Let's Take it Outdoors

View From Section 420

The temperature read 39 degrees. Citizen's Bank Park was open, even though the Phillies season was over. The Wells Fargo center was closed, even though there was a Flyers game on the schedule. That was all due to the fact that Philadelphia was hosting the 2012 NHL's 5th annual Winter Classic. The Flyers and the Rangers were set to face off not only against each other, but also against the elements as they took their rivalry outdoors for the first time.

Pre-Game Skate

The Flyers and Rangers donned their specially designed Winter Classic jerseys and paraphernalia and when the clock struck three, they were ready for battle.

For the Flyers it was Sergei Bobrovsky between the pipes and he was set to battle shot for shot against all star goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

The matchup couldn't be more important. The Rangers held the 1st place spot in the division, only 2 points ahead of the Flyers. The winner would be the leader of not only the division but also the conference.

Flyers Entering the Ice

 So the players were ready; the implications were comprehended; and the outdoor stage was set.

Let the 2012 NHL Winter Classic begin.

Philadelphia's own, Patti LaBelle got things started with her special rendition of the American National Anthem and as she belted "the home of the brave" two F19's went soaring over the stadium giving the 47,967, sell out crowd, chills.

National Anthem and Fly-Over

And just like that, after months of anticipation, excitement and exuberance, the puck had dropped and the game began.

And We're Underway

The first period was a very safe one as both teams tried to get a feel for each other and the ice surface. The temperatures were chilly but not to the point where the game wasn't enjoyable, or where the game play was affected; however, the winds where howling. Both teams had moments where they just lost the puck or passes weren't crisp, but neither fell victim to any bad bounces. After a heavy hitting period, both teams went scoreless when the first horn sounded as the Flyers had the slight edge in shots 12-9, yet both goalies were equally perfect.

Flyers Alumni Together

In between periods the action continued, but not on the ice. Flyers Stanley Cup winner, and color commentator Bill Clement, hosted a ceremony that consisted of introducing Flyers greats from every decade since the team's inception in the 1960's (1967 to be exact). Joe Watson was brought out for the 60's, Ron Hextall for the 80's, Eric Lindros represented the 90's and Jeremy Roenick for the 00's. Then Clement introduced many members of the Stanley Cup winning team of the 70's. All stood together as the fans rose to their feet to give them a huge standing ovation.

Flyers Alumni gather together

Lauren Hart was then introduced to sing "God Bless America" which turned into a duet with Kate Smith, a tradition in Philadelphia, going back many years.

Kate Smith and Lauren Hart sing God Bless America

Liberty Bell rings after Schenn scores

The second period was underway and it was a great one for the Flyers. There were about 9 minutes left in the period when Brayden Schenn won the face off to Matt Carle who just threw the puck on net and Schenn completed the play he started by burying the rebound, scoring his first National Hockey League goal. And he was ecstatic, pumping his fist and jumping into the boards. And he wasn't the only one. The fans jumped to their feet expressing their elation as the Citizen's Bank Park Liberty bell rang loudly and the house was brought down.

Schenn scores his 1st career goal in Winter Classic

 

The fans didn't have to wait long to before celebrating again as it was Claude Giroux who, after receiving a pass from Max Talbot, beat Lundqvist on the backhand on a semi break-away. Ecstasy had taken over the ballpark as we were all on Cloud 9. The Flyers lead 2-0 after Giroux's beauty.

Laviolette calls timeout

Unfortunately, the exaltation would only last 30 seconds. New York Rangers 4th liner, Mike Rupp used Andrej Meszaros as a screen and beat Bobrovsky, to the low glove slide.

The crowd had been quieted and the momentum had quickly changed.
The period ended 2-1 in favor of the Flyers and 14-8 shots advantage (26-17 Flyers after 2 periods).

The Roots performing during 2nd intermission

The second intermission continued to entertain. Philadelphia's own, The Roots, rocked the house as the stage was set up on a large hockey stick out in left field. They changed the lyrics of the song, "The Fire" to 'The Flyers' as they kept the spirit of the event alive. And just when everyone thought this event couldn't get any better, it started to snow! The flurries had fans all over the stadium of all ages pointing up at the lights (where you could see them the best) as if we were all children again marveling at the beautiful sight. It was perfect.

Snow Falling during the Classic

The third period was about to get started and the Rangers knew they would have to win the period, and the game was theirs for the taking. The Flyers, on the other hand, were trying to preserve their lead. They came into the game having only lost one game all year after leading in the second intermission. However, the Rangers weren't threatened at all by those numbers.

The Flyers also started the period without their star forward Jaromir Jagr, who sat out with a left groin strain. It was revealed the next day that Jagr will miss 7-10 days with that mild strain.

Hockey Under The Lights

The Rangers took advantage early as it was Mike Rupp again, this time beating Bobrovsky on a bad angle shot. The breath had been taken away from the crowd and Flyers players as it was a tie game, no more than 3 minutes into the period. And then less than 3 minutes later the Rangers shocked the Flyers again. Brad Richards scored what proved to be the game winner on the rebound of Brandon Dubinsky's shot. It appeared as if the Flyers were in a bit of a state of confusion after the second goal against and the Rangers took full advantage.
The Rangers were the better team in the third, when it matter most, and that would be the deciding factor in the game. Rangers outshot the Flyers 16-10 in the third.

The Flyers did, however, have a terrific opportunity to tie the game, when Ryan McDonagh covered the puck with his glove in the crease with only 19 seconds left in the game. This led to a penalty shot, which Danny Briere was chosen to take, against Lundqvist. Last time these 2 faced off was the last game of the 2010 season in a shootout, in which the winner would advance to the playoffs. Briere beat Lundqvist and the Flyers won leading to a playoff birth (they went all the way to the Stanley Cup as a result).

Briere's Penalty Shot and Final Ticks

Lundqvist would get his revenge as this time he proved better than Briere. Danny, who is usually a deker, choose to shoot 5-hole, but Lundqvist closed it up quicker than Briere's shot. One could only wonder if Briere chose to shoot rather than deke, due to the conditions of the outdoor choppy ice. Regardless, Lundqvist made the save preserving the 3-2 victory in the 2012 Winter Classic.

Citizen's Bank Park empty after the game

Happy New Year from Philadelphia

Rupp, Lundqvist and Giroux were the three stars of the game, but the three real stars were: the NHL, the city of Philadelphia and all of the fans.

Happy New Year and Happy Hockey!