The Hockey Herald

The original post of this article can be found on my blog (http://thesportstwitblog.blogspot.com/).

I am not a fan of gimmicks used in sports. And, I usually have some dispute with the NHL regarding it’s frequent rule changes regarding overtime, shootouts, and an outdated and ineffective point system. But when it comes to The Winter Classic, the NHL has hit it out of the park.

What began as The Heritage Classic, six years ago; The Winter Classic has evolved into a must see New Year’s Day event. The concept was modeled after a college hockey rivalry game, called “The Cold War”, played outdoors between the University of Michigan and Michigan State. The Heritage Classic, played in Edmonton, Alberta between the Oilers and Canadiens, drew a record viewership on CBC.

Five years later the name of the game was changed to The Winter Classic. And thanks to things both controlled by the NHL and elements that were beyond their control, a hockey event like no other was born.

In 2008, the first NHL Game ever played outdoors in the US took place at Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium between the Sabres and Penguins. With the snow falling, NHL Super Sensation, Sidney Crosby gave the visiting Penguins a dramatic win with a goal in the shootout, and the Legend of The Winter Classic was born.

The following year, the NHL bested themselves by reaching far back into, not only Hockey’s rich past, but also the past of America’s National Pastime. An epic showdown between two of the Original Six NHL teams in a venue almost as old as Lord Stanley’s Cup, Wrigley Field in Chicago. The game once again lived up to the billing, with the Red Wings getting a come from behind victory over the Blackhawks, their old rivals. TV Ratings increased by 12%. The legend was growing.

In July of 2009, the NHL announced this year’s Winter Classic site. Sticking with a formula that seemed to be working, they selected a sporting National Treasure as a venue and another old rivalry as the competitors. The Boston Bruins would host the Philadelphia Flyers at Historic Fenway Park in Boston.

Pageantry was the Hallmark of the pregame festivities. A banner of Bruin retired Jersey was hung next to the retired numbers of Red Sox Heros of yesteryear. Honorary Captains were brought in from the height of the teams rivalry. Bobby Clarke for the Flyers and Bobby Orr for the Bruins. Their arrival sent the mixed crowd into a frenzy that never seemed to ebb for the rest of the afternoon, as the crowd remained on their feet for most of the game.

As for the game itself; once again, it lived up to the billing. A gritty, almost playoff like atmosphere engulfed the old ballpark. And, as if written by a Hollywood script, The Broad Street Bullies’ Dan Carcillo and the Big Bad Bruins’ Shawn Thornton were combatants in The Winter Classic’s first ever fight.

The Bruins have been unwilling participants in many of the Flyers historic moments. Philadelphia’s first Stanley Cup was won against the mighty Bruins, and it was into a Bruins empty net that Flyers goaltender, Ron Hextall would score, becoming the first goaltender ever to shoot and score a goal in the NHL. This game had that feel as the Flyers clung to a 1-0 lead late in the third period. But this epic game wouldn’t go the Flyers way. With the shadows growing long as the sun faded behind the Green Monster, the Bruins were able to tie the game late, and then send the Fenway Faithful home happy with an overtime win. The Legend appears to be here to stay.

Next year there will be another venue and, hopefully, another great game. Maybe a return to Canada. Though it will be hard to ignore the big market of New York City and the Bright Lights of the newly christened Yankee Stadium. The Rangers have been considered in the past, most recently as the Bruins 2010 opponent. Wherever the venue and whomever the team, the NHL just needs to continue to ride this wave of good will and good fortune. Congratulations NHL, you’ve certainly found a Classic in this event.

-Mike Tursi