So, the bad news is that (most of?) us didn’t get to attend the 2018 Winter Classic at Citi Field. The good news is that those of us who didn’t get to go also didn’t have to be really cold.
Luckily, photographers and fans were around to record the fun times, so we can at least get an idea of what it was like. Without the teeth chattering. Enjoy.
Unusual conditions
The cold weather’s coming next.
Playing outdoors means dealing with other factors that NFL players usually only deal with: the wind and shadows (or blinding light) can suddenly be an issue, especially for goalies. Henrik Lundqvist and Robin Lehner deserve kudos for fighting through it.
BREAKING: It was cold
This wasn’t the coldest Winter Classic, let alone the coldest outdoor NHL game, but such facts didn’t exactly warm up those who were still very, very cold. But, hey, bundling up makes for some cool shots, if nothing else.
Fans provided some great images:
While the players wore some extra gear, at least during warm-ups, and that provided some extra fun:
A couple extra pieces of equipment for @bookerT2116. #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/r3ged0R5gn
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 1, 2018
Not that fun: your mullet/hockey hair getting icey.
Frosty locks ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/ULMcZiMBUI
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 1, 2018
A good time
It’s been 10 years since the first Winter Classic, but it doesn’t sound like the novelty is wearing off for players. (Granted, as you see in the video above the post’s headline, Jimmy Vesey was just 14 when he first watched it.)
Henrik Lundqvist on outdoor games: "I could play in one every season. It never gets old for me." #WinterClassic
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 1, 2018
(Apparently there were some complaints about a fan showing up in Flyers gear, if you want to dive into that rabbit hole.)
Fire and fun
Let’s just run down some of the really cool images under this miscellaneous category.
Honestly, this shot’s existence is a rebuttal to anyone complaining about outdoor games. So cool.
Via Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images, this is one hell of a photo #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/aU7tBdTGa2
— Sean Leahy (@Sean_Leahy) January 1, 2018
The King delivers a gift to one of his lucky followers. 👑 #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/fzwTKdWlvI
— NHL (@NHL) January 1, 2018
The Mets gave the Winter Classic a nod and referenced that SNL skit:
The #WinterClassic is underway at @CitiField. "Let's do that hockey." 🏒 pic.twitter.com/iAKNXZ2YRr
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 1, 2018
Good old puns:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdbS711hocM/?tagged=skjeistadium
More 2018 Winter Classic material from PHT
A breakdown of the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime win.
U.S. Olympic rosters were named during the Winter Classic.
Jeremy Roenick took the polar bear plunge.
Rangers, Sabres take advantage of Winter Classic distraction.
Old friends Lehner, Lundqvist ready to face off at Winter Classic.
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.