Top Five Most Memorable Moments of Attending the 2012 Winter Classic

The 2012 NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia was an enormous success for both the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers, as well as for the NHL itself.

With a sold-out crowd of 46,967, any Rangers fan in attendance was greatly outnumbered. But there were so many great reasons to be a proud Rangers fan in enemy territory.

Without any further ado, here are my Top 5 most memorable moments of attending the 2012 Winter Classic as a Rangers fan.

5) The Atmosphere and Fellow Blueshirt Fans

Citizens Bank Park was completely transformed for the 2012 Winter Classic.

In fact, it would be hard at times to remember that you're in the same stadium where the Philadelphia Phillies play, aside from the giant logo near the scoreboard and the remnants of baseball season at concession stands.

The cold, fresh air and light snow that eventually formed by the middle of the game would completely engross any hockey fan. Tens of thousands of Flyers fans, and a small (by comparison) but faithful Rangers crowd kept that stadium rocking all night long.

Watching the Blueshirts skate out onto the open ice after their grand entrance was unforgettable. It was clear you weren't in Madison Square Garden anymore, and the outdoor game was clearly a sight to behold.

Anyone who attended the 2012 Winter Classic knows, as a New York Rangers fan, you were gravely outnumbered. But that didn't stop any Rangers fan from screaming loud and clear that they are a faithful fan. 

Before the game, while the crowds were proceeding into the stadium, there was a group of about 100 Rangers fans on the city block chanting loud and clear, "Let's Go Rangers," while Philadelphia Flyers fans answered right back.

The Rangers faithful kept the chants up throughout the game whenever we were down (but not out), and of course when we scored. 

The energy and emotions were high—and contagious—for any true Rangers fan in attendance at the Winter Classic.

4) Mike Rupp's Answering Goal

At the game, it was heart breaking for Rangers fans to watch the Philadelphia Flyers lead the game 2-0 late in the second period. After Claude Giroux scored the second goal at 14:21 in the second period, it was beginning to look like the Rangers would have a hard time answering back and staying in the game.

But while Flyers fans were still on their feet cheering in the stands, they suddenly all went quiet for a second, then yelled out in disgust.

Rangers forward Mike Rupp delivered the answering goal just thirty seconds later at 14:51 and lit up the lamp.

Oh, how sweet it was.

Rupp also performed his now-infamous mockery of Jagr's "goal salute," which added even more salt to the wound of Flyers' egos everywhere.

3) Brad Richards' Game-Winning Goal

After Mike Rupp's amazing two-goal streak to tie the game 2-2 in the third, the Rangers would need one more to win the game. Coming back from a two-goal deficit was invigorating for the New York Rangers –but it wouldn't be enough.

Enter Brad Richards, who scored the game-winning goal at 5:21 late in the third period.

The fact that the Rangers found a way to score three unanswered goals was a testament to the hard working, gritty identity formed by Rangers head coach John Tortorella.

Richards' goal shattered so many Flyers fans hopes of staying in the game, but it wasn't over yet. 

2) Henrik Lundqvist's Penalty Shot Save

With only 19.6 seconds remaining in the third period, Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh was called for illegally grabbing the puck as it began to cross the goal line into the Rangers net. A penalty shot was awarded to Philadelphia, and Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette chose Daniel Briere to take the shot.

If the Flyers were going to tie the game, this was their best—if not their last—opportunity.

Briere came in and tried to sneak the puck through the 5-hole of Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist.

But it wouldn't be enough, as Lundqvist made a pad save and emphatically celebrated.

Philadelphia Flyers fans were so positive that Briere would score that everyone in my section jumped to their feet and started to cheer, but quickly realized there was no goal and no reason to celebrate.

The Rangers were merely seconds away from sealing the big win...

1) Winning the Winter Classic

Parking: $30
Food: $30
Winter Classic tickets: $375 each off of StubHub
Winning the Winter Classic: Priceless

For all of the media hype and coverage of the 2012 Winter Classic, attending the game lived up to every expectation I had. I was confident the New York Rangers had the depth and skill to walk away victorious.

Watching that nail-biter of a finish, there was no better feeling for any Rangers fan in attendance than when the game was over, and the Rangers were the winner by a score of 3-2.

The Flyers gave everything they had in the closing seconds of the third period, but it wasn't enough. A fight near the Rangers net even broke out, and Lundqvist had to momentarily celebrate by himself while waiting for the fight to end, until the entire Rangers bench could clear and come onto the ice to celebrate.

It was the most memorable experience I have ever had as a New York Rangers fan, next to watching the Rangers win the Stanley Cup as a young fan in 1994. And there was no better feeling than walking out of Citizens Bank Park wearing my Rangers sweater as a proud fan after the big win.

The Philadelphia Flyers had to be disappointed that they couldn't deliver what an entire city had expected of them.

As thousands of upset Flyers fans held their heads down low exiting Citizens Bank Park, I had my chin up and gave high fives to fellow Rangers fans.

Victory was ours.