View source for 2008 NHL Winter Classic

{{Short description|Outdoor National Hockey League game in Orchard Park, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox ice hockey game
| outdoor = yes
| game_name = 2008 NHL Winter Classic
| image = Winter Classic logo.jpg
| visitor = '''[[2007–08 Pittsburgh Penguins season|Pittsburgh Penguins]]'''
| home = [[2007–08 Buffalo Sabres season|Buffalo Sabres]]
| visitor_total = 2
| home_total = 1
| visitor_per1 = 1
| visitor_per2 = 0
| visitor_per3 = 0
| visitor_OT = 0
| visitor_SO = 1 <small>(2/3)</small>
| home_per1 = 0
| home_per2 = 1
| home_per3 = 0
| home_OT = 0
| home_SO = 0 <small>(1/3)</small>
| date = January 1, 2008
| arena = [[Ralph Wilson Stadium]]
| city = [[Orchard Park (town), New York|Orchard Park, New York]]
| attendance = 71,217
| previous = None
| next = [[2009 NHL Winter Classic|2009]]
}}
{{Location map
|USA
|relief     = 1
|label      = <small>Ralph Wilson Stadium</small>
|lat        = 42.774
|long       = -78.787
|caption    = Location in the United States
|marksize   = 5
|float      = 
|background = 
|width      = 240
}}
{{Location map
|USA New York
|relief     = 1
|label      = <small>Ralph Wilson Stadium</small>
|lat        = 42.774
|long       = -78.787
|caption    = Location in [[New York (state)|New York]]
|marksize   = 5
|float      = 
|background = 
|width      = 220
}}
{{Wikinews|NHL game held outdoors in stadium; Pittsburgh defeats Buffalo in shootout}}
The '''2008 NHL Winter Classic''' (known via corporate sponsorship as the '''AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic''') was an [[NHL outdoor games|outdoor]] [[ice hockey]] game played in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) on January 1, 2008, at [[Ralph Wilson Stadium]] near [[Buffalo, New York]]. It was the league's inaugural [[NHL Winter Classic|Winter Classic]] game, and was contested between the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] and [[Buffalo Sabres]]; the Penguins won, 2–1, in a [[shootout (ice hockey)|shootout]] on a goal by captain [[Sidney Crosby]]. The event was the NHL's second outdoor regular season game (following the [[2003 Heritage Classic]] in [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]], Canada), and the first outdoor regular season professional ice hockey game to be played in the United States. Due to the snowy conditions, the game was at the time colloquially referred to as the "Ice Bowl" by residents of the area and Sabres' fans. The event was sponsored by [[AMP Energy]], and was televised in the United States on [[NHL on NBC|NBC]] and in Canada on [[Hockey Night in Canada|CBC]] and [[Le Réseau des sports|RDS]].

The game, which was played at a temporary ice rink built on the football field, set an NHL attendance record of 71,217.<ref name="ESPN">{{cite web |last1=Burnside |first1=Scott |title=Winter Classic: We're live from Buffalo |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3176222 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104143443/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3176222 |archive-date=January 4, 2008|date=January 1, 2008}}</ref> The Sabres held a Winter Classic "house party" at [[HSBC Arena (Buffalo)|HSBC Arena]] (now KeyBank Center) during the game where another 11,000 fans saw the game shown live on the arena's video scoreboard with synched-up audio from the team's radio coverage. The [[Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team]] played a pre-game at the HSBC Arena as part of the house party festivities. Buffalo Sabres anthem singer Doug Allen sang [[O Canada|the Canadian national anthem]], as is customary at Sabres home games. Irish tenor [[Ronan Tynan]] performed "[[God Bless America]]" before the game at the stadium.

The success of the event has led to subsequent outdoor hockey games being scheduled and helped establish the Winter Classic as an annual NHL tradition.

