Confirmed: Bruins to play at Fenway on Jan. 1

Chad nice spot.

I am "in" for this one. would prefer the canadiens as an opponent...

Holy crap that would be phenomenal. I will do anything I need to to get me some tickets.

i hope we play the canadiens

Still might have some castaway phishheads leftover then!

Bring on the Rangers for the winter classic. Sve the Canadiens for beatings in the playoffs. And yes, pray for cold weather.

Nice. It's a shame the rumored BU v. BC game at Fenway never came about but this would be pretty cool. So does this mean that Ty Conklin has to sign with the Bruins, Canadians, or Rangers next year?

I AM SO THERE!!!!

we went to the game in Chicago this year and must say Gillette would be a better choice. Don't get me wrong - Fenway is amazing but the baseball diamond doesn't map well to a hockey rink. The lower seats - those we all wish we were able to sit in for a Sox game - get blocked by the boards. Anything farther back is just too far away. If at Fenway I do hope they figure out a better placement for the ice than Wrigley..and don't charge $200 a seat for those people who can't see the ice.

I would have preferred Gillette for the larger crowd. That Buffalo crowd with the tailgate was a lot better spectacle than Wrigley last year. I'm sure it will be a good show, though, and hopefully they'll continue to make their outdoor surface more stable/playable.

I hope it happens I am there for that game . A Bruins /Habs game is always great but this would be amazing
Even better if Lord Stanley's cup was there with the 2008-2009 Bruins Team listed as the champions

the idea that the Bruins would face the Rangers is ridiculous.

1..Montreal is the Bruins longest and most emotional rivalry
2. It is about time a Canadian team is in the winter classic
3. NYC wants the classic sooner rather than later, so shouldn't send the home team to play in the winter classic in Boston. (yes, i'm ignoring the Islanders, as we all should).

i saw the game on tv last year and wondered what fool would sit in the freezing stands to watch an outdoor game. now i know, me.

DUUUUUUUPPPPPPPEEEEEESSSSSSS!! Nice job!! Can't be out done by Gayle and Laura or whatever those Inside Track girls names are.

Hopefully season ticket holders get first dibs...

WHOO!!! This will be awesome!!! at Fenway,. no less!!! This will be awesome!!!

This is the best news I've heard all week. I knew it was just a matter of time before the B's played the Winter Classic, I'm just pleased it's sooner rather than later.

There were probably better choices than Fenway for the game, but I'm not complaining.

Now let's just hope that real fans can afford tickets and we don't just get a bunch of bandwagon jumpers - especially after the Bruins bring home the Cup this June!

I have already sent the NHL and NCAA an email, and I implore others to follow suit, asking them to work with BU and BC where they would play a game prior to the B's vs. Habs/Rangers. This needs to happen.

Wow. Tickets will be absurdly expensive for this. Hopefully i can grab some.

Coming down from T.O. for this!! Liked the element of the light snowfall when it was in Buffalo 2 years ago; like pond hockey. Must have been rough to skate on.
Hope they wear some retros. . . and we win!

I wonder how to go about getting tickets???? where to get this info?

I would bet money they host Montreal. It's a no-brainer to try having a Winter Classic at the new Yankee Stadium in the near future, so the planners are probably holding off on the Rangers.

I was in Chicago for this year's Classic, and it was great! The previous poster (hockey_fan) was correct about the sightlines, though. Fortunately I had very good seats. Hopefully I'll have the same luck at Fenway...

I think it should be an East/West match. Against; San Jose, Anaheim, Dallas or one of the sun belt teams that will never host a game because it's not cold enough outside. Boston vs Dallas or St Louis would be entertaining.

That will be a good game the bruins and habs are old rivals and many old time legends from both teams will probably be there. FENWAY MAKES A GREAT SITE JUST LIKE WRIGLEY DID THIS YEAR.

Great, there goes my next year's tax refund.

I'm with ya hockey_fan. At that point you're only there for the 'experience' of being there... not so much to see a hockey game. if I can score some tickets I'm going to hope it's in an area that I can actually see the game.

Makes sense for them to play Montreal. A lot of fans will come down from Quebec for the game.

The Caps or the Flyers? The Habs or the Rangers would be sooo much better.... What beats an Original Six match up?

I hope we get a fun Nor'easter for this one like in Buffalo-
Start Saving your money now kids to attend this event! :)

If not the Canadiens then how about the Rangers or Leafs?? An original 6 team would make the most sense

Very Exciting!

