PHILADELPHIA -- Before the Rangers took the ice at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday for their outdoor practice before the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Monday, the players lined the visitors dugout in the jerseys they will wear when they face the Flyers.
Some players stood on the top step of the dugout and soaked in the scene.
Backup goaltender Martin Biron showed off his mask that had a camera attached to the top and explained to coach John Tortorella that the camera had nothing to do with HBO's "24/7" show, much to the coach's relief.
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2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
Rangers soaking in Winter Classic experience
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 10:46 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
Rangers, Flyers reflect on playing outdoors as kids
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 6:38 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
PHILADELPHIA -- As soon as the players stepped out of their respective dugouts for practice on Sunday, the cool air hit them in the face. They could look up and see a blue sky, and look beyond the center-field bleachers and over Ashburn Alley here at Citizens Bank Park and see nothing but the Philadelphia skyline in the distance.
They were outdoors and they were about to play some hockey. To the Rangers and Flyers, it's hard to find a better place to be.
Many of the players said they felt like kids again, skating around in the open air, their gear on, sweating, and zipping the puck around. NHL.com talked to several about what kind of memories came rushing back to them on Sunday during the practice sessions.
They were outdoors and they were about to play some hockey. To the Rangers and Flyers, it's hard to find a better place to be.
Many of the players said they felt like kids again, skating around in the open air, their gear on, sweating, and zipping the puck around. NHL.com talked to several about what kind of memories came rushing back to them on Sunday during the practice sessions.
'Classic' boasts coaches capable of stealing show
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 6:31 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
Corey Masisak - NHL.com Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA -- Mike Rupp joined the New York Rangers this summer and he knew with John Tortorella in charge, he was going to play for a demanding coach.
It also didn't take long for his diagnosis of the situation to be confirmed.
"You may think you have a little bit of a longer leash because you are new to the team, but after the first game he gave it to me pretty good in front of the boys," Rangers forward Mike Rupp said. "That's how he is, but you appreciate it as a player because he does it throughout the lineup and he doesn't wait until it is a problem."
Tortorella's reputation is well-earned, but so is his status as one of the NHL's top coaches. He has won 356 games, more than any other American-born coach in League history. The man who will stand behind the opposing bench Monday in the Bridgestone 2012 NHL Winter Classic -- Philadelphia Flyers coach Peter Laviolette -- has the second-most with 341.
It also didn't take long for his diagnosis of the situation to be confirmed.
"You may think you have a little bit of a longer leash because you are new to the team, but after the first game he gave it to me pretty good in front of the boys," Rangers forward Mike Rupp said. "That's how he is, but you appreciate it as a player because he does it throughout the lineup and he doesn't wait until it is a problem."
Tortorella's reputation is well-earned, but so is his status as one of the NHL's top coaches. He has won 356 games, more than any other American-born coach in League history. The man who will stand behind the opposing bench Monday in the Bridgestone 2012 NHL Winter Classic -- Philadelphia Flyers coach Peter Laviolette -- has the second-most with 341.
Flyers-Rangers rivalry to be viewed on national stage
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 6:18 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
PHILADELPHIA -- It took Philadelphia Flyers rookie forward Zac Rinaldo all of two regular-season games against the New York Rangers to learn why there is so much hatred in this Philadelphia-New York rivalry that will take center stage Monday in the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park (3 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, RDS).
"(Brandon) Dubinsky," Rinaldo told NHL.com when asked to give a reason why he dislikes the Rangers so much. "He told me I was a liability on the ice and he told me I was a bad hockey player. Then the next game I asked him to fight, and he doesn't back it up. That's a coward move. You don't tell someone he's a bad hockey player and then not back anything up. That's a coward."
Given a chance to respond, Dubinsky, the Rangers' fifth-year forward who has played 28 games against the Flyers, at first said he wasn't going to, but then his answer bled into a jab at Rinaldo.
"(Brandon) Dubinsky," Rinaldo told NHL.com when asked to give a reason why he dislikes the Rangers so much. "He told me I was a liability on the ice and he told me I was a bad hockey player. Then the next game I asked him to fight, and he doesn't back it up. That's a coward move. You don't tell someone he's a bad hockey player and then not back anything up. That's a coward."
Given a chance to respond, Dubinsky, the Rangers' fifth-year forward who has played 28 games against the Flyers, at first said he wasn't going to, but then his answer bled into a jab at Rinaldo.
Price is Right winners soak in Classic atmosphere
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 6:11 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
Davis Harper - NHL.com Staff Writer
The Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers will be hoping some of NiTasha Woods' good fortune rubs off on them.
Woods, 25, won the ultimate hockey getaway -- against towering odds -- when she wagered and lucked her way to the Price Is Right "Showcase Showdown" that sent her and a guest to the 2012 Winter Classic.
