Wings, Leafs to meet in 2013 Winter Classic at the Big House

Hockey Betting Lines

02/09/2012 - Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs will play in the 2013 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement Thursday at Comerica Park in Detroit, which will be the host city for the annual event. The home of the Detroit Tigers will also serve as the host for the Hockeytown Winter Festival, a week-long celebration that will lead up to the January 1, 2013 contest.

Michigan Stadium, better known as the Big House, is home to the University of Michigan's football team and is the largest stadium in North America with a seating capacity nearing 110,000.

"Since this outdoor matchup is so big, there is only one place it could be played," Bettman said during Thursday's press conference. "Even with more than 100,000 tickets, we still won't have enough to satisfy the demand."

It will be the sixth Winter Classic, the outdoor series which debuted in 2008 when Pittsburgh defeated Buffalo in a shootout in the snow before an NHL- record 71,217 fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park.

The 2013 matchup will undoubtedly break that mark. Michigan Stadium hosted an outdoor hockey game on December 11, 2010 when 104,173 fans attended a college hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State.

Detroit played in the second edition of the Winter Classic in 2009, notching a 6-4 win over the Blackhawks at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The other Winter Classic games were held at Boston's Fenway Park in 2010, Pittsburgh's Heinz Field in 2011 and Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park this past January.

Each of those games featured only teams based in the United States. The Maple Leafs will be the first team from Canada to play in a Winter Classic.

"This is going to be a fun, fun event and we can't wait to get started," said Tom Anselmi, chief operating officer of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

There have been two Canadian outdoor games -- the first in 2003 when Montreal played at Edmonton and last February when the Canadiens visited Calgary.

In addition to the game itself, the Hockeytown Winter Festival will include an ice rink at Comerica Park that will feature games for every level of hockey -- high school, college, junior and minor pro. The rink at Comerica will also be open for public skating.

"We're committed to making this the best Winter Classic ever," said Red Wings and Tigers owner Mike Ilitch. "I can promise you, there will be something for everyone."

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Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook betting needs.