Slideshow: Winter Classic 2008

Before the Chicago Blackhawks prepare to battle with their bitter rivals the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Jan. 1, let's look back at the first Winter Classic.
The first outdoor NHL game on U.S. soil was played on Jan. 1, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Here's some art from that game between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Game Time

Georges Laraque and Ty Conklin of the Pittsburgh Penguins take the ice.

Look at Lindy

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff is ready as anyone for the contest.

Working the Crowd

Sabre Tooth did his job.

Crashing the Net

Ryan Miller wisely covers up with baby blue sweaters in the area.

Spa-Check

Jaroslav Spacek puts the body on a Penguin against the boards.

Celebration

The Sabres hit the scoreboard on a blast from Brian Campbell.

Sid the Kid

Sidney Crosby skates by opponents as snow blankets the stadium.

Sudden Stop

Thomas Vanek puts the brakes on deep in the Pittsburgh zone, as Darryl Sydor and Ty Conklin look on.

Shootout Success

Ales Kotalik beats Ty Conklin to give the Sabres the early lead in the shootout.

Game Over

Superstar Sidney Crosby gives the NHL just what it wants - the highlight shootout-winning goal on Ryan Miller.