I think they should put the ice on the diamond or along the right field line and build addl. stands in front of the green monster / center field wall. Even with this configuration fans have to realize they are going for the whole scene more than actually seeing the puck.

We'll be there if we can afford the tix (and they are available). Could have filled Gilette with over 70,000 if it were available. With temp stands in left field, game should draw close to 40,000.

Those who want to be there may have to pay a steep price. I believe the NHL turned aside something like 80,000 ticket applications in Chicago this year. It will be a lottery process with very few actual seats available (after NHL personnel and sponsors are taken care of).

While the Canadiens would be a good matchup, did you people read the article? "But it appears the Habs will not be coming to Fenway. " It's either the Caps or Flyers. I'd love to see Ovechkin play in Fenway personally.

It will be worth it just to hear KPD whine about the frigid wind coming over the left field wall

Unless you are a B's or Red Sox season tix holder....forget about going to this game. You won't be able to see anything anyway. Fenway Park sucks.....

How could they Not face the Habs? the flyers? noway the Caps? i know the league wants to showcase ovi, but The Habs come on origianl six rivalry right there

You can not use an NFL field for this ebcause they still play Football in January.

Fenway hosted the Patriots for a few years. They had bleachers in front of the green monster with the field running from the third base line out into right field. That would probably make the most sense here and they could build those bleachers such that they offered a decent view.

This is great, but.............

I would MUCH rather see the B's vs the HABs in Gillette. Could you imagine how insane that would be? There would be 30,000 hab fans among 65,000 Fans. The tailgating and atmosphere would be unbelievable. The rest of the country would see what a rivarly this really is. Two countrys and Two cities that have been battling on the ice for 85 + years would be awesome.
I hope its not the Caps. Not enough history with that organization. Give me 1) Habs 2) Rangers 3) Philly.

The only reason they could use Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo is that they knew the Bills wouldn't be playing January.

They HAVE to play Monteal, or it's just not the same!!

The opponent must be an Original Six team or the Flyers. Gillette would be fine but it lacks the history and quirkiness and, as the article says, a conflict with a Patriots play-off game is possible.

The Winter Classic isn't about which venue can hold more fans or where they will be able to see the game better. It's all about how it will look on tv, and Fenway is the runaway favorite for that. It's all about marketing the game to US viewers and that's why it makes sense for the B's to play the Capitals and Ovechkin too.

Fenway is nice but Harvard Stadium would be better sightlines.

I thnk everyone agrees that Fenway has an historical element that Gillette cannot match. However, Gillette should have been the choice. It seems they are trying to force feed Fenway and an opponent, other than looking at what is best for everyone. Great points made for Gillette and Montreal as an opponent.

It's won't be Montreal!!
NBC owns the rights to the game and they don't have the rights to broadcast it in Canada.

Iy wouldn't be a WINTER CLASSIC without Montreal

do they teach you how to read in Boston?

Sounds like 250 or more a ticket thanks to Fenway selling to Scalpers.

@Joe Re: Season Ticket Holders

I would assume since the outdoor game is a regular season game, it would be included in the season ticket package (assuming one bought the 42 game package).

not the bloody Caps. has to be the Habs. with BU/Mich as an opener. and while Gillette aint Fenway, it would be a much better overall experience for those at the game with the tailgating and being able to see the ice (but who cares about that? its about tv).

Of course, in Gary Bettman's NHL, they will do what their corporate sponsors want instead of what the fans want. They HAVE to play the Habs! If not, the NHL has to go with another original six rivalry, not the Flyers or Caps. I could see them wanting the Caps because of Ovechkin but the Flyers??

The North Shore is going to be a ghost town January 1st.

"The only reason they could use Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo is that they knew the Bills wouldn't be playing January.

Posted by Craig April 9, 09 01:17 PM"

OUCH

I think the Capitals would make the most sense. Philly and New York will probably both host their own games in the future, and while the Canadiens rivalry would be a big draw, part of the goal of the Winter Classic is to draw in casual fans in the U.S. With the Capitals, you get the star power of Ovechkin, plus the Bruins and Caps are the 1-2 teams in the East, with all their games being pretty close this year, so it would most likely be a competitive game.

Fenway is a terrible place for a hockey game. The lower bowl is not steep enough to see the ice. Gillette would be perfect. They have to somehow figure a way to get it there.

