PHILADELPHIA — The 2012 NHL Winter Classic is an orgy of commerce, fanaticism and excess that writhes around a fairly important regular season hockey game. And we really wouldn't have it any other way.
These fans were standing on line to enter Citizens Bank Park on Jan. 2, making one last call for Coach Peter Laviolette to correct his "huMANgous big mistake" and play Ilya Bryzgalov in the Classic. Alas, there was a better chance Bryz's Siberian Husky is still single than there was him getting start (and we hear she has quite a following).
Coming up, some more sights from around the Winter Classic between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.
Outside the ballpark there's a village of sponsorship tents, as there has been for most of the outdoor games.
The majority of them involve the handing over of swag or the chance to perform some type of task to win swag. But the Molson House tent was a place to stand shoulder-to-shoulder and down suds before the game. As you can see, it was quite popular.
This Winter Classic medallion was one of the most popular giveaway items in the village. You had to hand over your information to the ladies of GEICO in order to procure one.
I said, "I'll make you a deal: I'll give you my information in exchange for (a) a medallion and (b) never having to see your terrible Cavemen commercials on my television again."
She wasn't in a position to broker said deal, so I just ended up flashing my moobs at her and she tossed me a necklace …
This was, by far, the coolest fan interactive game: Reebok offered a chance to hit either the Broad Street or the Broadway street signs with a shot. A welcome change from the norm; and by that we mean they're usually being shot with bullets.
Jersey Fouls aplenty from the Classic, including this one.
First off, it wasn't a great trade, unless you missed the part where Peter Forsberg won multiple Stanley Cups. Second off, the other trade wasn't a great one either; Pavel Brendl, anyone?
Unless this was a cynical Protest Jersey, in which case all is forgiven.
We know this is going to come as a shock to you, but this man was performing a Smashmouth song.
More than a few fans had this cheap, pirated, entirely inaccurate Flyers "Winter Classic" jersey that was being sold months before the real ones were. And honestly, they're really not that bad looking in public …
From our bar hopping travels on Sunday night with the Kurtenbloggers, Bourne and Pizzo. Leahy was saddened to discover this store name didn't mean what he hoped it'd mean.
Wayne Gretzky didn't play in the Winter Classic alumni game, but he was there in spirit. The spirit of capitalism!
From the bowels of the ballpark near the dressing rooms. We chuckled.
Bryzgalov, as the Flyers made their way onto the ice for the Jan. 1 practice. It's just hockey, you know? (And good lord that mask is gorgeous in person.)
Scottie Hartnell was uncle of the year during practice, bringing his nieces and nephews onto the ice and, during one moment, spinning around like a figure skater with them.
Alas, he fell short of medaling in this event because #HartnellDown.
If you watched the Classic on TV, you no doubt noticed the snow. Not the stuff in the air, which was dropped from the NBC plane on command from Gary Bettman. ("Give me something between Buffalo in '08 and what flies in Jimmy Howard's face during the playoffs …")
No, we mean the stuff on the ground. The fake stuff.
Truth be told, it looked incredibly real from the upper deck. But we wouldn't advise eating it. OK, those paramedics advised us not to eat any more of it, and we're imparting that knowledge to you.
And finally …
The most surreal moment of the Winter Classic.
As the Rangers got dressed and packed up their gear, rolling in comes 10-year-old Liam, a New York fan with cerebral palsy who became a sensation after he was featured on Ep. 2 of "HBO 24/7".
Coach John Tortorella grabbed a seat next to him, talking about the game and the quality of the family's seat. He pointed out a few Rangers, like Brian Boyle, who were still mulling around the room. Liam complained about the officiating. It was all very sweet.
It was also like watching a theatrical production of the HBO series, which speaks to the essence of this game: It's a grand stage for the players to do what they will with the opportunity, and for the fans to revel in it.