Winter Classic 2012: Nail-Biter Between Bitter Rivals Shows Classic Here to Stay

In its fifth year, the NHL's Winter Classic was already garnering plenty of buzz.

The idea of playing outside in an annual event should have been done a long time ago, given that was how hockey was born. The fact that HBO's 24/7 has become a part of the Winter Classic doesn't hurt.

But Monday's battle between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, two bitter rivals, propelled the Winter Classic even more, and ensured that this is the NHL's signature event outside of the Stanley Cup Finals.

You couldn't have asked for any more on Monday. Played in the chilly air of Philadelphia, both teams battled back and forth up until the final seconds. It took goalie Henrik Lundqvist to stop Daniel Briere on a penalty shot with 19.6 seconds left to ensure the Rangers' 3-2 victory.

Lundqvist described the last few minutes as a "big battle," via USA Today.

Said the Rangers' Mike Rupp, who played in last year's Winter Classic as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins:

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"I just remember last year it was very tough playing from behind. It's just the way any surface is. It's not going to be getting better. It's going to be getting worse. We did the same thing that Washington did to Pittsburgh last year (a 3-1 Capitals win)."

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That's another thing the outside environment does to the game: it legitimately changes it and adds a different dimension.

That's why the Winter Classic will always have a place in hockey. It's a change of pace, appeases the traditionalists of the sport and only costs two points if you lose.

But even those two points, in the context of the Winter Classic, can seem like they mean a lot.

Said Rupp:

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"We don't want to get caught up in (excitement). It wasn't Game 7. It was fun to be a part of, but it's two points. We can't let our heads get too big."

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When a game like this exacts such excitement over two points, why wouldn't you want this to last forever? It brings ratings for the sport and is good for die-hard fans and the broader public.

Tonight marked a year until the next Winter Classic.

Start the countdown now.