So fired up for this. I will say that I attended the game in Chicago last year though, and it is a HUGE mistake having it at Fenway over Gillette (and yes, they could set the rink up and take it down in one week if there was football. Gillette has an artificial surface). Sight lines are awful. Also, the bathrooms of older baseball stadiums just barely hold their own with the many breaks of nine innings. With only 2 intermissions, count on 40 minutes and the most ridiculous panick stricken, pee-laden herd of drunks you've ever seen at the men's room.

I agree that Montreal would be the best opponent, but that wouldn't drive TV ratings...New York would. Seeing that New York wants to host their own game in 2011 or 2012 (maybe at the new Giants Stadium?), you will probably see the Caps come to town.

What a neat idea! How can I get tix. . .

The Habs and Rangers do make the most sense. But there's nothing wrong with Philly or the Caps.

The Bruins and Flyers have a good rivalry, both old battles with the Broad Street Bullies, and of course the recent Bergeron thing.

The Caps and Bruins have a quiet but contentious relationship. You've got Tim Taylor's toe, the Dafoe Kolzig Brawl, and they are the two best teams in the conference this year. Plus the NHL does want Ovechkin on that stage.

if they don't play Montreal, this is the biggest waste of time ever.

It should be against an original 6, if not Montreal, then NYR or Philly would be fine.
Maybe BU BC can play a prelude game... it is Fenway, so let's play two!

It should definitely be the Caps. Philly fans are obnoxious (I have first hand experience - U.Penn fans kidnapped my school's mascot at a college football game there!) and who wants New Yorkers coming to Fenway? The Caps and Bs can't square off in the playoffs, so this will be second best.

Face value for tix at Wrigley was almost 300 bucks, but I'll pay it. Can't wait to be there. And yes, the Habs would be a no-brainer. Still, Caps or Flyers work too.

I know sightlines are better at Gillette, but there's something about Fenway> Just like when they have concerts there now. Even if you're in crappy seats, it's about being there. And I'll be there to see the B's battle whomever.

First things first LET'S BRING HOME THE CUP!

Is anyone surprised it would be Washington? They showcased Crosby in year one, The best team in the NHL in year two (Detroit) and then Ovechkin in year three. Makes sense, even though I'd rather the Habs.

Why do people still think it will be Montreal?
Did you read the article?

Montreal WILL not be playing at Fenway! It says so in the article plus there are reasons no candian team has been in the last few Winter Classics. NBC owns the broadcasting rights and they can't Broadcast the game in Canada.

Not the Caps.

We should play a team we can beat in regulation!

People, it is simple.... The NHL wants Ovechkin to be in there biggest spotlight game. The B's will play the Capitals in this game. It is a certainty. Although I would MUCH rather see them play Montreal

Give the true fans what they want. Typical capitalistic BS!!! Making a few extra $ is more important than giving true fans what they want. How could anyone have a game like this and not invite the Montreal Canadiens??!! Where is the tradition? Where is the Rivalry? Caps or flyers is a joke!!!

I hear Cam Neely plays outside all winter long, and is interest in this game.

James and others who claim we did "not read the article" about the Habs playing in Fenway... this is what the article ORIGINALLY stated:

"Over the last three months, speculation has been that the Bruins' opponent will be the Canadiens because the last two outdoor games, in Orchard Park, NY, and at Wrigley Field in Chicago, did not include a Canadian-based team. To include the Habs would appease the league's Canadian-based broadcast partners. "

If this article wasn't edited 30 times, it would make a lot more sense to everyone reading and subsequently judging comments that were left during the varying states of 'completion'. Thank you and have a great day.

Montreal - or at least an O-6 team.

How are you going to see anything from the seats at Fenway??? Should be at Gillette where you could actually see the action on the ice. And why not an original 6 team to play against then the stupid Caps???

I say toronto . . .

Some of you don't realize they want new teams in this, NYR will have one soon, Montreal was already in the 03 one.

I can't wait for this, I hope as a season ticket holder we will get first access since its probably only about 10-12,000 that would have access out of a possible 40,000.

When do the red sox get to play at the garden?

