While the NHL still hasn’t formally announced the Winter Classic, news has been popping up left and right about the game.  It could quite possibly be the worst kept secret in the NHL, ever.  Over at Puck Daddy, they have confirmed that the Winter Classic will indeed happen between the Rangers and the Flyers on January 2, 2012.  Also confirmed is the New Year’s Eve Alumni Classic.

I have to laugh at this, because this is one of the more humorous events to be ongoing this summer.  The NHL hasn’t formally announced anything while they work out the kinks with Phillies ownership, so it’s understandable.  But it’s funny how all these different things pop up confirming the Winter Classic.  Also funny is that the auction mentioned in PD’s link has now been updated to “COMING SOON”.

The Alumni Game might be fun to watch, as I’m sure guys like Messier, Leetch, and Graves will suit up.  I doubt Richter will though because of all those concussions.  Maybe Lindros suits up for the Rangers?  That would be kind of funny.  If he suits up for the Flyers, think he gets booed?

As for the game itself, holding it on January 2 is perfect because it really does eliminate the competition with all those NCAA football bowl games.  I never understood why the NHL went toe-to-toe with college football, they can’t win.

But if you were holding off on planning your trip to the US/Philly for the official announcement, consider this to be as official as you’re going to get until the put an end to this mockery.  The auction was being done by Ed Snider, who owns Comcast/NBC/the Flyers/the city of Philadelphia.  So go for it, book those flights.  Or don’t.  Honestly, at this rate they might “officially” announce the game in October.

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