The 2012 NHL Winter Classic

SI Staff | Jan 4, 2012

The 2012 NHL Winter Classic /

The 2012 NHL Winter Classic

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

Mike Rupp scored two goals and Brad Richards posted the winner on top of a chilly baseball field in Philadelphia as the New York Rangers outlasted the Philadelphia Flyers in the Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

Playing on a rink that stretched from first base to third base, the Rangers made the league's fifth Winter Classic a memorable one, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to stay atop the Eastern Conference standings. The NHL surrounded the rink with Christmas trees, firewood, fake snow, and even trash-can fires a la the movie Rocky , but there was nothing artificial about the elements with snow flurries late in the second period and temperatures that dipped into the 30s, forcing 49,967 fans to bundle up for the big game.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

The Flyers dominated in the early going, outshooting the Rangers by a wide marging and taking a 2-0 lead.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

The Rangers sniper didn't seem affected by the ice, which had dicey patches that required frequent repair during stoppages in play.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

As expected of any game between the Atlantic Division rivals, the play was physical and there was little room to operate.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

Rupp was the Rangers' unlikely hero, scoring two goals and earning First Star of the Game honors.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

The Rangers' prized free agent acquisition of the offseason was credited with the game-winning goal.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

Rangers defenseman Staal made his season debut after being sidelined by a concussion that was the result of a collision with his brother Eric of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

Staal logged 12:41 of ice time in his 2011-12 season debut, and was plus-1.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

As night, and the lights came on, the temperature grew frosty and there were intermittent snow flurries. It wasn't quite the snow globe effect of the first Classic in Buffalo, but this game had its winter charm.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

The Rangers goaltender saved the day by halting Philly's attack after two goals and allowing his team to rally.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

Mike Rupp's first goal late in the second period came with a salute toward the Flyers' bench -- the same move that Jaromir Jagr makes for the home crowd after one of his goals. Rupp smiled as his teammates mobbed him along the boards and the crowd booed his attempt at showing-up Jagr. Rupp delivered another clutch goal on the big stage when his wrister from the circle flew under Sergei Bobrovsky's right arm and tied the game at 2.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

Richards wasted no time scoring the winner, knocking in a rebound 3:20 later to put the Rangers up 3-2.

Rangers 3, Flyers 2

Flyers center Danny Briere was stopped by Henrik Lundqvist on this penalty shot with 19 seconds left as New York won for the third time this season against Philadelphia.

Published Jan 4, 2012

SI STAFF