The Winter Classic the outdoor festival of hockey, will provide a Wednesday afternoon skate at the park for the Red Wings and Leafs this year. As Michigan's famed Big House, plays host to the annual New Year's Day spectacular.
Hockeytown has already been in an outdoor hockey mood, this weekend the Great Lakes Invitational took place at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, with Andy Murray's Western Michigan University taking the Michigan bragging rights on the strength of two hard fought victories on Friday and Saturday night.
Sunday it was the turn for the OHL to take to the Comerica Ice field, with the Windsor Spitfires crossing the border to take victory from the Saginaw Spirit, in the first outdoor game played by OHL teams. The Sunday doubleheader, featured a nightcap match up between the London Knights and Plymouth Whalers, with the Michigan squad reclaiming a victory for the US in a shoot out.
Monday, the AHL had the opportunity to play under the open skies, as the Leafs farm club the Marlies took on the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings AHL affiliate. With Toronto claiming the 4-3 victory in a game which went to a shoot out.
The alumni game goes Tuesday at Comerica, while the Big House gets its final touches in place for Wednesday's welcome to the new year of outdoor hockey, in what will be the largest venue yet for these outdoor gatherings.
Below, to set the scene for Wednesday's event, some of the preparation items leading up to the New Year's Day showcase:
Jan 1-- Fans cold but excited for Winter Classic at Big House
Jan 1-- Enormity of Winter Classic gives Red Wings chills
Jan 1-- Winter Classic cold presents a challenge to spectators
Jan 1-- Getting the old Wings gang back together makes for poignant moments
Jan 1-- Red Wings, Leafs almuni bask in moments frozen in time
Jan 1-- Fans not deterred by weather at Winter classic "We will weather it"
Jan 1-- Winter Classic finally here Detroit Red Wings' smiles, snow brighten day
Jan 1-- Maple Leafs, Red Wings set for Winter classic
Jan 1-- Bernier wins battle for Leafs' No 1 goalie role
Jan 1-- Weather conditions the wild card at NHL Winter classic
Jan 1-- Snowy road threatening Winter classic World Record Attempt
Jan 1-- Bernier to start in goal for Leafs in Winter Classic
Dec 31-- Winter Classic reignites eight-decade rivalry between Wings-Leafs
Dec 31-- Red Wings legends revved up for alumni showdown
Dec 31-- NHL warns Winter Classic fans about possible sale of unauthorized merchandise
Dec 31-- Red Wings practice at Big House ahead of Winter Classic
Dec 31-- Winter Classic forecast: 18 degrees expected for game between Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs
Dec 31-- NBC hockey broadcaster Mike Emrick excited to call Winter Classic at Big House
Dec 31-- Ex-Red Wings comment on today's throwback stars
Dec 31-- Home teams haven't fared well in Winter Classic history
Dec 31-- Supersized event good for game and Motown
Dec 31-- Winter Classic seeks to set attendance record
Dec 31-- Snowy conditions could affect annual outdoor game on ice and in stands
Dec 31-- Red Wings Luke Glendening is especially excited about his fifth outdoor game at Winter Classic
Dec 31-- Steve Yzerman, skating for the first time since retiring, enjoys brief stint in Alumni Showdown
Dec 31-- Red Wings soak up the atmosphere at the Big House, but focus on winning Winter classic...
Dec 31-- Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings hope wind helps more than it hurts
Dec 31-- Three things to know about the Detroit Red Wings
Dec 31-- Babcock warns about partying before Winter Classic
Dec 30-- Red Wings say Winter Classic cold won't bother them
Dec 30-- AHL Winter Festival Game: Young defensemen do their part for Grand Rapids Griffins
Dec 30-- Leafs a Classic fit
Dec 30-- Winter Classic brings back outdoor hockey memories for Leafs
Dec 30-- Toronto Marlies edge Grand Rapids Griffins at Comerica Park
Dec 30-- Ex-Leafs Captain Wendel Clark pumped for alumni game vs. Red Wings
Dec 30-- Winter Classic conditions looking good for Leafs, Wings
Dec 30-- Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle not changing his approach heading into Winter Classic
Dec 30-- Maple Leafs alumni won't let age get in way against Red Wings
Dec 30-- Leafs, Red Wings battling it out at Winter Classic and in standings
Dec 30-- Maple Leafs prepare for snow at Winter Classic
Dec 30-- Winter Classic a homecoming for Maple Leafs' Jerry D'Amigo
Dec 30-- Annual outdoor game is magic, unpredictability and all
Dec 30-- Toronto Maple Leafs getting ready for cold weather at Winter Classic
Dec 30-- NHL Winter Classic provides lift to downtown Detroit
Dec 30-- Glendening settles for AHL outdoor game, not Winter Classic
Dec 30-- Berenson a proud host for classic
Dec 30-- Eye black, soup, tea among Leaf outdoor options
Dec 30-- Marlies win shootout at Comerica Park
Dec 30-- Marlies top Griffins in AHL outdoor game
Dec 30-- Winter Classic atmosphere is special
Dec 30-- McCarty excited about playing in Alumni Showdown
Dec 30-- Outdoor game brings fond memories for Berenson
Dec 30-- 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic by the numbers
Dec 30-- Paul Maurice eager to get back behind the bench
