Rangers and Flyers alumni gather. Photo by: Stacy Podelski

Day One of the 2012 NHL Winter Classic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania featured a day of fun, and legendary memories, as greats from both the Flyers and Rangers gathered to play in front of 45,000 strong at Citizens Bank Park.

With both the Park and Spectator Plaza filled to the brim with Orange and Black jerseys,in the kick-off to the multi-day celebration of the NHL. Fans got to experience everything from live performances, to trivia, to being able to participate in a fast shot contest.

The day concluded with the Alumni Game between the Flyers and the Rangers. Though Philadelphia won by a final of 3-1, being able to see such greats as Mark Messier, Brian Leetch took the ice one last time against Flyers legends Bob Clarke and old friends Eric Lindros and Jeremy Roenick was enough to give fans the experience of a lifetime.

New York’s dream line of Messier, Leach and Adam Graves scored the lone goal for the Blueshirts. Meanwhile it must have felt like old time for Flyers fans, as Lindros reminded fans just how amazing of a player he was.

Lindros had his NHL career shortened due to concussions, showed-off his amazing hand-eye coordination in a beautiful pass to John LeClair for the first Flyers goal.

Philadelphia will be a hockey hotbed until Monday, when the current Rangers and Flyers are expected to take the ice in the crown jewel event for the NHL.  The game between New York and Philly is slated to air on the NBC network with face-off slated for 1:00 p.m.

Written on January 1, 2012