NHLWinter Classic: Top 5 outdoor game moments

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Enjoy our coverage of the Winter Classic and for our complete package, including a conversation about the game, go to our Winter Classic page.

The upcoming match between the New York Rangers and host Philadelphia Flyers at Citizens Bank Park on Jan. 2 will mark the fifth installment of the Winter Classic franchise and the latest venture by the NHL into the great outdoors, a place that seems to have no shortage of memory-making moments.

The way things seem to go with such events, there's guaranteed to be at least one or two moments in Philadelphia that will be burned into the skulls of those in attendance or watching from home.

With that in mind, here is a look at what some (read: me) believe to be the best five moments in the history of the NHL's foray into the great outdoors.

(Since there are only four official 'Winter Classic' games so far, the selection process was open to all outdoor NHL games, which in itself is an important distinction to make when you know someone who has fallen through the ice playing shinny over a frozen septic lagoon.)

5. Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers, Caesar's Palace (1991)

This pre-season game was played outside, in Las Vegas. That presented a few problems, chiefly, keeping the ice...well...ice.

Besides being a rink technicians' personal nightmare, the game also featured an invasion of sorts as grasshoppers made their way onto - and freezing in - the ice surface.

Luc Robitaille played for the Kings in that game and had an up close and personal look at the critters, which he described to the Los Angeles Kings' official website:

"There were these big giant grasshoppers jumping on the ice," he said. "They would land on the ice and freeze right there, so by the end of the second period they were everywhere on the ice and it was kind of funny."

Having the ice littered with half-frozen grasshopper carcasses didn't stop Kris King and Rod Buskas from dancing, though.

4. Raj Binder crashes the Heritage Classic (2003)



During the MegaStars alumni photo during the Heritage Classic in Edmonton between the Oilers and Montreal Canadiens greats - one face in the crowded shot did not belong.

This Hour Has 22 Minutes reporter Raj Binder, a character portrayed by comedian Shaun Majumder, crouched into the official photo with the Habs and Oilers alumni after the game, which ruffled a few feathers.

Binder apologized for his act of photobombing on a later episode of This Hour and seems to be back in the NHL's good graces - having last covered the return of the Jets to Winnipeg.

3. Sidney Crosby hit by David Steckel in 2011

It may not be the shiniest/happiest moment of the outdoor games, but no one can argue its standing as memorable - I dare you to say that you haven't seen this clip more than 25 times since it happened.



2. Jose Theodore's nifty toque (2003)



Cold? You better believe Edmonton in November is cold.

Just ask Montreal Canadiens' netminder Jose Theodore, who was forced to stand still in -20C degree weather (well, before you take off another 10 to 15 for the wind chill) and helped his own cause by wearing a tuque, which became an enduring image of the outdoor game.

1. Sidney Crosby wins 2008 Winter Classic in a shootout
But the real top spot is reserved for the fairytale moment - a light snow falling at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, NY, the game on the line with the final shot of the game taken by the league's brightest young star - as shot by a fan in the stands:




Honourable Mention: Cam Neely vs. Boston Bruins bear

Although it's not a memorable moment per se - an honourable mention must go out to the Boston Bruins bear / Cam Neely stare down over some freshly pressed Winter Classic jerseys:



Check back next week for more on the lead up to the Winter Classic.

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