2022 Winter Classic brings magic and hope back to the NHL
May this be a good omen for 2022.
Amid COVID outbreaks, attendance restrictions and game postponements, the NHL needed a win. And the Winter Classic delivered just that.
The St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild squared off at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis, for a cold and electric outdoor game that was months in the making.
It was the perfect way to start the year.
Absolute 🔥 this drone tour is❕
Watch the 2022 NHL #WinterClassic TODAY at 7p ET on @NHL_On_TNT and @Sportsnet!
NHL x @Discover pic.twitter.com/rtcRANlPop— NHL (@NHL) January 1, 2022
The immediate storyline, naturally, was the cold.
It's so cold at the #WinterClassic at Target Field that:
❄️ Jon Merrill's mustache has icicles coming off it
❄️ Jordan Binnington has chicken broth in his water bottle
❄️ The ice is being heated(!)— NHL (@NHL) January 2, 2022
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 2, 2022
Fans braced themselves for the frigid Minnesota temperatures. Fans braced themselves and bundled up as best they could. Some even wondered if broadcasting cameras would even work. Many sought refuge in the warmth of nearby establishments ahead of puck drop.
Not warm… but SO worth it! #WinterClassic #stlblues pic.twitter.com/YBBb61Z8bL
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 1, 2022
A whole #WinterClassic mood. 🥽 pic.twitter.com/eyKH9KnRmw
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 1, 2022
I am so excited to freeze my ass off!@NHL #WinterClassic @mnwild #mnwild @StLouisBlues #stlblues pic.twitter.com/OCJIb9Rcap
— Arik Cannon (@arikcannon) January 1, 2022
What cold ? Headed to #WinterClassic #TargetField #Minnesota 💚 pic.twitter.com/k8ugbelOqc
— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) January 1, 2022
The spot! 🔥 #WinterClassic #mnwild pic.twitter.com/yVt164UTqw
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) January 1, 2022
the backup goalies on the bench at the winter classic pic.twitter.com/Xjpje4x24o
— Ava🇨🇦 (@avatarrant) January 1, 2022
There was indeed some concern for the players, as the game was officially named the coldest outdoor contest in history. The temperature at puck drop was -21C, or -6F.
But the athletes didn't seem to care at all.
This weather's a beach. #stlblues #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/FDTJ56iesP
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 1, 2022
Below freezing, who?#WinterClassic | @StLouisBlues pic.twitter.com/qW91dfmeUF
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) January 1, 2022
Once one experienced the atmosphere at Target Field, it became easier to move past the punishing cold.
Testing the ice! #WinterClassic @NHL @MLB pic.twitter.com/2acGo1hiW4
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) December 31, 2021
It’s on! 🏒 #mnwild #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/fs2msm0uh4
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) January 1, 2022
Fans were pumped, broadcasting cameras were miraculously working, and the stage was set. But no one — I mean, no one — was more pumped than the Wild and Blues players.
Of all the sights to see, watching those athletes take the ice may have been the coolest one.
just a little locker room soccer ⚽️#mnwild | #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/d6T82DIhuc
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 1, 2022
Love to see the toque over the goalie mask. #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/8LYDwzFI0P
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 2, 2022
🥶🥶🥶 #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/MxLHY2W0o4
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 2, 2022
this is easily the best-looking outdoor game ever pic.twitter.com/jD3AglBmwh
— thomas williams (@nosalaryretaind) January 1, 2022
Then, the puck dropped. And it was magical.
.@mnwild? Ready.@StLouisBlues? Ready.
Ice? Frozen.
Fans? On their feet.
Puck? DROPPED.
The 2022 #WinterClassic is underway on the #NHLonTNT 📺 pic.twitter.com/hKBxX1O50Z— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) January 2, 2022
The first goal in the 2022 NHL #WinterClassic belongs to David Perron. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/eByKrksWP9
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 2, 2022
The game itself was just as eventful. The Blues opened the score in the first and, after allowing the Wild to pull even, exploded for five goals in the second period.
Minnesota threatened a comeback with a two-goal third period, but eventually fell short. The final score read 6-4 St. Louis.
It's -8 degrees with the Blues are ON FIRE! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/3EigPlqKWv
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 2, 2022
Nothing short of legendary.
More from Yahoo Sports