Woods, 25, won the ultimate hockey getaway -- against towering odds -- when she wagered and lucked her way to the Price Is Right "Showcase Showdown" that sent her and a guest to the 2012 Winter Classic.
Marc Staal will not make return in Classic
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 5:50 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
Shawn P. Roarke - NHL.com Senior Managing Editor
PHILADELPHIA -- Any hopes of Marc Staal following in his brother's footsteps and making a return at a Winter Classic were dashed by Rangers coach John Tortorella on Sunday.
"Nothing's changed with Marc," Tortorella said following the team's practice at Citizens Bank Park in preparation for the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
Last season, Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins made his season debut in the 2011 Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals after missing the first 39 games with a broken hand.
"Nothing's changed with Marc," Tortorella said following the team's practice at Citizens Bank Park in preparation for the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
Last season, Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins made his season debut in the 2011 Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals after missing the first 39 games with a broken hand.
Winter Classic pre-game coverage on NBC still begins at 1 p.m. ET, despite 3 p.m. ET game start
NBC Sports Network debuts at 4 p.m. ET with special edition of NBC SportsTalk
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 4:43 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
PHILADELPHIA –– The 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers from Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, which was scheduled to air tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET, will now start at 3 p.m. ET on NBC to facilitate optimal game conditions, the NHL announced today. NBC Sports will still begin its live NHL Winter Classic pre-game coverage at 1 p.m. ET with interviews, features and other content.
The NHL said in a statement that the revised start time is based on tomorrow's weather forecast and should offer optimal game conditions for players and fans.
NBC's coverage of the Winter Classic will be hosted by Bob Costas, a 22-time Emmy Award-winner. He will be joined by NBC Sports Group studio analysts Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick for coverage on NBC and post-game coverage on NBC Sports Network. NBC's game coverage will be led by Emmy Award-winner Mike "Doc" Emrick (play-by-play) Eddie Olczyk (analyst), and Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass reporter).
The NHL said in a statement that the revised start time is based on tomorrow's weather forecast and should offer optimal game conditions for players and fans.
NBC's coverage of the Winter Classic will be hosted by Bob Costas, a 22-time Emmy Award-winner. He will be joined by NBC Sports Group studio analysts Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick for coverage on NBC and post-game coverage on NBC Sports Network. NBC's game coverage will be led by Emmy Award-winner Mike "Doc" Emrick (play-by-play) Eddie Olczyk (analyst), and Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass reporter).
Weekes: No need for Laviolette to hide his starter
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 4:13 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
PHILADELPHIA -- After Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov said he will not be starting in Monday's 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes wanted to hear Flyers coach Peter Laviolette confirm exactly that during his press conference that took place about 30 minutes after Bryzgalov's announcement inside the Flyers' dressing room.
Instead, Laviolette said he had not yet spoken to his goalies and a decision would not be announced until before the game. He called it "sticking with company policy that we've had since I've been here."
Weekes can't figure out why that policy even exists.
Instead, Laviolette said he had not yet spoken to his goalies and a decision would not be announced until before the game. He called it "sticking with company policy that we've had since I've been here."
Weekes can't figure out why that policy even exists.
Weekes: Laviolette fearless when picking goalies
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 3:50 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
PHILADELPHIA -- As someone who played for Peter Laviolette, NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes has an intimate knowledge into how the Philadelphia Flyers coach goes about making his decision on a starting goaltender.
Weekes told NHL.com Sunday that Laviolette has become more flexible in selecting his starter since Weekes played 66 games for the coach in 2003-04. He also said Laviolette showed that flexibility during the Flyers' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010, when he used Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher to get Philadelphia to Game 6 against the Blackhawks.
It appears Laviolette's flexibility is on display once again because, according to Ilya Bryzgalov, the star goalie who signed a nine-year, $51 million contract with the Flyers in the offseason, Laviolette has chosen Sergei Bobrovsky to start for the Philadelphia in the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.
Weekes told NHL.com Sunday that Laviolette has become more flexible in selecting his starter since Weekes played 66 games for the coach in 2003-04. He also said Laviolette showed that flexibility during the Flyers' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010, when he used Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher to get Philadelphia to Game 6 against the Blackhawks.
It appears Laviolette's flexibility is on display once again because, according to Ilya Bryzgalov, the star goalie who signed a nine-year, $51 million contract with the Flyers in the offseason, Laviolette has chosen Sergei Bobrovsky to start for the Philadelphia in the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.
NHL moves Winter Classic start time to 3 ET
Sunday, 01.01.2012 / 3:26 PM / 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic - Rangers v. Flyers
NHL.com
The NHL, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers, announced Monday's 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will start at 3 p.m. ET (NBC, CBC, RDS). The revised start time is based on tomorrow's weather forecast and should offer optimal game conditions for players and fans.
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