six games.

From Howe to Lindsay, Hall to Makita, Hull to Delvecchio, Pilote to Sawchuk, Yzerman to Savard, a new generation is set to lead this rivalry into another era with the likes of Kane, Toews, Zetterberg and Datsyuk.

The 2009 edition of the Winter Classic showcased the established aristocratic Red Wings nobility against the up and coming innovative Blackhawks bourgeoisie.

By the time it was all over, the upstart Blackhawks  lost their fourth game against their Red Winged rivals so far this season by a score of 6-4 before 40 818 faithful (figuratively speaking given there were Wings fans in attendance) supporters.

On to New York’s Yankees stadium for next season’s Winter Classic!

PS: Not a peep or boo during the singing of ‘O, Canada.’