Jackson's Five: Top Winter Classic moments

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Everything but the finish. That would be the most concise way to some up the remarkable weekend that was at Citizens Bank Park as the NHL conducted its fifth Winter Classic extravaganza. The Flyers 3-2 loss to the Rangers, especially after leading 2-0, closed things on a downer for Philadelphia fans. However, for those who attended the Alumni Game andor the Classic itself or even watched on television, some unforgettable moments transpired. Here are five visual snapshots that will remain etched in my memory bank ...

5. Schenn's jubilant first
The ironies of sport can sometimes be startling. What are the odds of the Flyers having a player notch his first NHL goal in the Winter Classic in each of the clubs first two opportunities to appear in one. Danny Syvret in 2010. Brayden Schenn on Monday.

It would be difficult to forget the pure joy exhibited by Schenn has he hurtled toward the boards after ramming home the rebound. It has been a frustrating first half of the season for the 20-year-old. His reaction indicated both relief and excitement at finally potting his first tally in the bigs.

4. Legionnaires team up
Speaking of goal celebrations, how about the beaming smiles of Eric Lindros and John LeClair after they collaborated on the first goal of the Alumni game on Saturday? Lindros to LeClair. Weve seen it and heard it hundreds of times before in games that counted. Yet, when two thirds of the Legion of Doom got one outdoors in a baseball park in front of over 45,000 people, it had special meaning.

In fact, Lindros return for the Winter Classic festivities added extra emotion to the proceedings. I have to admit seeing No. 88 in orange and black again brought back a special feeling as one recalls how truly dominant he was early in his career. It was great to see Lindros and Bob Clarke put the past behind them to celebrate hockey in Philadelphia for at least one weekend.

3. The pregame ceremonies
The ceremonies before both the Alumni Game and Classic brought chills. On Saturday, I was fortunate enough to be ice-side to take in the emotion of the players as they were introduced to the sold out ballpark. As Lou Nolan introduced the likes of Bernie Parent, Mark Howe, Bill Barber, the Watson brothers, Bob Clarke and Lindros, all the eras of Flyers hockey melded together. It was surreal. And then, as Lauren Hart with an assist from Kate Smith belted out God Bless America, the electricity at ice-level was off the charts.

On Monday, Patti LaBelle completed her usual stirring rendition of our national anthem just as the fighter jets roared overhead followed by the fireworks. The Winter Classic is a spectacle. Its moments like that when you just feel lucky to even be a part of such an event.

2. High drama finish
Not all memories are positive ones. For Flyers fans, the visual of Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stoning Danny Briere on the pivotal penalty shot with less than 20 seconds to play will sting for a while.

Still, we must admit, it was a dramatic ending to the festivities. The validity of the penalty shot being called in the first place can be debated forever. I think it could have gone either way. But it did create a one-on-one matchup between one of the best breakaway goalies and one of the best one on one scorers in the sport with the most hyped and watched regular season game of the year on the line. Now, thats theatre!

If Briere scored and the Flyers went on to win, it would have gone down as one of the top moments in the teams history. As it was, King Henrik added another notch in his belt and got at least a little retribution for losing that shootout two seasons ago in Philadelphia in the winner take all game for a playoff spot.

1. It's a beautiful thing
Sixty-six-year-old Bernie Parents moment in the sun during the Alumni Game tops my list of memories I will take away from the weekend. It was the mutual admiration society at its finest. Bernies love for the fans is why he bothered to put the pads on one last time. Those fans reciprocated in kind with one roaring standing ovation after another.

Over 30 years ago, Parents career ended prematurely because of an eye injury. He was denied his last wave to his adoring fans with his equipment on. He finally got that in front of 45,000 on Saturday afternoon and the emotion was palpable.

To know Bernie is to love him. He so often uses the phrase Its a beautiful thing to sum up a situation. He couldnt have been more on the mark saying that Saturday.

If it hasnt already happened, our attention will soon turn to the Blackhawks initial return to Philadelphia since the 10 Cup Finals or the Flyers goaltending situation. In other words, the season goes on. However, this past weekend was special in so many ways. Only rare events spark memories of a lifetime. The 2012 Winter Classic and Alumni Game did just that.

E-mail Jim Jackson at jjackson@comcastsporsnet.com

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