Yesterday the NHL’s commissioner Gary Bettman announced that it will indeed be the Philadelphia Flyers playing the Boston Bruins in Fenway Park on January 1st, 2010. Most news stations around the Philadelphia area reported on this as much as a week ago but now its certain. Many rumors have stated that NBC went to the NHL board and refused their first proposition for the classic. It’s been said that it was originally to be the Washington Capitals challenging the Bruins at Fenway but NBC said no way.
The 4 game series the Flyers and Bruins had in the 2008-2009 campaign saw each team take two victories. The two the Flyers won were both away in Boston. Could this be a good sign for the Flyers coming into this incredible game at Fenway? Only time can tell. Two contests will be played between the two teams prior to January first, one on October 22nd in Philly, and one December 14th in Boston. The Bruins were a better finishing team than Philadelphia by about 50 goals last year. Boston had the better goaltending tandem also but now with Manny Fernandez out of the picture for Boston and a much more skilled Ray Emery in net for Philadelphia, those statistics could even out a little more. Boston had few additions this past offseason, adding Dany Sabourin to back up Tim Thomas and a few smaller additions. Philadelphia has been regaurded by many as the most improved team this year through free agency and trades. Along with the early signing of Ray Emery, the acquisiton of Chris Pronger instantly made the defense elite.
With the two great teams playing this year in Fenway, there will no doubt be many reason to watch on January 1st. Enjoy the day and LETS GO FLYERS!
