Winter Classic 2012: Henrik Lundqvist Stars For Rangers In 3-2 Win Over Flyers

Almost as big of a hit as the game itself, the alumni game between the Rangers and Flyers former greats was a great success for the league. That’s why it was a bit surprising when the Toronto Star reported Thursday that the players that played in the game were either not paid at all, or just paid $200 for their services.

From The Star:

“Never get caught telling a hockey player it’s just a game. Never get caught trying to explain to him all the things in the world that matter so much more. His mind might well acknowledge the truth to your point, but his soul will be powerless to accept it. Considering the immensity of what he gives to the sport, and the immeasurably of all it offers in return.

Nothing ever feels as perfect as a moment of flawlessness on the ice. No bond as strong as one that compels brothers to bleed for one another. Not many leaders are this versed in the craft of motivation. Not many pursuits evoke such visions of brilliance.

The NHL is in the early workings of setting up the game, but they have approached the University of Michigan about hosting the game. “We have been approached by the NHL about utilizing our facility for the 2013 Winter Classic,” Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said in a statement. “There are a lot of complex circumstances that need to be ironed out before anything moves forward. We will have more to say if/when something materializes.”

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream. For more on the Detroit Red Wings, visit SB Nation’s Redwings blog Winging It In Motown and SB Nation Detroit.

Warning: This video is extremely graphic.

Philadelphia Police are searching for suspects, and one Philadelphia man named Edward Neary admitted to committing the crime on the Facebook page of Broad Street Hockey, SB Nation’s Flyers blog. Based on that tip, Philly cops have called in Neary for questioning, according to ESPNNewYork.com. The investigation is ongoing.

The NHL Winter Classic is traditionally held on New Year’s Day, but was pushed back to Jan. 2 to prevent head-to-head competition with the all-mighty NFL on Sunday. Still the event managed to pull just a 2.4 overnight rating, down from 2.8 last season, which was in prime time.

Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand offered some insight into the low ratings via Twitter:

It was a celebration of two storied franchises, and more importantly, the game of hockey. Let’s take a look at the top five moments of 2012 NHL Winter Classic weekend. (Yes, this is a Philadelphia-heavy list. The game was in Philadelphia. That’s how it works.)

5. BRAYDEN SCHENN’S FIRST NHL GOAL

“I’m not sure if NBC got together with the refs or what to turn this into an overtime game,” Torts said after his teams 3-2 win, in a half-joking tone highlighted by a twinge of austerity. “Starting with the non-call, Gabby’s walking in and he gets pitch-forked in the stomach and then everything starts going against us.

“They’re two good referees, but I thought that game was reffed horribly. I’m not sure what happened there. Maybe they wanted to get it to an overtime. I’m not sure if they have meetings about that or what. But we stood in there, we stood in there. And again, I don’t wanna, cause they’re good guys. In that third period, it was disgusting.”

He played just 7:09 in total, and he didn’t take a single shift after about the five minute mark of the second period. What ailed the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer, exactly?

“Last game in Pittsburgh, I got speared in my leg and it was a little bit swelling,” Jagr said after the Flyers 3-2 loss in at Citizens Bank Park. Late in the first period, it was getting worse and worse. I wanted to come back. I tried. I just couldn’t skate 100 percent. I couldn’t help my teammates.”

How’d Jagr feel about it, sitting on the bench during the second period, despite not playing with what he explained was a leg injury?

“I was hoping someone scored and we’d salute him back, but it just didn’t happen. It’s fine with me, it’s not my signature. I do it because I’m celebrating a goal. Maybe he does it too. Maybe he’s celebrating like that too, I don’t know. He doesn’t score many goals. That’s nothing against him, I didn’t see. Maybe that’s the way he celebrates.”

“The game was pretty quick for him,” Torts said. “He readily admitted early on, those first few shifts. There were some mistakes here and there, but it’s great to have him in the lineup. We’re gonna slowly get him about. There’s some work to do.

“Even without a concussion, any player that misses camp, it’s a struggle, so we have to be really cognizant of how we use him. We don’t want to put him in a situation where he doesn’t get his game back, but it’ll be there. He’s going to be a very important guy.”

Without Lundqvist coming up big throughout that stretch, the outcome could have been very different than the 3-2 Rangers win we saw on the scoreboard.

Thanks to Lundqvist, the Rangers have opened up a four point lead on the Flyers in both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference races.

After a scoreless opening period, Flyers center Brayden Schenn opened the scoring with his first goal of the year at thee 12:21 mark of the second period. Just two minutes later, Claude Giroux extended the Flyers’ lead to 2-0, but it would take just half a minute for Mike Rupp to answer for the Rangers with just his second goal of the year. Rupp scored again at the 2:41 mark in the third period, setting up Richards’ game-winner a few minutes later.

Lundqvist finished the game with 35 saves; Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, meanwhile, stopped 30 of 33.

Rupp’s first goal cut the lead in half, and just 2:41 into the third period, Rupp’s second goal tied the score.

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey. For everything Winter Classic in the build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream.

When Jaromir Jagr walked to the locker room -- or clubhouse, whatever -- at Citizens Bank Park during the first period of the Winter Classic, it seemed to just be an equipment issue. Maybe he needed a skate fix or something.

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey. For everything Winter Classic in the build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream.

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey. For everything Winter Classic in the build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream.

(h/t Puck Daddy)

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey. For everything Winter Classic in the build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream.

It’s 2-1 in favor of the Flyers, and it’s evident that the game has opened up considerably since the start, when the teams were still just feeling each other out. We’d bet the final score doesn’t end up 3-1.

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey. For everything Winter Classic in the build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream.

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey. For everything Winter Classic in the build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream.

Boom.

There haven’t been many penalties -- just two minor stick infractions in the first period -- as the teams have stayed relatively disciplined. Part of that has to do with the importance of the game and the need to stay out of the penalty box, and some of it is because both teams are still feeling their way around the outdoor rink at Citizens Bank Park.

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey. For everything Winter Classic in the build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream.

Then, with a few minutes remaining in the period, ex-Ranger and future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr broke in on net much like he did to Giroux, turned aside the Flyers scoring chance.

The Flyers have done a good job of getting pucks on Lundqvist, but the Rangers defense has done a better job of clearing rebounds and not allowing the Flyers to set up body position in front of their goaltender. Each team killed a penalty in the first period, and the Flyers outshot the Rangers by a total of 12 to nine in the first period.

The game has been relatively slow in the early going as the teams work out the kinks and quirks of the outdoor ice rink. The teams have gotten involved physically a bit after whistles around the New York yet, but no penalties have been awarded just yet. That’s not stopping the fans from enjoying the atmosphere at the ballpark, however.

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey. For everything Winter Classic in the build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream.

Patti LaBelle, a Philadelphia native, will sing the Star Spangled Banner.

For more on this year’s Winter Classic, head over to SB Nation’s Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter and Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey. For everything Winter Classic in the build-up to the game, head over to our NHL Winter Classic StoryStream.

PHILADELPHIA -- Parking lots around Citizens Bank Park were opened to the public at 9 a.m. Monday morning, but the Sports Complex in town was teeming with activity long before then.

Fans snuck their way in and began tailgating for the 2012 Winter Classic as early as 7 a.m., and by 12 p.m., Spectator Plaza on 11th Street outside the ballpark was a mob scene. We were part of that mob, and we took a bunch of neat pictures. You can see them below.