Ilya Bryzgalov has been trying to break in a new glove, pads and blocker that are colored brown for the Winter Classic.
It took a couple practices to break it in, he said.
Essentially, they are throwback gear.
Bryzgalov said he last played an outdoor game back in Russia in either 1995 or 1996. He had some vivid memories, too.
It was a regular-season game with a farm team league near his hometown of Togliatti, Russia, he said. It was really cold. A big, drunk crowd. Fights. Very entertaining because the fans were right behind the boards.
Some of the guys, you dig the puck in the corner, and fans yelling and grabbing and they start to fight and punching each other and yelling at the players. That was very entertaining. Also, the third period was the longest in my life. We played like an hour.
Thats because the scoreboard wasnt working and the home team was down by a goal.
NHL
We played another hour until we scored a second goal and next whistle the game was over.
Bryzgalov is going to have his family at the Winter Classic.
My kids are very excited, he said.
There is one concern.
I hope we have good weather, he said. Because if its like its been in Philadelphia (warm) they should cancel the game. You cant play in the rain, either.
And if it does rain?
Well have to change our gear and wear the swimming hat and Speedo, he said. Rangers versus Flyers water polo.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net