The temperature Tuesday at Nationals Park hovered around 41 degrees, and with "similar conditions expected" for Thursday’s 1:00pm ET Bridgestone Winter Classic between the Capitals and Blackhawks, both teams have been advised by the NHL "that the start time could be delayed to allow the sun to reach a more favorable spot," according to Chuck Gormley of CSN WASHINGTON. Capitals LW Brooks Laich said, “We were warned today there might be a time change based on glare. Too much sun. I think I’d rather deal with sun than rain. Even with sun you’re going to have a better product on the ice (CSNWASHINGTON.com, 12/31). The CP's Stephen Whyno noted weather changing the start time of a Winter Classic "is nothing new to the Capitals." Rain forced the '11 game in Pittsburgh "to be moved to nighttime, and even then it wasn’t clear and perfect." The plan is "still for this to be an afternoon game." A league spokesperson said that a change to the start time "wouldn’t be contemplated until game day" (CP, 12/30).
COLD AS ICE: Capitals color analyst Craig Laughlin on Tuesday "participated in a VIP hockey game and called the ice surface 'fantastic.'" But CSN WASHINGTON's Gormley noted there is still duct work "that needs to be completed, which will bring heat to the players’ benches, which will face home plate." The game will feature "spinning lights and ... smoke and pyrotechnics that will escort both teams as they skate on a makeshift reflecting pool that leads from a Capitol building replica to the player benches." The rink "is surrounded by billowing blankets that resemble snow, and a giant red, white and blue star," with the Blackhawks logo in left field and the Capitals logo in right field (CSNWASHINGTON.com, 12/30). In DC, Scott Allen wrote, "The mini Capitol is the greatest Winter Classic design feature of all-time and the mini Capitol ... should remain in Nationals Park after New Year’s Day." More Allen: "I have long thought that the circular scoreboard would make an excellent base for a mini Capitol dome." If "done well, like the mini Capitol at the Winter Classic, it could help establish a sense of place, however artificial, that Nationals Park has always lacked" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/29).
I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL: In DC, Kelyn Soong noted the "signature dish available at the annual outdoor NHL event will be the District Duel, a foot-long half smoke topped with Chicago-style slow-roasted Italian beef, creole mustard, banana peppers and giardiniera, combining the flavors" of both the DC and Chicago. The District Duel "will cost $15 and is scheduled to be available at select Capitals games at Verizon Center after the Winter Classic" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/24).
LACKING LUSTER? The CP's Whyno wrote this year's game "lacks league-wide buzz." For the first time, the "crown jewel of the regular season isn't a matchup of long-time rivals." And it is at seven-year-old Nationals Park, "not a historic stadium that attracts extra attention" (CP, 12/28). But USA TODAY's Kevin Allen writes, "Anyone who believes the NHL's outdoor hockey concept has lost its charm probably has not seen a Winter Classic in person. This is an event where you have to be there to appreciate the romance." Every Winter Classic since '09 has "seemed like the annual festival of hockey." Those who "believe outdoor hockey has run its course don't take into account how big these games are in the host cities." The fan watching his sixth outdoor game on TV "might feel like he has seen enough." But it is a "far different experience when you are there in person." Allen: "It's enchanting" (USA TODAY, 12/31).
