Expecting an unseasonal weather forecast that is calling for a high temperature of 41-degrees and some sun, the NHL decided Sunday to move up the game time of Monday's 2012 Winter Classic between the Philadelphia Fylers and New York Rangers at Citizen Bank Park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
"The revised start time is based on tomorrow's weather forecast and should offer optimal game conditions for players and fans, said an official release by the NHL"
The contest will be played on a specially made rink that needs the right temperate to stay playable. It seems that starting the game at 3 p.m. will at least preserve the ice enough for a full 60-minute contest.
Only twice in five years has there been weather issues during the Winter Classic. The first came during the inaugural in 2008, when the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins played in snow flurries at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Then, last last year at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA, the Penguins and Washington Capitals played in a bit of a drizzle during the game.
-- See SBNation Philly's StoryStream for complete Winter Classic coverage. You can visit BroadStreetHockey for the Flyers perspective. For the Rangers, check out Blueshirt Banter for the Rangers perspective.