Why not Toronto? An Original 6 team that's bound to be better next year. They won't be able to have a real Winter Classic up there with the Rogers Centre dome. If not the Leafs, then I say Philly. Sure, you get the jerks from down there, but at least they'd be spending money in Boston. And it would be kind of like a Yankees-Red Sox crowd as well. The B's have some history with Washington, but there's more hatred here for Philly.
They can't do ice for this thing in a week. It takes at least 2 weeks for them to do it so the ice has time to set up and harden correctly, otherwise there will be more divots in the ice than there were in the grass when Ramirez played in front of the wall

I think this outside game stuff is pure novelty. I really can't stand it. I guess as long as there's a couple of good fights it will be alright.

Sure, Fenway has the panache, but Harvard Stadium has some history, too, not to mention better sight lines and a larger capacity. Even Alumni Stadium at BC would be better for fans. Maybe a Junior Beanpot at one of those venues some year??

What about BC stadium for this? They could follow it with a BC BU game. College kids would probably have to go second since they will want to preserve the ice for the NHL game.

I'm there, especially if there's a BC BU game! Very cool idea

"The only reason they could use Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo is that they knew the Bills wouldn't be playing January.

Posted by Craig April 9, 09 01:17 PM"

Or maybe they just looked at a calendar and realized Jan 1st wasn't on a Sat or Sun so it wouldn't interfere with the Bills. Jan 1st A.D. 2010 is on a Friday, when have the Patriots EVER played a game on Fri? They just use this as an excuse to have it at historic Fenway Park, Bettman doesn't care about the fans in attendance being able to see the game. It makes for better TV to have it at Fenway so you will get it there with 2 American teams. And probably someone named Crosby or Ovechkin.

do season ticket holders get this game?

And miss BC in the Orange Bowl? I don't think so :) :) :)...

The HAB's will not play in this game. The NHL requires that the game to be between 2 teams that are not mathematically eliminated from a playoff spot on Jan 1. Thus the Canadien's will be excluded.

Enjoy Carey Price for the next few years. Ole-Ole.

" It seems they are trying to force feed Fenway and an opponent, other than looking at what is best for everyone."
Posted by Bob B April 9, 09 01:39 PM

Thinking about what's best for everyone? If by everyone you mean "everyone in Boston," then you're right, it should be the Habs. But if you mean everyone as in everyone in the country who might potentially watch this game, then you can't argue against having the biggest star in the game.

This will be awesome. Bruins, first NHL franchise in the US in Fenway - needs no more.

Gillette is too big - did you see the shots of play at Wrigley? It's out in the 'burbs, and the Bruins are not a 'burb team. It'll be amazing, all the more so when we win!

Like any hockey fan, I would love to see the Habs square off against Boston in the outdoor game, but I think most of the posters here have overlooked the reason that it won't be Montreal.

The Habs have already played outside.

This is a relatively new thing for the NHL, and only six teams have so far had the opportunity to play outside - Edmonton, Montreal, Detroit, Buffalo, Pittsburg, and Chicago. It would not be fair to the other teams to have it go to a team that's already had a crack at it. There are other teams that Boston has history with that wopuld make more sense than Washington though - Toronto, Rangers, Philly, St. Louis, and maybe Ottawa because they're the only other division team not mentioned

"The HAB's will not play in this game. The NHL requires that the game to be between 2 teams that are not mathematically eliminated from a playoff spot on Jan 1. Thus the Canadien's will be excluded.

Posted by fzappa April 9, 09 04:16 PM"

That would've been funny if the Habs weren't going to the playoffs next week.

Kovy,

Not Yet. Enjoy Ryan O'Byrne the next few years. Ole, Ole.

I wish this were a series rather than a game - I suspect they could sell out Fenway 2 or 3 times in the time it takes to process the sales. And who else but the Habs? Unless, of course, the Bruins get to the Finals against the Red Wings.

Good lord, we need to start a petitiion in Boston before they decide bring the Capitals here for the winter classic. OTher than Montreal, Rangers and Philly being my top three choices. I wouldn't mind seeing Toronto, if they could ever get a competitive team up there on the teachers union payroll. After those 4 teams, it just doesn't matter. It wil be a big party in Boston, other than a Pats playoff game, we don't have anything else like this during mid-winter.

Fenway is an old dump with no bathrooms that has a wonderful marketing spin on it, that brings out pink hats and non-locals to drive up prices. As they say "in the US we think 100 years is old and in Europe they think 100 miles is far". I apologize to everybody beforehand,but it is the truth.

