KFDM COOP Posted January 1, 2008 Report Posted January 1, 2008 Outdoor Hockey Pretty cool. Snowing hard at Buffalo. Pens, Sabres battle outside in Winter Classic (Sports Network) - The NHL will brave the elements this afternoon, as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres meet for an outdoor battle at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The forecast in Buffalo is calling for snow and the temperature is expected to be in the mid to low 30s. Wind gusts could also reach 40 miles per hour and that will help to make the air even colder. Still, the weather isn't expected to be enough to keep the NHL from breaking an attendance record, as over 73,000 fans are expected to pack Ralph Wilson Stadium to watch hockey on a field that usually serves as home to the NFL's Buffalo Bills. What is being dubbed as "The Winter Classic" is the first-ever NHL regular season game played outdoors in the United States. It's also the first time the league is staging an outdoor contest since Montreal played in Edmonton on November 22, 2003. The Penguins have two players on their current roster (Ty Conklin and Georges Laraque) who were members of the Edmonton Oilers when they hosted the Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium over four years ago. Meanwhile, Ryan Miller of the Sabres and Pittsburgh's Adam Hall were teammates for Michigan State when the school battled Michigan in an outdoor game at Spartan Stadium. That contest holds the record for the largest attendance ever for a hockey game as the game was witnessed by 74,544 fans. Today's test also marks the end of a home-and-home series between the Pens and Sabres, as Pittsburgh defeated visiting Buffalo this past Saturday at Mellon Arena. Conklin stopped all 26 shots fired his way to record the third shutout of his career, as the Penguins blanked Buffalo, 2-0, in the first meeting between the clubs this season. It was Conklin's first shutout since he blanked Chicago on January 3, 2006, while a member of the Oilers. Colby Armstrong collected a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who have won three straight and four of five overall. Sidney Crosby added two assists. The victory proved costly for the Penguins, who lost forward Gary Roberts to a broken left leg in the second period. The injury occurred after Roberts got tangled up with Buffalo's Tim Connolly in the left circle and both landed awkwardly. The Penguins are uncertain how long Roberts will be out. Miller allowed one goal on 24 shots for Buffalo, which has followed up a six- game winning streak with three straight losses. Saturday's win over the Sabres marked the first meeting between Buffalo and the Pens this season. Pittsburgh has won three of the last four matchups in the series.
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