Winter Classic 2012: Rangers Rally in What Was Another Classic Moment for NHL

At some point the Winter Classic is going to fall flat and fail to impress. The 2012 edition featuring the Flyers and Rangers escaped that fate and delivered yet another memorable game that was truly classic. 

The game was pushed back a couple hours to skirt bad weather, and things were simply perfect on the ice in an exciting games that even fair-weather hockey fans would have enjoyed. 

Any sports fan will tell you that nothing is perfect. With every Super Bowl that engaged with tough and tight play, there were just as many that nearly put you to sleep. 

Epic clashes are numerous, and so are the duds. It's with that sentiment that we await the one Winter Classic that fails to live up to the handful that have already captivated. 

On Monday, we were again treated to a hard-hitting clash with much on the line. The Rangers would hold onto the victory after a masterful save from Henrik Lundqvist. That also ensured the Rangers would stay atop the Eastern Conference. 

The game belonged to Mike Rupp who scored twice for New York. The Rangers have now beaten the Philadelphia Flyers for the third time this season. 

As it were, the third time was simply charming for fans that saw a rink that took over Citizens Bank Park and had Christmas Trees adorn the outskirts of the rink. 

While the rink was surrounded by thousands of screaming fans, there was something wholly intimate and quaint about the scene. It was hockey by Norman Rockwell. 

It is hard to believe, but every single Winter Classic has been an engaging time for fans, and this one blew them all away. 

I hate to think that at some point there will be a miss, but that doesn't stop me from wishing the next Winter Classic weren't a year away. 

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