Flyers-Pens Draws Crowd Of 67,000 For Stadium Series At Heinz Field

A crowd of 67,318 "turned out" for last night's Flyers-Penguins Stadium Series game at Heinz Field, the second NHL outdoor game held at the Steelers' home venue. There was "no precipitation of consequence, but there was a strong wind for much of the evening." The Penguins won 4-2 (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/26). Gusts at ice level "became so disruptive the NHL decided to have the teams switch sides midway through the third period in an effort to even out the amount of time the teams shot in each direction" (AP, 2/26).

The crowd also "endured 36-degree weather at the opening faceoff, swirling winds and even snow flurries." It "wasn't quite the scene of the inaugural Winter Classic in Buffalo," which the Penguins participated in. But the game "perfectly captured the second chapter" of Penguins C Sidney Crosby's career, the "post-concussion Crosby who leads the league in goals" (TRIBLIVE.com, 2/26). It was the "most ideal evening for an outdoor hockey game" (TRIBLIVE.com, 2/26).