2012 Winter Classic Game - Philadelphia Flyers Host the New York Rangers
New Years Day Belongs To Hockey
Traditionally, Thanksgiving belongs to football and Independance Day belongs to baseball, but since 2008, New Years Day has belonged to hockey. It's become known as the Winter Classic, and formally called the Bridgestone Winter Classic, and it's the time of year when two rival teams of the National Hockey League (NHL) face-off in a outdoor venue, and it's become one of the years biggest sporting events.
2012 Winter Classic Venue
The 2012 Winter Classic will see the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers, in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park, which is usually the domain of the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball team. The park holds upwards of 43,000 people, and could be an exciting place to watch hockey.
2012 Winter Classic Date
The game is officially called the 2012 Bridgestone Winter Classic, and traditionally it has been played on New Years Day, however due to conflicts with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, who are playing New Years Day just across the street, this season's Winter Classic will be held the next day on Monday, January 2, 2012, at 1:00PM, and the game will air on NBC.
2012 Winter Classic Tickets
First dibs on the tickets for the game were granted to season ticket holders from both Philadelphia and New York, and after the sponsors and media are granted access, that already puts attendance extremely close to the 43,000-plus cap that Citizens Bank Park can hold for the game.
There are other means to receive tickets, as the NHL is offering a chance to win a lottery, which can allow you to purchase two tickets. Click here and register. Odds vary depending upon how many enter, and how many tickets are still available, so enter soon.
There are other means, through sites such as StubHub, but the prices may be high.
If these prices seem too high, their are other ways to see outdoor games a little cheaper, as the main event isn't the only hockey that will be played that week. Tickets for those games can be purchased by calling 215-218-PUCK [7828].
2012 Winter Classic Jerseys
So far, only the Flyers have unveiled their 2012 Winter Classic jerseys, which can be obtained at any place NHL merchandise is sold. The jersey is a traditional design based on the Flyer jerseys of the 1970s, but with slight variations. They wore something similar in 2010, when they faced-off against the Boston Bruins outdoors, at Fenway Park, but this year's jerseys will be the home orange.
2012 Winter Classic Alumni Game
Along with the main event between the current Flyers and Rangers, players of the past, will hit the ice in what is being called the Winter Classic Legends Game. This will be a great affair on Saturday, December 31, 2011, at 6:00PM.
This game will see the likes of Bobby Clarke, Bill Barbor, Reggie Leach, Eric Lindros, John LeClair, as well as Mark Messier, Mike Ricter, and Brian Leetch. It's a chance to see legends of the game hit the ice one last time.
2012 Winter Classic Minor League Game
The final game of the week long event will see AHL rivals, the Adirondack Phantoms versus the Hershey Bears face-off on Friday, January 6, 2012, at 7:00PM.
The Phantoms are the farm team of the Flyers, while Hershey is the farm team of the Washington Capitals. The two teams have been inter-state rivals, since the Phantoms entered the league in 1996. The Phantoms were originally in Philadelphia, and played in the original Spectrum before it was torn down and they were forced to move to Adirondack.
The game is a good chance to see tomorrows stars play on a big stage today.
2012 Winter Classic HBO 24/7
Beginning in the 2011 Winter Classic, HBO began running a four part series on the build up to the big game, taking a closer look into the forbidden lockerroom antics of each team, and delving deeper into the drama of what it means to be an NHL hockey player. Last season's special highlighted the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, and this season, the Flyers and Rangers will go under the microscope.
The first episode of the four part series will air on HBO, on December 14, at 10:00PM.
