[smc]

Just back from the Winter Classic. I thought all the hockey fans out there might like to read my impressions.

But first, a note for Transjen -- sorry it had to be your Flyers that lost. But I'm not sorry it was the Bruins that beat 'em!

So, the opening ceremonies were kinda cool. Dropkick Murphys played. Even with James Taylor singing the Star Spangled Banner quite beautifully, I think Canada has a better national anthem (it ought to be a song people without extensive vocal training can sing, don't you think?). Bobby Clarke and Bobby Orr taking the first puck drop ... I was sure Clarke (who seems to have front teeth now, as my binoculars revealed) was going to deck the army guy who dropped it. Then I thought he might try to knock down the flyover Stealth Bomber with his stick. But I guess he really is old. An old Broad Street Bully.

Once the game started, the first five minutes were as intense as any NHL game I've seen. I don't think I've seen a puck hop this much since the last time I played pond hockey, and that was too many years ago to say. The Flyers scored first (a cheap goal; Tim Thomas was distracted), but threatening again, in the 2nd period, the Bruins demonstrated why they are the #1 penalty killing team in the NHL.

Then came the end. An awesome goal by the Bruins to tie, and then an ending that was just phenomenal: sudden death.

Fenway Park looked awesome for hockey, although the sight lines weren't very good. Retired Bruins numbers were hanging there with the Red Sox. It was Boston sports heaven!!!