== Preparations ==
Construction of the outdoor rink began on December 24, the day after the [[Buffalo Bills]] played their last home game of the [[2007 NFL season]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Panaccio |first1=Tim |title=Outdoor hockey to make U.S. debut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ottawa-citizen-outdoor-hockey-to-mak/173503437/ |access-date=May 30, 2024 |publisher=The Ottawa Citizen |date=December 31, 2007|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> It was built between the 16-yard lines of the football field,<ref name="recap">{{cite news| url=http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/01/01/1197591-crosby-lifts-penguins-in-winter-classic | title=Crosby lifts Penguins in Winter Classic | agency=[[Associated Press]] | last=Podell | first=Ira | date=2008-01-01 | access-date=2008-02-16| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080210133319/http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/01/01/1197591-crosby-lifts-penguins-in-winter-classic| archive-date= 10 February 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> under the supervision of NHL facilities operations manager Dan Craig.<ref name="Rosen">{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Dan |title=Craig retires as NHL's top outdoor ice rink expert, leaves lasting legacy |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/dan-craig-retires-as-nhl-s-top-outdoor-ice-rink-expert-leaves-lasting--327467270 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=May 30, 2025 |date=November 2, 2021}}</ref> Crew members first removed the goal posts and layed down large tarps over the field to protect it from the weather.<ref>{{cite news |title=Winter Classic rink taking shape |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-winter-classic-rink-tak/173503708/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |publisher=The Plain Dealer |date=December 25, 2007|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Initially, six inches (150&nbsp;mm)  of the nine-inch (230&nbsp;mm) crown of the football field had to be leveled using styrofoam insulation. On top of the newly created flat surface, three inches (75&nbsp;mm) of plywood with plastic covering were laid as a base for the necessary piping. At the same time the boards were being put in place, an inch of sand was spread amongst the piping and was then wet by a combination of hoses and timely rain so it could freeze into a rink overnight and be painted four days before the game. Another ¾ of an inch of ice was added to complete the playing surface.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oklobzija |first1=Kevin |title=NHL's cool feat installs a rink in NFL territory |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-marion-star-nhls-cool-feat-installs/173503802/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |publisher=The Marion Star |date=January 1, 2008|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Due to the inclement weather and lack of a rink system, Craig later stated that the fact that they were able to succeed was remarkable.<ref name="Rosen"/> The NHL had created a backup plan in case the weather became unmanageable.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sabres, Penguins set for outdoor showdown Jan. 1 in Buffalo |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3024696 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 30, 2025 |date=September 17, 2007}}</ref> 

After this experience, Commissioner [[Gary Bettman]] stated that the League would like more time to prepare the site for the next outdoor game. He also wanted to ensure that not too many outdoor games are held so the event can remain special.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Erskine |first1=Scott |title=Bettman holds All-Star 'State of NHL' address |url=https://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/50400-Bettman-holds-All-Star-State-of-NHL-address |website=areyouwatchingthis.com |access-date=May 30, 2025 |date=January 26, 2008}}</ref> This sentiment was further echoed by hockey pundits, such as [[Scott Burnside]].<ref name="Burnside">{{cite web |last1=Burnside |first1=Scott |title=The outdoors are great, but this should not become a regular NHL fixture |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3176569 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 30, 2025 |date=January 1, 2008}}</ref>

== Attendance ==
[[File:NHL_Winter_Classic_2008.jpg|left|240px|thumb|View from inside the stadium during the opening ceremony]]
The game was attended by 71,217 people, setting an NHL attendance record.<ref name="ESPN"/> The former NHL record of 57,167 was set at the [[2003 Heritage Classic]] between the [[Montreal Canadiens]] and [[Edmonton Oilers]] in [[Edmonton, Alberta]], on November 22, 2003.<ref name="Higgins">{{cite news |last1=Higgins |first1=Matt |title=Winter Wonderland for Crosby and N.H.L. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/sports/hockey/02hockey.html |access-date=May 30, 2025 |publisher=The New York Times |date=January 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126030126/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/sports/hockey/02hockey.html |archive-date=November 26, 2022}}</ref> [[Georges Laraque]] and [[Ty Conklin]] are the only two players who have played in both the Heritage Classic and Winter Classic games. They both played for the Oilers and Penguins, respectively, for each game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Laraque recounts the Heritage Classic |url=http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=346490|website=nhl.com|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=May 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107061113/http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=346490 |archive-date=January 7, 2008 |date=December 13, 2007}}</ref> While it was the record for a professional game, it fell short of the then all-time number of 74,554, which was set in "[[Cold War (ice hockey)|The Cold War]]" between the [[University of Michigan]] and [[Michigan State University]] on October 6, 2001. Sabres [[goaltender]] [[Ryan Miller (ice hockey)|Ryan Miller]] and Penguins forward [[Adam Hall]] both played for Michigan State in that game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mike Cammalleri, Ryan Miller Fondly Recall Their First Cold War Hockey Game |url=https://nesn.com/2009/12/mike-cammalleri-ryan-miller-fondly-recall-their-first-cold-war-hockey-game/ |publisher=NESN |access-date=May 30, 2025 |date=December 12, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Due to wind, Winter Classic will have different format than other games |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/due-to-wind-winter-classic-will-have-different-format-than-other-games |publisher=The Hockey News |access-date=May 30, 2025 |date=December 31, 2007}}</ref>

