The two things we can count on to bring people together are holidays and sports. Everyone likes a day off from work and when you couple that with a sporting event, you’re staring down at a pair of aces. For some families, watching sports can be a bonding experience while others use it as a diversion or escape from family issues. And, if you don’t have a fam, these sports will keep you company. Tri-State Sports Guys’ Mike D has 5 great marriages of holidays and sports – check ‘em out after the jump.

The NHL had the bright idea of playing the “Winter Classic” outside at venues not typically used for hockey. The concept has since been adopted by the NCAA with ridiculous results. After this past weekend’s pretty awesome Illinois-Northwestern game at Wrigley and Notre Dame-Army game at Yankee Stadium, we at COED got to thinking: what other non-football venues would make for cool college football matchups?

HBO is doing a reality show about the Winter Classic. The series will focus around the matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals on January 1st, 2011. Four hour long episodes will air before and after the game.