What A Game! Wrapping up the Winter Classic

This is why I LOVE being a hockey fan.

Photo Courtesy of Blueshirts United

Minutes into the game, watching from the comfort and warmth of my house, I still feel the energy and excitement.  The audio work done my NBC is superb, as it allows us to hear every “Rangers Suck!” and “F The Flyers!” chants that erupt from the crowd. You can hear the skates on the ice, the puck hitting the blades of the sticks, the thud of the puck hitting the goalie pads, and the wind whipping thru Carl Hagelin’s hair.  I kind of equate it to the feeling you get when you watch Olympic hockey.  It comes around every 4 years and the sweet sounds of Doc Emerick calling a game brings me fond memories of listening to the Olympic games.  Granted, Doc usually calls players the wrong name, its still awesome to hear.  I was lost amidst the sights and sounds of the game, watching from the comforts of my home was pretty awesome.  You get to see the rink from all areas, thanks to NBC's stellar camera work.  While nothing matches the excitement of seeing the game in person, this was probably a close second.

Prior to the game, Ilya Bryzgalov and Marc Staal were breaking news... Bryzgalov was not suiting up as the Flyers starting goalie, and Staal would be making his much awaited return to the NYR lineup. Bryzgalov looked quite comfy on the Flyers bench, although I did not see his thermos he promised to bring.  Staal looked slow at times, getting skated around a few times while defending the Rangers Zone, but that is almost expected.  I will admit, every time he was on the ice I did cringe.  Knowing the Rangers/Flyers games are usually hard hitting, gritty games, I half expected him to get drilled to the boards at one time.  But thankfully, he left the game intact.

Lundqvist and Bobrovsky traded stellar glove saves.  Gaborik and company fired shots on net.  Mike Rupp proved that he was more relevant than Jody Shelley by scoring not once, but twice.  Brad Richards sealed the game with the Rangers' third goal. Well, actually Lundqvist sealed the game...  With 19.6 seconds left in the game, there was a shot that got past Lundqvist, and McDonaugh quickly gloved the puck.  Instead of batting it away, he 'closed' (I'll use that loosely since no replays really show this, but NBC announcers assumed thats what the call was) his glove on the puck.  Penalty shot Flyers.  It was Danny Briere against Lundqvist.  Lundqvist proved why he is called King Henrik.  With a solid save, he kept the Rangers lead.

Even with the crappy ice, dozens of uncalled penalties, and periods of sloppy play, this Winter Classic was amazing to watch and really ignited many fans love for the game.  This weeks last episode of 24/7 should be amazing to watch.