Approximately 41,000 tickets to the game were made available to the general public, selling out within 30 minutes of their release on September 18, 2007.<ref name="soldout">{{cite web |title=Winter Classic Tickets Soldout |url=http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=337638|website=nhl.com |publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=May 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101210916/http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=337638 |archive-date=January 1, 2008 |date=September 18, 2007}}</ref> In the face of controversy about the quickness of ticket sales, an official spokesperson for the Sabres called it "a testament to how popular the Sabres are and how many people want to be part of the event." However, many Penguins fans were left out because they did not have the opportunity to purchase tickets after they became available to the city hosting the event, and they were frustrated by the lack of exclusivity for Penguins season-ticket holders.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rossi |first1=Rob |title=Fans outraged over Winter Classic ticket shortage |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_528202.html |access-date=May 30, 2025 |publisher=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=September 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009122346/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_528202.html |archive-date=October 9, 2007}}</ref> Game show host [[Pat Sajak]] attended the Winter Classic and spoke positively of his experience.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bonanno |first1=Rocky |title=Super fan Sajak heading to Boston for Classic|website=nhl.com|publisher=National Hockey League|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=511365 |access-date=May 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117061726/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=511365 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |date=December 28, 2009}}</ref>

== Television and radio coverage ==
The game was televised in the United States on [[NHL on NBC|NBC]] and in Canada on [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]'s [[Hockey Night in Canada]] and [[Le Réseau des sports]]. The game garnered a 2.2 rating and drew 3.75 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=John |title=Winter Classic Hits Lows in Ratings, Viewership |url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2016/01/winter-classic-ratings-down-nhl-nbc-least-watched-canadiens-bruins/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |date=January 3, 2016}}</ref> Nearly 7,000 seats at Ralph Wilson Stadium were obstructed due to television cameras for NBC's broadcast.<ref name="soldout"/> NBC announcers [[Mike Emrick]] and [[Eddie Olczyk]] stood on a constructed perch by the penalty boxes,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leahy |first1=Sarah |title=Mike Emrick on calling the first Winter Classic, his favorite outdoor game venues (PHT Q&A) |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/mike-emrick-on-calling-the-first-winter-classic-his-favorite-outdoor-venues-pht-qa |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=May 31, 2025 |date=December 29, 2017}}</ref>. [[Jim Hughson]] and [[Craig Simpson]] also announced the game from behind the penalty boxes, with [[Greg Millen]] between the benches.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Houstan |first1=William |title=Winter Classic on thin ice |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/winter-classic-on-thin-ice/article20407244/ |access-date=May 31, 2025 |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=December 26, 2007}}</ref>

== Pregame ==
Prior to the start of the event, fans began [[Tailgate party|tailgating]] in the parking lot as is customary at football games.<ref name="ESPN"/><ref name="Wawrow">{{cite news |last1=Wawrow |first1=John |title=Fans revel in NHL-style pond hockey |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbian-fans-revel-in-nhl-style-po/173504942/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |publisher=The Columbian |date=January 2, 2008|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Former [[Boston Bruins]] player [[Kraig Nienhuis]] attended the game and played guitar for fans in an unofficial capacity.<ref name="ESPN"/> There was also an official pregame band, and a bagpipe player led players out onto the ice.<ref name="Wawrow"/> 

Doug Allen sang the Canadian national anthem (''[[O Canada]]'') and Irish tenor [[Ronan Tynan]] performed ''"[[God Bless America]]"'' before the game.<ref name="ESPN" /> A military flyover was conducted by four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bedgood |first1=Jim |title=NHL Outdoor Hockey Recognizes Service Members |url=https://dmna.ny.gov/news/?id=1207862049 |publisher=New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs |access-date=May 30, 2025 |date=January 1, 2008}}</ref> Singer-songwriter [[Sam Roberts]] performed songs from his band's album [[Chemical City]] during the second intermission.<ref name="THN">{{cite web |title=Due to wind, Winter Classic will have different format than other games |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/due-to-wind-winter-classic-will-have-different-format-than-other-games |publisher=The Hockey News |access-date=May 31, 2025 |date=December 31, 2007}}</ref>

