Chimera played the Edmonton Oilers in the Heritage Classic in 2003 against the Montreal Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium. One of the iconic images of the day was the former goalie Jose Theodore Capitals mask for the top with a hood of Canadians and is a symbol of the Chimera strong memories of that day.
"Cold," said Chimera. "Yes, it was very cold. I think it was minus 25 degrees Celsius. I do not know where Celsius and Fahrenheit answer, but it was somewhere there. Fortunately, I was a man not play in the fourth line and too much . The banks have it nice and warm. "
Similar weather conditions expected Saturday when the Capitals play the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL Winter Classic Stone Bridge at Heinz Field. While his colleagues in Edmonton Chimera prepared for extreme cold, the Penguins and Capitals will face mild temperatures and possibly rain.
The climate has always been part of the story of the Winter Classic, but this time was a positive story. If Pittsburgh and Buffalo played in the opening game in 2008, made it look like the gusts player in a snow globe for the spectators have gone.
Each of the last two seasons, he has less snow, but great game conditions - cool and cloudy. Clouds keep the sun in the eyes of the players should be available in abundance, but if they start skipping one day exceptionally warm moisture, logistics hairy receive this event.
"With the forecast, there is nothing we can" do with the rain, "Washington said the team manager Myles Brock." We can not have all the screens. I would say that I sprinkle some rain-x on the shields. There is much that really prepare. We are prepared for extreme cold, snow and sunny weather - Players have the black eyes, the shields they have the coaches have Oakley sunglasses with classic winter colors ready to go "..
If it does not steal the time the show is his hope the two NHL teams to a big show of what was to be signed when the league season. This is the fourth winter classic, but it could be the first where the game is the charm of his.
The first derby was all about the snow and the novelty of the event. The latter two are two of the most revered sports played cathedral in the country. This competition is one of the best rivalries in sports with his two biggest stars.
There was an additional expectation, because HBO decided to follow the teams around another pillar of the "24 / 7" documentary series, and was a success. The expectations for the competition between the two clubs in nine days before the event were probably too high, but the team has a prequel tempting.
"I think it's a good sign of things in the first [January] to come," Penguins forward Mike Rupp said. "I think it is because both teams are so good and no sales can lead the offense. In a way, keeps you on the edge of your seat. You do not know when the next goal will be. This can be a harmless game and the next what I know is in the back seem to be the network. "
The Capitals started the countdown to the Winter Classic in free fall from eight games in a row. They were stabilized with victories in four of the last five games and a record suddenly a strong defensive production of only 12 goals in their last seven games.
Penguins head shot in the classification of NHL in the strength of a series of 12 victories, but have since then has stabilized somewhat. Pittsburgh has four of its last eight games including a 2-1 loss to the Islanders in their last match before losing Saturday.
Sidney Crosby picked up a point in 25 straight games, but broke his stripes against the Islanders. Alex Ovechkin had the worst crisis of his career, dropped goal, but allowed two straight games.
There are stories in abundance - the rivalry, the superstars, weather, entertainment. There is also a hockey game is played - a fact that the players probably as soon as the disc is finished, the first decline Saturday.
"There's really nothing that can be said - just enjoy," said Chimera. "I remember like it was yesterday, is the only thing -.. Just enjoy and have a little longer than is normal in a game"
Eric Fehr added. "I think it is anyway a good thing, but even more because we are with the Penguins, it's as big of a rivalry and we think it's a great rivalry for the fans, so beautiful. Both teams want to to win this game really bad. "
