Charles Krupa, The Associated Press)
As each New Year's Day approaches, Larry Quinn chuckles at the memory of how the Buffalo Sabres landed the NHL's first Winter Classic.
"We got it in Buffalo because no one was willing to take the risk," the Sabres' former managing partner said. "There was a lot of trepidation. Could we sell out? What would the weather be like? Could we actually build the ice?"
Check. Check. And check.
What began Jan. 1, 2008, as a snow-globe spectacle at a jam-packed Ralph Wilson Stadium — and capped by Sidney Crosby scoring the shootout winner in Pittsburgh's 2-1 victory over the Sabres — has turned into a broadcast bonanza for the NHL and TV partner NBC.