Conklin set to make history in '2009 Winter Classic'

Jan 1, 2009 - 5:28 AM By Brian Fitzsimmons PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

By now, you know the hockey world is buzzing with anticipation for the "2009 Winter Classic" because of its marketable setting at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Several months following last season's outdoor game at Ralph Wilson Stadium generated successful television ratings, the media began its attempt to recapture that identical allure by promoting the reigning Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and the back-from-the-dead Chicago Blackhawks.

Even though Thursday's contest is more than a novelty act comprised of two longtime rivals battling for first place in the second contest of a home-and-home series, all eyes should be on Red Wings goaltender Ty Conklin.

After all, it will be a historic game for the 32-year-old career backup netminder.

A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Conklin will become the only player in NHL history to skate in all three of league's outdoor games.

Conklin enters as one of only two players - along with current Montreal Canadiens enforcer Georges Laraque - to have participated in both of the previous regular-season unique events.

He was stationed in between the pipes for the Edmonton Oilers when they lost to the Canadiens, 4-3, in the Heritage Classic at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium on November 22, 2003.

"It's a lot easier to play when it's not minus-20 (degrees)," Conklin said. "You know, they were both neat and they are both a lot different to be honest with you. I think the one in Edmonton, as well, was really cold. Tough conditions."

In the wake of Pittsburgh starter Marc-Andre Fleury's injury, Conklin was able to start for the Penguins in their 2-1 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres in a snowy atmosphere during the AMP Energy Winter Classic last January 1 in Orchard Park, New York.

"I think it might have got lost a little bit in Edmonton, just because it was so new and so much was made out of it," Conklin said. "I think those two points were a little bit closer on everybody's mind when we played Buffalo last year."

Currently, Detroit's Chris Osgood is still sidelined with a lingering groin injury and Red Wings coach Mike Babcock has named Conklin as the starter for the New Year's matinee tilt between the two Western Conference juggernauts.

"You know, everything was so new, I think what gets lost a lot of times is that there's actually two points available," Conklin said. "You know, Chicago is not far behind us right now. They are not far back, and they are playing as good as anybody these days. That's going to be an important game, and it's going to be an important two points, too. I think that's something that gets lost a bit."

Conklin recorded 36 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Red Wings pulled six points ahead of the Blackhawks in the Central Division with a 4-0 triumph on Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena. Conklin improved to 6-0-0 in his career against them.

Trying to stymie the offensive-minded Blackhawks and their young duo of captain Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in frozen conditions will be a whole other test for Conklin, a six-year NHL veteran.

"You have to do different things to stay involved in the game and to keep yourself sharp mentally," Conklin said of preparing for temperatures that are supposed to be in the low 30s. "I'm sure that staying warm will be another challenge."

That may be, but it's nothing he hasn't done before.