Propelled by Eric Fehr’s two goals, the Washington Capitals beat the rain and the Pittsburgh Penguins by a 3-1 score in the NHL’s 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field.
Winter Classic 2011: Penguins, Capitals Becomes The Highest Rated TV Game Since 1975
Get used to it, everybody. Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin sells.
Saturday’s Winter Classic, which feature the two players and their teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, was the highest-rated regular season hockey game since the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers met in April 1975.
Read Article >VIDEO: Capitals’ Mike Knuble Scores, Ties 2011 Winter Classic At 1-1
With Max Talbot in the box for holding and the Capitals on the power play, Mike Green stepped into the slot and fell. The loose puck bobbled around in front of the net where Mike Knuble found it and poked it past Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
It’s Knuble’s ninth goal of the season and it tied up the 2011 Winter Classic at 1-1 with about 14 minutes left in the second period. Assists went to Nicklas Backstrom and Green.
Read Article >VIDEO: Evgeni Malkin’s 14th Goal Gives Penguins 1-0 Lead Over Capitals In 2011 Winter Classic
Marc-Andre Fleury flipped the puck out of the defensive zone and out to center ice. Along the wall, Evgeni Malkin picked up the loose puck, used a burst of speed to get by the one defenseman standing between him and the goal, and went in on net alone.
A simple Malkin shot through the five hole of goaltender Seymon Varlamov gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead, followed by an awesome celebration where Malkin essentially jumped into his teammates on the bench.
Read Article >Winter Classic 2011: Penguins, Capitals Scoreless After First Period
After one period of play at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, the Capitals and Penguins are scoreless in the 2011 Winter Classic.
The period was highlighted by a fight between Mike Rupp and John Erskine just about 12 minutes in, one of the most entertaining we’ve seen this year. Then again, it helps that they’re under the lights on a football field, too. People love good theater.
Read Article >VIDEO: Mike Rupp, John Erskine Fight In First Period Of 2011 Winter Classic
Just about 12 minutes into the first period of the 2011 Winter Classic, Mike Rupp of the Penguins and John Erskine of the Capitals dropped the gloves in one of the most entertaining fights of the season. Both players threw several solid punches and each landed a few as well.
The tussle went on for a strong 30 seconds or so, and we’ll call the decision a draw. You can be your own judge. Video:
Read Article >LIVE VIDEO: Penguins, Capitals Winter Classic Practice Day Outdoors At Heinz Field
The Penguins are set to take to the ice at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, while the Washington Capitals will take to the ice at 2:00 p.m. Each practice should last about a half hour to 45 minutes.
NHL Network is providing a live online stream of today’s practice day. Watch it right here:
Read Article >Penguins Alumni, Capitals Alumni Tie 5-5 In Outdoor Game At Heinz Field
Mario Lemieux and the Penguins’ alumni tied Peter Bondra and the Capitals’ alumni on Friday morning in a friendly game at Heinz Field. Jimmy Rixner of SB Nation Pittsburgh was there. He filed this report:
Head over to SB Nation Pittsburgh and Pensburgh for more coverage from the Penguins perspective. Head over to SB Nation DC and Japers’ Rink for the Capitals side of the story.
Read Article >Winter Classic 2011: Should Weather, Rain Affect Saturday’s Game, NHL Has ‘Maximum Flexibility’
As the forecast continues to look grim, however, with rain in the forecast for most of Saturday afternoon, the NHL is kicking their backup plans into overdrive. The League’s chief operating officer, John Collins, briefed reporters on Thursday afternoon.
“We’re planning to play at 1 o’clock. We’ve got maximum flexibility to do what we need to do to get that game in on Saturday. If for some reason it was completely unplayable, we have other options, but we fully expect to get the game in on Saturday.”
Read Article >Winter Classic Weather: Rain Still In Forecast For New Year’s Day In Pittsburgh
There’s a 70 percent chance of rain for New Year’s Day on Saturday, with most of the showers falling between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m, just when the Penguins and Capitals are hoping to battle on the ice at Heinz Field. That’s the forecast from WPXI in Pittsburgh.
Temperatures are still predicted to be warm -- around 50 degrees -- but that’s not a problem for Dan Craig and the NHL’s high-tech ice machines. As we’ve mentioned before, however, the game cannot be played in any rain harder than a drizzle. The water won’t freeze fast enough and it will puddle on the ice, making hockey impossible.
Read Article >NHL ‘Committed’ To 1 P.M. Start For Saturday’s Winter Classic
The NHL can’t control, yet somehow, they’re saying that they’re “committed” to a 1 P.M. start time for Saturday’s Winter Classic, rain be damned. From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
The forecast hasn’t changed much since yesterday. According to Weather.com, we’re still looking at temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and about a 50 percent chance of rain. Those mild temps are fine, but the game can’t be played in rain heavier than a drizzle.
Read Article >Winter Classic 2011: Weather Outlook Grim For New Years’ Day In Pittsburgh
Two years ago in Chicago, there was no snow but the weather cooperated just fine, and last year in Boston, things worked out as well. The story could be different when the NHL hosts the 2011 Winter Classic at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field on Saturday.
The forecast, according to AccuWeather.com, calls for a warm, wet New Years’ Day, with rain and temperatures in the 50s. Those kind of temperatures aren’t a problem for the outdoor ice rink, as they’re able to create ice in temperatures upwards of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Rain is a serious issue, though.
Read Article >