Dec 30-- Media game makes cherished memories for some
Dec 30-- NBC Sports crew prepared to call another Classic
Dec 30-- Former coach Maurice recalls fun of outdoor practice
Dec 30-- Location, Location, Location: Classic finds latest home
Dec 30-- Early reports positive on Winter Classic rink
Dec 29-- Dion Phaneuf contract hot HBO 24/7 topic
Dec 29-- Red Wings GM Ken Holland drags out the pads -- reluctantly-- for alumni game
Dec 29-- Plymouth Whalers forward Cullen Mercer follows in his sister's footsteps with outdoor game
Dec 29-- Cloud cover best for Winter Classic
Dec 29-- Toronto Maple Leafs' David Clarkson gets into spat over water bottle in latest episode of 24/7
Dec 29-- Windsor tops Saginaw in first OHL outdoor game
Dec 29-- Winterizing Michigan Stadium a challenge for Classic
Dec 29-- Winter Classic is a big undertaking at Big House
Dec 29-- Weather issues at a minimum for Winter Classic
Dec 29-- New generation discovering joys of hockey outdoors
Dec 29-- Andy Murray savours WMU's GLI championship
Dec 29-- Western Michigan wins Great Lakes final
Dec 28-- Maple Leaf fans converge on Detroit to root for home team in Winter Classic
Dec 28-- Mike Ilitch deserves credit for bringing Winter Festival's energy to downtown Detroit
Dec 28-- Red Wings' excitement builds for the Winter Classic
Dec 28-- Randy Calryle's goal to keep players' focus on Red Wings game, not be distracted by Winter Classic hype
Dec 28-- Leafs players recall childhood days on outdoor rinks
Dec 28-- Viewers get inside look outdoors in Part 3 of '24/7'
Dec 28-- Winter Classic Forecast: Overcast and chilly
Dec 28-- Winter Classic Fan Reminders
Dec 28-- Michigan State wins Great Lakes consolation game
Dec 28-- Ice crew overcomes weather to get lines, logos down
Dec 28-- Wings' Miller talks outdoors, hockey family
Dec 28-- Teen refugees from Africa play a role in Winter Classic
Dec 28-- Rink-Building Crew works long night into morning
Dec 28-- Michigan Tech, Western Michigan make GLI final
Dec 27-- Alumni Showdown a chance to rekindle old fires
Dec 27-- Outdoor games bring players from North America and Europe back to childhood
Dec 27-- Winter Classic just another date on Randy Carlyle's schedule
Dec 27-- Fans celebrate hockey, winter at Detroit Fest
Dec 27-- Winter Fest brings fans, fun and dollars to Detroit
Dec 27-- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will not attend Winter Classic
Dec 27-- What makes the Big House so unique, and so special?
Dec 27-- Parking is among the challenges at Winter Classic
Dec 27-- Draper made sure Red Wings got bang for their buck
Dec 27-- Unexpected sun causes brief delay in painting ice
Dec 26-- Three Detroit Wings families eager to see sons compete outdoors - again
Dec 26-- Andy Murray talks outdoor hockey at Comerica Park
Dec 26-- Winter Classic rink-building crew gets Christmas break
Dec 26-- Winter Classic rink close to getting logos, lines
Dec 26-- Winter Classic has NHL on lookout for counterfeit merchandise
Dec 26-- E. J. Hradek talks Winter classic goalies, coaches' clothing
Dec 26-- Work resumes on Michigan Stadium ice Rink
Dec 24-- Downtown hockey Fan Zone brings together big names, games, food, music and more
Dec 23-- Toronto Maple Leafs could use more wins, fewer cameras
Dec 23-- Past outdoor game a thriller for Maple Leafs' Gardiner
Dec 23-- Zac Brown Band leads Winter Classic Entertainment
Dec 23-- Maple Leafs' D'Amigo guaranteed outdoor game
Dec 22-- '24/7' airs dramatic second episode just after Alfredsson buries Leafs
Dec 22-- Toronto Maple Leafs show a little tension as HBO's 24/7 catches team in midst of struggles
Dec 22-- Detroit Red Wings take Winter Classic preview in shootout over Toronto Maple Leafs
Dec 22-- Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings offer Winter Classic preview with game in Toronto
Dec 22-- Hagelin, Merrill share Big House memories
Dec 22-- Jimmy Howard on Spectator Plaza
Dec 21-- Fans should plan ahead to park for NHL Winter Classic
Dec 21-- Coaches take center stage in Part 2 of '24/7'
Dec 21-- Detroit's DeKeyser back for Classic preview
Dec 20-- Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle says life not easy under glare of HBO's '24/7'
Dec 20-- Maple Leafs adjust to life in front of the cameras
Dec 20-- NHL Winter Classic rink time lapse
Dec 19-- Detroit Red Wings try to lighten mood in midst of skid
Dec 19-- Red Wings, Maple Leafs in Winter Classic preview
Dec 19-- Winter Classic Rink Build Update with Dan Craig
Dec 19-- Sustainability upgrades come to Detroit's Clark Park
Dec 19-- Red Wings use outdoor practice to lift spirits
Dec 16-- League, Red Wings Foundation lead park renovation
Dec 14-- Part 1 of HBO '24/7' focuses on teams' adversity
Dec 12-- Winter Classic Truck Arrives in Ann Arbor
Dec 12-- Wings' Draper talks Alumni Showdown
Dec 11-- Canadians can expect censored Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings in HBO's 24/7 leading up to 2014 Winter Classic
Dec 10-- Red Wings legend Yzerman on 2013 Alumni Showdown
Dec 10-- Yzerman to join Red Wings for Alumni Showdown
Dec 10-- HBO's '24/7 Red Wings/Maple Leafs' debuts Dec. 14
Dec 10-- NHL to host free fan festival to Celebrate 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic
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