View My Seats

At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

Photo Credit for Header: Alex Foucre-Stimes

Soldier Field Turns Into a Real Life Snow Globe

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As a Patriot fan, I couldn’t ask for much more. New England goes to Chicago and destroys the NFC North leading Bears 36-7 while back east, Miami surprises the Jets by a final score of 10-6.  The Pats have now clinched an AFC playoff berth and lead the AFC East by two with only three games remaining in the regular season.

Watching the blizzard unfold in Soldier Field today was a lot like flying through space on the Millennium Falcon.  (Star Wars note: I always wondered how it was possible that they never crashed into a planet or star while in hyperdrive.) This view comes from Laura, a Patriot fan who flew out to Chicago for the game and will not by traveling home disappointed. Different story for my wife’s family, who are from Chicago and have supported the Bears since before George Halas.

So Chicago, Bears still the favorites to win the NFC North or is today a harbinger for things to come? Share your views.

“The Garden Has Some Serious Juice”

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These were the immortal words of viewmyseats own Dave after attending today’s Knicks matinee in Madison Square Garden. With Sunday’s 129-125 win over Denver, New York extends their win streak to 8 games and raises their season record to a formidable 16-9.

This is a crucial week for the Knicks as the Celtics come to town Wednesday, followed by Lebron and the Heat on Friday night.  Dave and his brother are lucky enough to have tickets to Friday nights contest against Miami.  I was hoping to stumble upon a ticket myself but as Mike Francesa continues to remind me, there is “huuuge, repeat huuuge” demand for seats.  Fear not, VMS will still be well represented.

Anyone else fortunate enough to have tickets to the Knicks/Heat Friday night? Share your views.

Somebody Left the Faucet Running in the Big House

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Growing up, we had a pond in our backyard that would freeze every winter and I would invite all my friends over for pond hockey.  I had a group of about 8 or so close friends and I was the only one who did not play for the varsity hockey team (I happened to be a proud member of the basketball team instead).  Needless to say, for me, pond hockey was never about being good but rather all about being outside and enjoying the winter elements with a group of buddies.

One of my favorite parts about playing pond hockey were the snowbanks that served as our out of bounds markers/boards.  Since I was not what you would call a “strong skater”, the snowbanks became my only means of stopping.  I can remember spending more time on my backside in a snowbank than actually skating on the pond.  Nevertheless, I have incredibly fond memories of playing pond hockey which is one of the reasons why I enjoy watching outdoor hockey games today.

Yesterday, a record 113,411 people packed into Michigan Stadium to watch the Wolverines take on their cross state rivals Michigan State in a hockey game dubbed “The Big Chill in the Big House”.  This was the largest crowd to ever watch an outdoor hockey game.  It was also the largest crowd to see any event in Michigan Stadium, including football.

Outdoor hockey has a ton of momentum right now.  HBO is about to air the “24/7: Road to the Winter Classic” which will preview the New Year’s Day NHL game outside in Heinz Field between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals. The Winter Classic has become must watch TV and a very nice lead into the Rose Bowl later that afternoon. The question that should be asked is why wouldn’t the NHL and NCAA schedule more games outside?

Thanks to my friend @dgstern6 for the view.  As a “Michigan Man” he would have loved to watch the game but unfortunately he was busy changing a flat tire in New Jersey. Jersey City is a long way from Ann Arbor buddy!!!

Share your views.

Just Your Typical Friday Night in Newark Delaware

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By now, most viewers are aware that I grew up in New Hampshire and while I did not attend UNH, I have become somewhat of a Wildcat booster.  Last night, the UNH football team lost by a score of 16-3 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I Football Championship to the #5 ranked Delaware Blue Hens.  The game was nationally televised on ESPN2 so for many people around the country this was perhaps their first exposure to either program.

Looking at this view carefully it seems that Delaware Stadium was not quite filled to capacity. If you go the University of Delaware, or just plain live in “The First State”, what could you possibly be doing on a Friday night in December that would have prevented you from going to this game?

Two things I know about Delaware: 1) Dogfish Head beer is brewed in Milton 2) the mud used to “rub up” MLB baseballs come from the Delaware River. So unless you were out having a pint in Rehoboth Beach or trolling a tributary for valuable dirt, you have no excuse and you should have gone to the game. Joe Flacco is very disappointed. Share your views.

View My Picks: Week 14 Edition

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Indianapolis (-3) over TENNESSEE: I thought I would enjoy the recent Peyton Manning fall from grace much more than I actually am.

JACKSONVILLE (-4) over Oakland: This is your classic “west coast team travels across the country for a 1pm starts and gets blown out by two touchdowns” game.  Either that or the Raiders will win two in a row on the road. What the heck do I know.

Cincinnati (+8.5) over PITTSBURGH: Is it just me or do these two teams play each other at least 4 times a season?  If true, how is this allowed?

New England (-3) over CHICAGO: The more people that call this a “trap game” for the Patriots the more unlikely an outcome it becomes. Right?

BUFFALO (-1) over Cleveland: If the Bills were not in the AFC East I think they could become my second favorite team in the NFL. Hard nosed city, Ivy League QB, and the best throwback uniforms in the league.

NY Giants (-2.5) over MINNESOTA: Sounds like the Twin Cities have begun talking themselves into the Tarvaris Jackson era again….for the third time.

Green Bay Packers (-6.5) over DETROIT: Ndamukong Suh is a baaaaaaaaaaad man.

Atlanta (-7) over CAROLINA: Why are the Falcons only favored by 7 points? Is Bobby Hebert quarterbacking for Atlanta?

WASHINGTON (+2) over Tampa Bay:  Albert Haynesworth. Nobody feels sorry for you. Nobody.

ST. LOUIS (+9) over New Orleans: For the record, I was in on the Rams winning the NFC West way before it became popular.

Seattle (+5.5) over SAN FRANCISCO:  I would really prefer if neither of these teams made the playoffs.

NY JETS (-5.5) over Miami:  This game was a lot more fun to watch in the late ’80s when a Dan Marino led Dolphins team would beat a Ken O’Brien led Jets team by a final score of 64-61.

Denver (-5.5) over ARIZONA: Interim head coaches just don’t lose their first game.

SAN DIEGO (-7) over Kansas City: Poor Matt Cassel. Anytime I have a sharp pain in my stomach I always assume an appendectomy is forthcoming.

Philadelphia (-3.5) over DALLAS: Who’s been more valuable to their team this season: Michael Vick or Tom Brady?

Baltimore (-3) over HOUSTON: First weekend of my fantasy football playoffs.  Arian Foster needs to have himself a big week for the “Maple Syrup Conglomerate” to advance into round 2.

Last Week: 8-8