Rangers show up at Citi Field to talk 2018 Winter Classic
Rangers show up at Citi Field to talk 2018 Winter Classic
On September 8th, the Rangers, Sabres, NHL, NHLPA, Bridgestone and the Mets organization hosted a brief press conference at Citi Field. Ryan McDonagh and Rick Nash were the representatives from the Rangers while Jason Pominville, Ryan O’Reilly and Jack Eichel were the representatives from the Sabres.
This upcoming winter classic is especially noteworthy as it is the tenth anniversary of the first winter classic. This upcoming winter classic will also be Buffalo’s second time playing outdoors. The first winter classic was played in Buffalo on January 1, 2008 between the Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins and the Sabres ended up playing in some intense weather conditions when snow started to fall during the game. The Penguins ended up winning in a shootout to cap off the inaugural event.
The Rangers have been involved in three prior outdoor events. They faced off against the Philadelphia Flyers at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philly on New Year’s Day in January of 2012. The Rangers ended up winning that game 3-2 thanks to a massive penalty shot save where Henrik Lundqvist stoned Daniel Briere with less than a minute left. In 2014, the NHL introduced the stadium series and the Rangers played two games in Yankee Stadium against the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders ultimately winning them both in dominating fashion.
At today’s press conference, Rangers Captain Ryan McDonagh had this to say:
“Thank you to the Mets, NHLPA, NHL and Bridgestone to help set up this amazing experience we get to encounter during the season. There are some defining moments that shape the Winter Classic so I know that both teams will compete very hard when it’s time and we can add to this great tradition that the Winter Classic has brought to our game. Walking around the stadium today with Rick and talking about the venue, it seems like there isn’t a bad sightline for any fan, very steep, you will be able to see the game pretty close and take in what should be a great experience. You never know when you are going to get an opportunity like this again so we are very fortunate, the Sabres and Rangers, to represent this year’s game for the Winter Classic. We will do our best to put on a good show and make some noise around the league, it’s a day where everyone tunes in and watches the game. It will be exciting, fun and a great time.”
The following is a photo, the Winter Classic logo for this year and a video from today’s event:
10 years after hosting the first #WinterClassic, the @BuffaloSabres head back outdoors for a New Year's Day showdown against the @NYRangers. pic.twitter.com/4bLaEFgHjt
— NHL (@NHL) September 8, 2017
#WinterClassic is coming! 🔵⚪️🔴⚪️🔵 #RangersTown pic.twitter.com/TKhdmNTkh3
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 8, 2017
A decade of amazing outdoor moments.
On January 1, the next 10 years begin. #WinterClassic https://t.co/Czg9EJk4Ui
— NHL (@NHL) September 8, 2017
The 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic takes place New Year’s Day 2018 and FullTilt Rangers will have all the latest leading up the event.
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