Winnipeg White Out
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The Winnipeg Whiteout is a hockey tradition that dates back to 1987 when hockey fans in Winnipeg were asked to wear white clothing to home playoff games in Winnipeg, creating a very intimidating effect and atmosphere.[1] It was created as a response to the "C of Red" created by fans of the Calgary Flames, whom the home town Winnipeg Jets were facing in the first round of the 1987 playoffs. The Jets would eliminate the Flames in six games, four wins to two, and fans wore white for every playoff game thereafter. Fans coined it the "Whiteout". When the Jets moved to Phoenix as the Coyotes, fans quickly adopted the "Whiteout" tradition for playoff games.
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[edit] College football
The tradition is also prevalent in other sports, as at Penn State's Beaver Stadium, which held a white out during the nationally televised football game between Penn State and Ohio State in October 2005. While initially intended for the PSU student section, in subsequent games the entire stadium has been encouraged to participate in the "white out" event. The next white out took place during the Penn State - University of Michigan game during the 2006 season. Yet another white out occurred during the Notre Dame visit on September 8th, 2007. A Whiteout usually occurs when there is a night game, or a game that will be nationally televised.
[edit] Other NHL teams
Several other teams have since tried to replicate the success of this tradition. In 2004, the Philadelphia Flyers gave away orange t-shirts to create an "orange crush" against their semi-final opponent. They also use it sometimes in the 2008 Playoffs, mostly for Game 3 and Game 6. The Tampa Bay Lightning, who countered with a white out of their own.
Among other teams, Anaheim Mighty Ducks fans have also attempted the Whiteout, along with fans of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Los Angeles Kings attempted to produce a "black out" - requesting all their fans wear black to playoff games - but this backfired, as it had the opposite effect of making the arena appear more empty than full.
At the request of Sidney Crosby,[citation needed] the Pittsburgh Penguins gave away white T-shirts before Game 1 of their series vs. the New York Rangers in the 07–08 playoffs. A second white out event was held for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers on May 9, 2008.[2]
[edit] Miami Heat
The Miami Heat of the NBA held Whiteouts throughout the playoffs during their championship run in 2006 known as "White Hot Heat", while the Utah Jazz had their fans create a "blue wave" during 2007 home playoff games, wearing light blue shirts in the team's dominant color.
[edit] References
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