Kovy, you must not have paid attention the past few years, who cares when Jan 1st is the point is that the Patriots will be playing at the end of December and to get the ice set up properly and not be rushed like they were in Buffalo they need about 10 days. Something that won't happen because the Patriots will be in the playoffs come beginning of Jan.

I was in Chicago for the game in January. We had no luck scoring tickets but had a great time watching it on TV in the bars near Wrigley, all of which (and there are more bars around Wrigley than you can imagine) were packed! It was awesome! Maybe we'll get lucky and get to watch in person at Fenway.

It should be Montreal. Screw the politics. Also, it should be at Gillette, not as much history but would be a better arena. Plus, the idea of tailgating a hockey game would be pretty rad.

Unless you are a B's or Red Sox season tix holder....forget about going to this game. You won't be able to see anything anyway. Fenway Park sucks.....

u know what it dosent matter what the place looks like. it is about being the best fan out there GOOOO REDSOX,BRUINS

Can you say virtual waiting room?????

Fenway can fit 40,000 max for this event. The Bruins will have roughly 10,000 season ticket holders next year. The Red Sox have 22,000 season ticket holders. After the NHL, Bruins, Red Sox, networks and advertisers get their tickets, that leaves very few for the general public.

If the NHL were run by smart people... they'd have some temporary seating built and stored so they could at 20k seats to any given outdoor venue. If they pick the toughest structural standards in the US and exceed them by 10-15% for strength they can use them for years and years.

Bruins vs Canadiens...
Best rivalry in Hockey period!!!!
After their series last year the rest of the playoffs were boring, not one had the intensity for all 7 games that they had, so bring on the Canadiens!
That should be the team and Fenway is perfect venue.

Cheers to the greatest sports city in the WORLD, thats right the WORLD!!!

best place for watching a hockey game outdoors in/around boston- harvard stadium. best place for watching a hockey game outdoors w. luxury boxes and all the other crap necessary to keep corporate sponsors happy- alumni stadium. next best choice- gillette (obviously not a legitimate possibility). i'll definitely watch the game, probably from a bar on friends street. it's a cool idea, but the execution is way too profit based for your average hockey fan to enjoy the spectacle, let alone have a line of sight to the ice surface from a seat in fenway. do they even let you bring binoculars into sporting events now? i dunno, but you'll definitely need them if you plan to see anything

It has to be the Habs. No other team makes sense.

NBC has already ruined hockey coverage, they should not destroy the obvious choice for an outdoor game in Boston.

Bruins dont want it to be the flyers or we will have another Bergeron incident and his nephews will have to their eyes again....

So let me get this straight. The Bruins are good again and they are getting the hockey worlds respect and attention enough to get the showcase NHL game of the year, and people are complaining about the opponent? Aside from a 10-2 thumping last year, all games vs Washington the last few years have been close and exciting. I have no problem with Fenway or the Caps. Just be happy we're good enough to be having this conversation

ticket info?????????????????????????/

With the Islanders most likely to pick Taveres,you will start to see more of them soon.Plus any die hard bruin fan knows the Islanders were their nightmare in the playoffs in the early 80's when they went to the finals 5 years in a row.The islanders have more of a historic rivalry with the bruins then the rangers do.

I JUST PURCHASED SEASON TICKETS JUST SO I COULD GO THE THIS GAME I REALLY HOPE IT HAPPENS

canadiens fan here, but more importantly a hockey fan. this must be an original 6.

it must be the canadiens/bruins

Give me a breake with the Original 6, Man times are changing> Change is good GO CAPSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a ovechkin and chara matchup would be epic and a mike green savard

What will the price range be to see this game on January 1st?

When will tthe tickets go on sale?

Do they go to the season ticket holders first and then the general public?

In Chicago, we had our biggest rival, Detroit. I think its only fair to have the Habs or NYR play this game. Also, to the idiot that said Wrigley Field is in the suburbs....WHAT? Its in Lakeview, which, last I checked, is a huge neighborhood in the busiest part of the northside of CHICAGO.

Red sox will not be getting tickets to this game.. it doesnt matter that the venue is fenway park there is no way the NHL or the bruins organization will allow that

How do I get tickets?

Any word on tickets?

Sincerely,

Bruins diehards in Houston Texas

this is so cool having it out doors? cant wait to see this i saw it last year on tv now i get to see it in person going to be so much fun???????????? i love hockey so much its going to be a blast seeing it in person i can not wait???????????????????????