== Rule changes ==
Due to the expected inclement weather, the NHL announced that several rule changes were in effect for this game to nullify advantages to either team due to the weather conditions.<ref name="THN"/> The teams switched ends halfway through the third period, and play was interrupted exactly at the 10:00 minute mark to allow the ice to be resurfaced.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Molinari |first1=Dave |title=Winter Classic set up unusual |url=https://old.post-gazette.com/pg/07365/845624-61.stm |access-date=May 31, 2025 |publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=December 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930052039/https://old.post-gazette.com/pg/07365/845624-61.stm |archive-date=September 30, 2022}}</ref> In the shootout, each goaltender was permitted to choose which goal to defend, and they each chose the same goal, towards the west side of the stadium.<ref name="recap"/> There were multiple unexpected delays during the game to scrape snow and to repair holes in the ice.<ref name="Burnside"/>

If the game had been stopped early, it would have only counted as "official" after two full periods. In that case, the team in the lead would be declared the winner and earn two points. If the score was tied when the game was stopped, both teams would get one point, and a shootout would take place right away. If weather conditions made an immediate shootout impossible, it would have been rescheduled for February 17. While both teams were aware of these format changes, the NHL didn’t share them publicly until shortly before the game.<ref name="Starkey">{{cite news |last1=Starkey |first1=Joe |title=Pens' Conklin conquers Sabres again |url=http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_545458.html |access-date=May 31, 2025 |publisher=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=January 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107185310/http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_545458.html |archive-date=January 7, 2008}}</ref>

== Game summary ==
The teams wore [[Throwback uniform|vintage jerseys]] for the event, with the Penguins wearing powder blue jerseys for the first time since [[1972–73 NHL season|1973]]. The Sabres wore their old white jerseys, which they wore from [[1978–79 NHL season|1978]] to [[1995–96 NHL season|1996]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sabres and Penguins to sport retro look outdoors |url=http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=342768 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=May 31, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107061108/http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=342768 |archive-date=January 7, 2008 |date=November 9, 2007}}</ref> In addition to the retro jerseys, the goaltenders also wore speciality masks designed specifically for the Winter Classic. Sabres goaltender [[Ryan Miller (ice hockey)|Ryan Miller]] added a retro Sabres logo to his mask<ref name="mask">{{cite web |title=BTB Blog: Miller sports new mask for Classic |url=http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=347678 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=May 31, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229131805/http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=347678 |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |date=December 26, 2007}}</ref> while [[Ty Conklin]]'s featured snowflakes and a Winter Classic logo.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2008 NHL Winter Classic |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2010/12/30/30the-2008-nhl-winter-classic |publisher=Sports Illustrated |access-date=May 31, 2025 |date=December 30, 2010}}</ref> Miller also alternated between three toques, which would later be auctioned off for his charity, the " Steadfast Foundation."<ref name="mask"/> Penguins backup [[Dany Sabourin]] wore a set of vintage-styled pads but did not play.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=158714&t=0 | title=Pens G Conklin gets starting nod, making him 2-for-2 in NHL outdoor games | agency=[[Associated Press]] | date=2007-12-31 | access-date=2008-01-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080108123827/http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=158714&t=0| archive-date= 8 January 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Weather for the game was appropriate to the winter setting it was intended to evoke, with game-time temperatures around the freezing mark and snow falling for much of the time, especially during the third period. The weather conditions made play somewhat more difficult for players but were well received by fans.<ref>{{cite news | author=Dietsch, Richard | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/richard_deitsch/01/01/winter.classic/ | title=The great outdoors | work=[[Sports Illustrated]] | date=2008-01-02 | access-date=2008-01-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080105135553/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/richard_deitsch/01/01/winter.classic/| archive-date= 5 January 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

