New York Rangers Rally for Win at NHL Winter Classic

January 9, 2012 • Katie Pesek  
Filed under Sports

The New York Rangers rallied for an impressive comeback win over the Philadelphia Flyers on 2 January at the fifth annual Bridgestone Winter Classic.  They managed to recover from a 2-0 deficit in the second period, and come out on top to win the game 3-2.

The first period of the game remained scoreless, with matching minors for each team.

 Things heated up quickly in the second period, though, as Philadelphiagained a 2-0 lead.  With goals from forwards Brayden Schenn and Claude Giroux, circumstances looked a little rough for the New York Rangers.  However, before the 20 minute period ended, the Rangers got on the board with a goal from forward Mike Rupp.

Going into the third period with a score of 2-1 in favor of the Flyers, it was anyone’s game.  Rupp managed to get another goal for the Rangers, evening out the score.  Finally, the New York Rangers pulled the lead from a goal from forward Brad Richards.

Though the Philadelphia Flyers led 36-33 in shots on goal by the end of the game, Richards’ goal for the Rangers was enough to bring them the win with a score of 3-2.

“It was a really disappointing loss for the Flyers,” junior Tyler Levin said.  “I think there were some bad calls, and they needed to work more as a team.  They just weren’t working smoothly.”

The tension in the third period was easily sensible, especially looking at the penalty stats.  Each team had three penalties, including a penalty shot for Flyer Danny Briere caused by Ranger Ryan McDonagh and ten minutes for misconduct for Flyer Scott Hartnell.

“There was a lot of pressure on me out there,” Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said.  “I couldn’t believe they made that call, but it was exciting.  The whole game was exciting, but the end was certainly exciting.”

The game was held atCitizensBankParkinPhiladelphia, where the Philadelphia Phillies play.  Each year, the Winter Classic is held at an outdoor constructed rink and usually takes place on the first day of the year.  However, this year it took place on the second because it conflicted with NFL scheduling.

There were also conflicts with weather inPhiladelphia.  The game was scheduled for 1pm, but got postponed on game day because it was too sunny and warm; therefore the ice had a chance of melting and becoming slushy.  The puck dropped promptly at the rescheduled time of 3pm, and the weather was excellent for hockey.  It even snowed a bit in the second period.

“It was great and really worth it to play in this game,” Lundqvist said.  “And when it started snowing the second period, that was awesome.”

With an attendance of 46,967 people according to the NHL, the game didn’t quite outdo last year’s attendance of 68,111 people when the Washington Capitals defeated their rival the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1, but the game did bring great crowds to enjoy a hockey filled day, classic outdoor style.

Katie Pesek

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