DETROIT — The NHL will finally make it official Thursday when it’s announced that Michigan Stadium will be the host for the 2013 Winter Classic on Jan. 1, pitting the Wings against another Original Six member, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I don’t know if this one game will sway me to come back or not,” Lidstrom smiled. “I think it’s great for the fans, great for Detroit and great for the state of Michigan that they’re doing it. It will be a great atmosphere.”
It’ll be the second Winter Classic for the Wings, who played the Chicago Blackhawks in 2009 at Wrigley Field, and first for the Leafs.
“You’re in the hands of the weather,” Franzen said. “If it’s nice weather, like it was in Wrigley, then it’s a good day. If it’s snowing then it’s a guessing game out there. You just have to try and find the puck. It’ll be low goal scoring and probably not that fun to watch. If the weather’s nice it’ll be a great day.
“At Wrigley the best atmosphere was walking out to the ice,” Franzen added. “Once you’re out there you’re far from them, not as tight as it would be at a regular rink. I don’t know how it’s going to be at a football stadium. I don’t know if it’s going to be better, but maybe. It’ll be loud for sure, if we do something good.”
The first news conference will take place at Comerica Park at 10:30 a.m. and then head over to Michigan Stadium at 1:15 p.m.