The Penguins registered 25 [[shot on goal (ice hockey)|shots on goal]], and the Sabres had 37, dominating the second and overtime periods, leading those 14–2 and 7–0, respectively. Each goalie allowed one goal in playing time not including the shootout, giving Conklin 36 saves for the Penguins, and Miller 24 for the Sabres.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-pit/2008/01/01/2007020584|title=Buffalo Sabres - Pittsburgh Penguins - Jan 1, 2008|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L. P.|date=June 1, 2008|website=NHL.com|accessdate=June 9, 2025}}</ref>

{|style="width:100%;text-align: center;" class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan=6 | Scoring summary
|-
! style="width:12%;"| Period
! style="width:7%;"| Team
! style="width:28%;"| Goal
! style="width:35%;"| Assist(s)
! style="width:7%;"| Time
! style="width:11%;"| Score
|-
|| '''1st'''
| PIT
| [[Colby Armstrong]] (6)
| [[Sidney Crosby]] (37)
| 00:21
| 1–0 PIT
|-
|| '''2nd'''
| BUF
| [[Brian Campbell]] (4)
| [[Tim Connolly]] (23), [[Daniel Paille]] (11)
| 01:25
| 1–1
|-
|| '''3rd'''
| colspan="5" | ''None''
|-
|| '''Overtime'''
| colspan="5" | ''None''
|-
| rowspan="7" style="background:#DCDCDC"| '''Shootout'''
| style="background:#DCDCDC" | '''Team'''
| style="background:#DCDCDC" | '''Shooter'''
| style="background:#DCDCDC" | '''Goaltender'''
| style="background:#DCDCDC" | '''Result'''
| style="background:#DCDCDC" | '''SO Score'''
|-
| BUF
| [[Aleš Kotalík|Ales Kotalik]]
| [[Ty Conklin]]
| goal
| 1–0 BUF
|-
| PIT
| [[Erik Christensen]]
| [[Ryan Miller (ice hockey)|Ryan Miller]]
| miss
| 1–0 BUF
|-
| BUF
| Tim Connolly
| Ty Conklin
| save
| 1–0 BUF
|-
| PIT
| [[Kris Letang]]
| Ryan Miller
| goal
| 1–1
|-
| BUF
| [[Maxim Afinogenov]]
| Ty Conklin
| save
| 1–1
|-
| PIT
| Sidney Crosby
| Ryan Miller
| goal
| 2–1 PIT
|}
:''Number in parentheses represents the player's total in goals or assists to that point of the season''
{| style="width:100%;text-align: center;" class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan=6 | Penalty summary
|-
! style="width:12%;"| Period
! style="width:7%;"| Team
! style="width:28%;"| Player
! style="width:35%;"| Penalty
! style="width:7%;"| Time
! style="width:11%;"| PIM
|-
| rowspan="4" | '''1st'''
| BUF
| [[Tim Connolly]]
| [[Hooking (ice hockey)|Hooking]]
| 04:22
| 2:00
|-
| BUF
| [[Maxim Afinogenov]]
| Hooking
| 07:16
| 2:00
|-
| BUF
| [[Thomas Vanek]]
| Holding
| 12:17
| 2:00
|-
| PIT
| [[Colby Armstrong]]
| Goaltender interference
| 13:02
| 2:00
|-
|| '''2nd'''
| colspan="5" | ''None''
|-
|| '''3rd'''
| PIT
| Colby Armstrong
| Hooking
| 20:00
| 2:00
|-
||'''Overtime'''
| colspan="5" align=center | ''None''
|}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:20em; text-align:right;"
|-
! colspan=6 | Shots by period
|-
! style="width:8em; text-align:left;" | Team
! style="width:3em;"         | 1
! style="width:3em;"         | 2
! style="width:3em;"         | 3
! style="width:3em;"         | OT
! style="width:3em;"         | Total
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh || 11 || 2 || 12 || 0 || 25
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Buffalo || 9 || 14 || 7 || 7 || 37
|}
{{col-break|gap=1em}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;text-align: center;" 
! colspan=2 | Power play opportunities
|-
! style="width:60%;"| Team
! style="width:40%;"| Goals/Opportunities
|-
| Pittsburgh || 0/3
|-
| Buffalo || 0/2
|}
{{col-end}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;text-align: center;" 
! colspan=4 | Three star selections
|-
!style="width:15%;"|
!style="width:15%;"|Team
!style="width:35%;"|Player
!style="width:35%;"|Statistics
|-
| 1st || PIT || [[Sidney Crosby]] || Game Winning Shootout Goal, 1 Assist
|-
| 2nd || PIT || [[Ty Conklin]] || 36 Saves (.973)
|-
| 3rd || BUF || [[Ryan Miller]] || 24 Saves (.960)
|}

