Hockey fans will have to wait a little while longer to watch the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day. The Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins will now play at 8 p.m. at Heinz Field on NBC. The NHL made the decision to push back the original 1 p.m. start time because of the latest weather reports. An approaching front will produce steady rain throughout the afternoon in Pittsburgh, but is expected to end by early evening with cooler, drier air prevailing.
“There really seems to be no uncertainty of the weather professionals that we’re going to get this rain,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told NHL Network. “The temperatures are such that it’s going to rain. It’s not going to be any other kind of precipitation. And with the percentages that high we felt it was better for everyone associated with the game, in particular the fans, not to have them come out here at 1 [p.m.]”
So here’s the deal if you have tickets to the game: Parking lots will open at 2:30 p.m. – just in case you want to tailgate in the rain. The spectator plaza opens 30 minutes later. Heinz Field gates will open at 5:30. The pre-game entertainment starts at 7:30. The two teams will conduct morning skates at CONSOL Energy Center at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
In a statement, the NHL emphasized that the game could still experience delays as it tries to fix any ice issues exacerbated by the rain. Periods could be shortened if a delay happens with just a few minutes left and that time then tacked on after intermission.
Here’s an interesting change: If the game has to be postponed after the second period because of more bad weather then whoever is winning gets the two points. If the game is tied and needs to be canceled they will immediately move on to a shootout to determine who gets the extra point. Want more? If the weather prevents even a shootout in that situation then we’ll have the skills competition at Verizon Center – on Feb. 6 before the two teams play their next game.
Now, if we don’t make it through the second period at all tomorrow the original plan is back on. The game will be replayed in its entirety on Sunday at noon. If that doesn’t happen, either, then the Winter Classic will be played indoors at CONSOL Energy Center at a date to be determined later in the season. And it will no longer be the Winter Classic.
Ticket holders must retain their tickets to gain re-entry to Heinz Field in the event the game is played on Jan. 2. No refunds for fans who can’t make it back on Sunday. But if it isn’t played that day tickets will be refunded – minus service, delivery or processing fees, of course. Not ideal. But hockey under the lights has its own special cache.
“From what I understand, the temperatures will come down as the front leaves,” Daly said. “So we’re talking low 40s, more of a winter setting. So we’re looking forward to a fine time.”
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