Babcock staying in hotel to avoid New Year's party at his house

The Winter Classic between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings is just under 20 hours away, and Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock is focused. He knows the visiting team has been victorious four out of five times. 

He also knows his wife and their family won't be able to resist a very late New Year's celebration.

"Let's just go with what is going to happen at my house. My wife's last name is Dunham. My kids say, 'Nobody parties like a Dunham.' You can just imagine my house tonight, so that's why a couple blocks down the road I got myself a hotel, because when 11 [p.m.] comes, they're not going to care that there's a Winter Classic tomorrow. They're still going to be on time." Quote via Stephen Whyno

So if Babcock isn't partying, he just threw his wife under the bus for being the life of one.

While the Red Wings and Maple Leafs greet family in Ann Arbor, Babcock didn't have to say much to keep his players in line Tuesday night. "They know there is an opportunity on our schedule to have a heck of a New Year's Eve party on New Year's Day. Make a decision, but if you're counting on your family to do it for you, I don't like your chances."