Top Moments in the National Hockey League in 2011 -NHL Special
The year 2011 is coming to a close and was a memorable one for the National Hockey League (NHL) indeed. There were many sad moments and at the same time, surprising and exciting ones as well.
Looking back at the year, it is safe to say that it was one of the most thrilling one in recent years and will always be part of the history which makes this sport one of the best.
Discussing what went on this year, there are too many things to simply mention in one go, we will rather stick to the ones that had a huge impact on our lives as fans and spectators of the sport we love to watch and follow.
Wayne Gretzky’s 50th Birthday
Wayne Gretzky, also known as the “Great One”, in the world of hockey, will always be known as one of the best to ever play in the sport. This year, he completed half a century by celebrating his 50th birthday on January 26, 2011, which was certainly
an event fans looked forward to witnessing.
Birthday wishes for Gretzky came from all over North America and the world as people remembered how he made the sport of ice hockey what it is today with his charismatic playing abilities and the capacity to be a legend like those in other sports.
Wayne Gretzky was and is the Michael Jordan of hockey and will always be a major part of the game.
Calgary Flames shutout Montreal Canadiens in 2011 NHL Heritage Classic
The NHL Heritage Classic is one of those events which have fans waiting all year long in order to witness and when it does come around, there is just so much excitement that at some times it is hard to control.
The Heritage Classic was back in Canada, a country which lives and breathes hockey, in which two teams, the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens, went head-to-head in a specially created ice hockey rink which had over 40,000 fans come over night from all
over the country and root for their favourite team.
Calgary got the best of Montreal by shutting them out, 4-0, and two days in extremely cold weather proved how dedicated the fans and players were to put on a historic show.
"I expected some people to go home," Calgary's captain Jarome Iginla said after the event came to an end. "I can imagine how cold they were. They didn't get to warm up the way we do, but they were there to the end having a great time."
Terry Pegula taking over Buffalo Sabres ownership
Buffalo Sabres were considered weak and unable to perform up to expectations, that is, until Terry Pegula came along. The Pennsylvanian billionaire bid for the team and was successful in his purchasing attempt and vowed to change the club around in terms
of performance and standing in the league.
Looking at the Sabres nearly a year, we see that he was not lying when he said that the new ownership will do everything and anything possible.
Buffalo now stands as one of the most competitive teams in the NHL and certainly has the potential to go very far as the season continues to progress.
It will certainly be exciting to see how Pegula and his new management can keep the team going.
To be continued in Part 2....
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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