== Team rosters ==

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| width="65%" class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=4 | Pittsburgh Penguins
|-
! #
!
! Player<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20072008/TV020584.HTM | title=Time On Ice Report Away Team | publisher=[[National Hockey League]] | work=nhl.com | date=2008-01-01 | access-date=2008-01-03 | archive-date=June 4, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604025759/http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20072008/TV020584.HTM | url-status=live }}</ref>
! Position
|-
| '''4'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Rob Scuderi]]
| D
|-
| '''5'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Darryl Sydor]] (A)
| D
|-
| '''11'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Jordan Staal]]
| C
|-
| '''12'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Ryan Malone]]
| LW
|-
| '''16'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Erik Christensen]]
| C
|-
| '''17'''
| {{flagicon|CZE}}
| align=left | [[Petr Sýkora|Petr Sykora]]
| RW
|-
| '''18'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Adam Hall]]
| LW
|-
| '''19'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Ryan Whitney (ice hockey)|Ryan Whitney]]
| D
|-
| '''20'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Colby Armstrong]]
| RW
|-
| '''27'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Georges Laraque]]
| RW
|-
| '''30'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Dany Sabourin]]{{Ref|2}}
| G
|-
| '''35'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Ty Conklin]]
| G
|-
| '''37'''
| {{flagicon|FIN}}
| align=left | [[Jarkko Ruutu]]
| LW
|-
| '''38'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Jeff Taffe]]
| C
|-
| '''44'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Brooks Orpik]]
| D
|-
| '''48'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Tyler Kennedy]]
| RW
|-
| '''55'''
| {{flagicon|RUS}}
| align=left | [[Sergei Gonchar]] (A)
| D
|-
| '''58'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Kris Letang]]
| D
|-
| '''71'''
| {{flagicon|RUS}}
| align=left | [[Evgeni Malkin]]
| LW
|-
| '''87'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Sidney Crosby]] (C)
| C
|-
| colspan=4 |''Head coach:'' {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Michel Therrien]]
|}

{{col-break|gap=1em}}

{| width="65%" class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=4 | Buffalo Sabres
|-
! #
!
! Player<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20072008/TH020584.HTM | title=Time On Ice Report Home Team | publisher=[[National Hockey League]] | work=nhl.com | date=2008-01-01 | access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref>
! Position
|-
| '''5'''
| {{flagicon|FIN}}
| align=left | [[Toni Lydman]]
| D
|-
| '''6'''
| {{flagicon|CZE}}
| align=left | [[Jaroslav Špaček|Jaroslav Spacek]] (C)
| D
|-
| '''9'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Derek Roy]]
| C
|-
| '''10'''
| {{flagicon|SWE}}
| align=left | [[Henrik Tallinder]]
| D
|-
| '''12'''
| {{flagicon|CZE}}
| align=left | [[Aleš Kotalík|Ales Kotalik]]
| RW
|-
| '''19'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Tim Connolly]]
| C
|-
| '''20'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Daniel Paille]]
| LW
|-
| '''22'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Adam Mair]]
| RW
|-
| '''26'''
| {{flagicon|AUT}}
| align=left | [[Thomas Vanek]]
| LW
|-
| '''28'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Paul Gaustad]]
| C
|-
| '''29'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Jason Pominville]] (A)
| RW
|-
| '''30'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Ryan Miller]]
| G
|-
| '''35'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Jocelyn Thibault]]{{Ref|1}}
| G
|-
| '''37'''
| {{flagicon|USA}}
| align=left | [[Michael Ryan (ice hockey)|Michael Ryan]]
| C
|-
| '''38'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Nathan Paetsch]]
| D
|-
| '''45'''
| {{flagicon|RUS}}
| align=left | [[Dmitri Kalinin]]
| D
|-
| '''51'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Brian Campbell]]
| D
|-
| '''55'''
| {{flagicon|GER}}
| align=left | [[Jochen Hecht]] (A)
| LW
|-
| '''61'''
| {{flagicon|RUS}}
| align=left | [[Maxim Afinogenov]]
| RW
|-
| '''76'''
| {{flagicon|CAN}}
| align=left | [[Andrew Peters]]
| LW
|-
| colspan=4 |''Head coach:'' {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Lindy Ruff]]
|}
{{col-end}}
:{{Note|1}} Jocelyn Thibault dressed for the Buffalo Sabres as the back-up goalie and did not enter the game. <br/> {{Note|2}} Dany Sabourin dressed for the Pittsburgh Penguins as the back-up goalie and did not enter the game.

