BOSTON, Mass. – As the sun set in Boston, another Winter Classic finished. Baseball’s home of the Red Sox, Fenway Park, hosted the Boston Bruins (home) and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic that brought 39,243 fans. Bruins Jake DeBrusk scored both goals giving the Bruins the 2-1 win over the Penguins.
Referee Chris Roney drops the puck between team captains Sidney Crosby (87) and Patrice Bergeron (37) to open the game – Photo by Jack Lima
Tristan Jarry had the start in the net for the Penguins, but was pulled late in the first period, in favor of Casey DeSmith, due to a lower body injury.
No goals were scored in the first period.
Kasperi Kapanen scored the lone goal of the second at 8:40, on a feed from Danton Heinen from behind the net. The wrister from the front of the net gave the Penguins the 1-0 lead in the game.
Jake DeBrusk (74) shoots a rebound past Penguins goalie Casey DeSmith (1) for the Bruins first goal – Photo by Jack Lima
DeBrusk evened the score at the 12:14 mark, when his shot found the back of the net. Brad Marchand got the assist on the equalizer goal. DeBrusk then scored the game-winning goal, with 2:24 remaining in the game. Pittsburgh pulled their goalie, but they were not able to find the net.
Jake DeBrusk (74) scores the game winning goal late in the third period – Photo by Jack Lima
This is the second NHL outdoor game to take place at Fenway Park, following the 2010 Winter Classic. This game marks the fifth time the Bruins have played in an outdoor game, following wins in the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park, 2019 Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium and the second 2021 NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe contest at Edgewood Tahoe Resort; they lost in the 2016 Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium. They are 4-1-0 in outdoor matches.
Pittsburgh played their sixth outdoor game, tying Chicago for the most among NHL clubs. The Penguins (2-3-1) won in the 2008 Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium – the first-ever Winter Classic, 15 years ago – and 2017 Stadium Series at Heinz Field; they lost in the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field, 2014 Stadium Series at Soldier Field and 2019 Stadium Series at Lincoln Financial Field.
Pre-game player introductions – Photo by Jack Lima
Both teams brought nostalgia to gameday, as the players arrived wearing their respective teams’ hometown historical baseball jerseys, typical of the early days of Fenway Park.
Bruins legend Bobby Orr (center) shoots the First Pitch Puck to former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek as (L-R) Sidney Crosby, Zdeno Chara, Johnny Bucyk, Tim Wakefield, and Patrice Bergeron look on – Photo by Jack Lima
NFL legend Bobby Orr pitched the puck to former Red Sox catcher Jason Veritek for the opening puck drop festivities, also accompanied by Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox and Bruins legends Zdeno Chara and Johnny Bucyk. The opening ceremony included a song by the Boston Pops, and the National Anthem performed by Bell Biv DeVoe, natives of Boston, and included an F-15 flyover by the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. A live performance during the first intermission by the GRAMMY award-winning rock band The Black Keys was also a highlight for fans.
F-15 Fighter jets pregame flyover, while A giant American flag is draped over the Left Field Green Monster – Photo by Jack Lima
Lastly, the 2024 Discover Winter Classic was also announced to be in Seattle, Washington, at T-Mobile Park and will feature the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights on January 1, 2024.
Photos by Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Sidney Crosby (87) controls the puck in front of Bruins Pavel Zacha (18) and Brandon Carlo (25) as teammate Bryan Rust (17) looks on – Photo by Jack Lima
Penguins’ goalie Tristen Jarry (35) tries to cover the puck between the legs of Nick Foligno (17) and Jan Rutta (44) – Photo by Jack Lima
Penguins’ goalie Tristen Jarry (35) makes a kick save on a shot by Jake DeBrusk (74) – Photo by Jack Lima
Penguins’ defenseman Marcus Pettersson (28) tries to tie up Patrice Bergeron (37) in front of goalie Casey DeSmith – Photo by Jack Lima
Kasperi Kapanen (42) celebrates his first period goal with Danton Heinen (43) – Photo by Jack Lima
Jason Zucker (16) reacts to being checked by Charlie McAvoy (73) – Photo by Jack Lima
Bruins teammates mob Jake DeBrusk after he scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period – Photo by Jack Lima
Bruins defenseman Charlie Coyle (13) tries to control the puck as Brock McGinn (23) applies pressure – Photo by Jack Lima
Bruins defenseman Charlie Coyle (13) skates the puck away from Bryan Rust (17) – Photo by Jack Lima
Team captains Sidney Crosby (87) and Patrice Bergeron (37) shake hands at center ice after the game – Photo by Jack Lima
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