The 2011 NHL Winter Classic

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Dec 30, 2011

The 2011 NHL Winter Classic

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The start time of the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field was pushed back from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. by rain and warm temperatures in Pittsburgh. It was the second Winter Classic to be played at an NFL stadium (joining Buffalo in 2008), and the first to be played at night.

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An estimated crowd of 70,000 braved the elements in Pittsburgh. Capitals fans had a heavy turnout, as NBC announcers estimated there were about 30,000 wearing Washington's red and white. At one point, fans from both teams chanted "Flyers suck" in unison.

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The Terrible Towel, a staple at Steelers games, was out in full force at Heinz Field. The field began its transformation from gridiron to rink after the Steelers-Panthers game on Dec. 23.

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Sidney Crosby, coming off a game in which he saw his 25-game scoring streak snapped, and the Penguins walked onto the ice atop Heinz Field with the game-time temperature hovering around 50 degrees. Throughout the night there were puddles on the ice and occasional periods of precipitation.

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Penguins legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux received the biggest ovation in the pregame ceremonies as he joined Steelers legends Franco Harris (right) and Jerome Bettis, and U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Bradley T. Tinstman to drop the ceremonial pucks.

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Both the Canadian and American national anthems were part of pregame festivities. Jackie Evancho, 10, of America's Got Talent fame, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," while the Barenaked Ladies' Steven Page did "O Canada."

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At 8:20 p.m., the puck finally dropped for real between the two Eastern Conference rivals, who had been profiled by the acclaimed HBO series 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic .

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Penguins coach Dan Byslma dressed for the moist conditions by donning a trilby hat behind the bench.

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Pittsburgh's Michael Rupp and Washington's John Erskine dropped gloves in the scoreless first period.

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Evgeni Malkin scored the game's first goal in the second period and was so excited that he jumped into the Penguins' bench -- literally -- in celebration. Assists went to Kris Letang and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

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Capitals veteran Mike Knuble tied the game minutes later on a power-play goal with assists from Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green.

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Eric Fehr (left, celebrating with Jason Chimera) scored the Capitals' second goal of the second period, his sixth of the season. Marcus Johansson assisted.

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Near the end of the second period, Sidney Crosby was shaken up by a collision with Washington's David Steckel, who insisted it was accidental. Though Crosby returned to play the third period, the shoulder he took to the head was later suspected of giving him an initial concussion that was made worse four days later when he was checked into the glass by Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman. Crosby did not play again until Nov. 21 and a recurrence of his symptoms put him back on the Injured Reserve list on Dec. 17.

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Water sprayed off the shovels the ice crew used to clean the ice surface during the third period. The rain got so steady that a small pool surfaced near Marc-Andre Fleury's crease early in the third. The teams switched ends midway through the period.

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Capitals star Alex Ovechkin couldn't find the net despite multiple prime scoring chances on Marc-Andre Fleury. Ovechkin had 14 goals through 39 games and was on pace for his lowest goal output of his six-year career.

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Eric Fehr celebrated after scoring his second goal of the game, an insurance tally with assists from Jason Chimera and John Erskine with 8 mintues left to play in regulation time. In a game full of established stars, Fehr was the unlikely hero.