Sweden keeps tabs on Stanley Cup Finals

PITTSBURGH — French is typically the second language of the Stanley Cup Finals, and Francophone reporters are again well represented here. Swedish, however, isn't far behind. Seven Swedish reporters have been credentialed to cover the Finals, which feature nine players from their country — all members of the Detroit Red Wings. "They show all the playoff games at home," said Henrik Zetterberg, a native of the east coast Swedish town of Njurunda. "Unfortunately, when it's 8 o'clock here in the United States, it's 3 in the morning in Sweden. People are staying up." The top two goal scorers in the playoffs —Johan Franzen (13) and Zetterberg (12) — are making their countrymen take notice. "It's getting lot of publicity back home, and it's good for the game," Zetterberg said. "Hockey is a big sport in Sweden. It's second after soccer, so you get a decent part of the media (coverage)." FIND MORE STORIES IN: United States | Sweden | New Year | Detroit Red Wings | Buffalo Bills | Swedish | Wrigley Field | Chicago Blackhawks | Stanley Cup Finals | Detroit News | Mike Babcock | Henrik Zetterberg | Soldier Field | Tomas Holmstrom | Ken Holland | Johan Franzen | Tyson Foods | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Hal Gill | Hockey Hall of Fame | Francophone | NHL Winter Classic | Comcast Sports Net | Mike Emrick Reports list Chicago as outdoor game site Chicago appears to be the front-runner to host the next NHL Winter Classic, as two broadcast outlets reported that a deal is all but done. Canadian sports channel TSN and Comcast Sports Net reported the game is nearly a lock to take place in January at Wrigley Field or Soldier Field. The Chicago Blackhawks would face the Red Wings, they reported. Wings general manager Ken Holland told the Detroit News that his team was approached about the possibility but said the reports were "very premature." An estimated 71,217 fans attended a Buffalo Sabres-Pittsburgh Penguins game on New Year's Day at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills. Around the rinks Detroit forward Tomas Holmstrom will likely take full use of the extra off day after he was knocked out the game in the third period by a hard check from Pittsburgh's Hal Gill. "After the game, he didn't feel too good," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. … NBC/Versus announcer Mike Emrick will be honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame as winner of the broadcasters' Foster Hewitt award. Former Canadian Press reporter Neil Stevens won the writers' Elmer Ferguson award.