===Scratches===
*Pittsburgh Penguins: #10 [[Gary Roberts (ice hockey)|Gary Roberts]] (injured)
*Buffalo Sabres: #4 [[Nolan Pratt]] (healthy), #21 [[Drew Stafford]] ([[concussion]])

===Officials===
* [[Official (ice hockey)#Referees|Referees]] — [[Marc Joannette]], Don VanMassenhoven
* [[Official (ice hockey)#Linesmen|Linesmen]] — Brad Kovachik, Tim Nowak

== Future games ==
Due to the success of the Winter Classic and its predecessor, outdoor games have been held during subsequent seasons, and the Winter Classic has become an annual NHL tradition. The [[2009 NHL Winter Classic|next Winter Classic]] was held on January 1, 2009, at [[Wrigley Field]] in [[Chicago]], matching the [[Detroit Red Wings]] against the [[Chicago Blackhawks]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/02/sports/hockey/02wrigley.html|title=Red Wings Dominate Blackhawks at Frigid Wrigley Field|last=Borzi|first=Pat|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 1, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2025}}</ref> Winter Classics have been held in every year since, except for 2013, which was interrupted by the [[2012–2013 NHL lockout]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/nov/02/nhl-winter-classic-detroit-toronto|title=NHL cancels 2013 Winter Classic between Detroit and Toronto|via=Associated Press|newspaper=The Guardian|date=November 2, 2012|accessdate=June 9, 2025}}</ref> The [[NHL Heritage Classic]], which began in [[2003 NHL Heritage Classic|2003]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/enduring-memory-of-2003-heritage-classic-the-cold|title=Enduring memory of 2003 Heritage Classic: The cold|via=Postmedia News|last=Fisher|first=Red|date=February 20, 2011|newspaper=National Post|accessdate=June 26, 2025}}</ref> have had six Heritage Classics since the Winter Classic. The league expanded its offerings of outdoor games with the introduction of the [[NHL Stadium Series]] in [[2014 NHL Stadium Series|2014]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/sports/hockey/nhl-stadium-series-announces-date-in-chicago.html|title=N.H.L. Stadium Series Announces Date in Chicago|last1=Belson|first1=Ken|last2=Klein|first2=Jeff|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=June 26, 2025}}</ref> Since the inaugural Winter Classic, the NHL has held 34 additional outdoor games, which includes the Winter Classic, the Stadium Series, and the Heritage Classic, as well as one-off events like the [[Centennial Classic]], [[NHL 100 Classic]] and [[NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe]] games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbc4i.com/sports/blue-jackets/notable-stadiums-to-host-outdoor-nhl-games-since-2008/|title=Notable stadiums to host outdoor NHL games since 2008|last=Benatar|first=Orri|publisher=Nexstar Media Inc.|date=February 25, 2025|website=NBC4i.com|accessdate=June 26, 2025}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[2007–08 Buffalo Sabres season]]
*[[2007–08 Pittsburgh Penguins season]]
*[[List of outdoor ice hockey games]]
*[[List of ice hockey games with highest attendance]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20072008/GS020584.HTM NHL.com game summary]
*[http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2007020584&navid=sb:boxscore Game boxscore]
*{{YouTube|7L1bE8y4no8|Video highlights of the Winter Classic}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080101054145/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/12285-Winter-Classic-time-lapse-photography.html Hockey News time-lapse photography of rink construction]

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{{2007–08 NHL season by team}}
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{{NHL Radio}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:2008 Nhl Winter Classic}}
[[Category:NHL Winter Classic]]
[[Category:2007–08 NHL season|Winter Classic]]
[[Category:2008 in sports in New York (state)|NHL Winter Classic]]
[[Category:Buffalo Sabres games]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Penguins games]]
[[Category:Ice hockey competitions in New York (state)]]