NHL Power Rankings: Memorable Moments in Winter Classic History

Andy's NHL power rankings for the most memorable moments in Winter Classic History. The greatest moments in Winter Classic History include Sidney Crosby, Corey Perry and Henrik Lundqvist

The NHL has many traditions that have stood the test of time. However, one of the most well-known traditions began in January of 2008 at the then-Ralph Wilson Stadium when the Buffalo Sabres faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first-ever Winter Classic.

Since this game, the NHL has made it a tradition, typically taking place on New Year's Day, except for a few exceptions (like this year). Over the past decade and a half, the Winter Classic has been hosted at several historic venues, such as Fenway Park and Wrigley Field, and typically features one of the Original Six teams.

With the 2026 Winter Classic between the New York Rangers and the reigning two-time Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers just hours away, let's take a look back at some of the most memorable moments this yearly tradition has brought hockey fans. Let's dive in!

Henrik Lundqvist Shuts the Door Against Philadelphia

The 2012 Winter Classic took place at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and saw the Flyers play host to one of their longtime rivals, the New York Rangers, in an Eastern Conference showdown. This was the fifth installment of the Winter Classic.

At the time of the contest, both teams were among the top teams in the conference. The Rangers entered the game sitting at the top of the then-Atlantic Division with 50 points, while the Flyers sat just behind them with 48 points.

Both teams were held off the scoreboard in the opening frame, but Brayden Schenn and Claude Giroux wasted little time in the second to give Philadelphia a two-goal lead. However, shortly before the intermission, Mike Rupp would get the Blue Shirts on the score sheet.

In the third, Rupp would strike again, tying the game in the opening minutes, and shortly after, Mike Richards would score their third-straight goal, which would eventually serve as the game-winner. While Rupp did enjoy an impressive outing, the star of the show was netminder Henrik Lundqvist.

The King stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced, as the Flyers had the edge in shots (Rangers had 33). While he was stellar in the final frame, he saved his best moment for the final minute. With just 20 seconds left on the game clock, the Flyers were awarded a penalty shot due to a delay of the game call as star defender Ryan McDonagh covered the puck in the crease.

Winger Daniel Brière was given the nod, but Lundqvist would shut the door as Brière attempted to beat him in the five-hole.

pic.twitter.com/JBEPvGSF2k

— New York Sports Games (@NYSportsGames12) January 26, 2022

Cam Fowler Makes History in 2025

Cam Fowler put his name in the history books during last year's Winter Classic. Due to the scheduling of several major college football playoff games, the NHL opted to shift this season's Winter Classic to New Year's Eve. This was also the second time in history that Wrigley Field served as the home venue, with the first being in 2009 when the Blackhawks hosted the Red Wings.

In this contest, the Blackhawks would host the St. Louis Blues, which was actually a rematch from the 2017 Winter Classic, where the Blues got the better end of the result, defeating them 4-1. Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, they were unable to flip the script in the rematch.

The Blues would dominate this contest, defeating Connor Bedard and company by a score of 6-2. However, the story of the night went to the veteran defenseman, Fowler.

After this game, Fowler became the first player in NHL history to play his 1,000th career contest and made a major impact, netting two goals and being named the game's first star. He also became the first defenseman to score two goals in any NHL outdoor game.

This performance extended the Blues' perfect 3-0 streak in the Winter Classics.

CAM FOWLER. IN HIS 1,000TH GAME. OUTDOORS. WHAT A MOMENT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/v7FAcFfqg9

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 31, 2024

The Snow Storm at The Big House

Playing hockey outdoors always provided viewers with an incredible aesthetic and scenery that cannot be replicated. The only way it could get better is if Mother Nature decides to coat the stadium with snow.

In 2014, Hockey fans got their wish granted in one of the most memorable Winter Classic games of all time.

Before the players even took the ice, there was controversy surrounding this game. This match between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings was initially scheduled for January of 2013 but was postponed due to the league's lockout the year prior. The wait was worth it as hockey fans witnessed an incredible game that needed a shootout to decide the winner.

This Winter classic marked the first time this game would be played at a college football stadium. The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, (Michigan Stadium) served as the perfect venue for the clash between two Original Six teams, hosting over 100,000 fans.

The massive storm that swept through Michigan made travel difficult and even caused numerous stoppages during the game as ice staff shovelled as heavy snow continued to pile on the ice.

While the scenery was nothing short of incredible, the show on the ice may have topped it. After a scoreless first frame, both teams traded goals in the second and third frames, eventually forcing overtime. After a scoreless overtime frame, it went to a shootout where Tyler Bozak played the hero for the visiting Leafs.

Toronto netminder Jonathan Bernier was named the game's first star as he stopped 41 of the 43 shots he saw.

In front of 105,000+ people, Tyler Bozak scored the GAME-WINNER in the shootout to win the 2014 Winter Classic. 🚨@MapleLeafs | #HockeyWeekNBC pic.twitter.com/nGiDMzKPqN

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) March 26, 2020

Corey Perry's Early Exit

Let's take a quick detour to one of the most bizarre moments in NHL history. In 2020, the Winter Classic was played at the Cotton Bowl, where the Dallas Stars hosted the Nashville Predators.

After just three minutes of play, Stars winger Corey Perry was given a game misconduct due to putting his elbow in defenseman Ryan Ellis's face. In most NHL games, a player would simply exit directly to the locker room after being tossed from the game. However, given that the locker rooms were quite far from the ice, Perry had to take a lengthy "walk of shame" after the penalty.

For nearly 30 seconds, the camera followed Perry as he made his way to the home team locker room in potentially the most memorable penalty in the history of the Winter Classic. This moment lives in infamy within the hockey community as one of the strangest and awkward moments in a live event, and has followed Perry throughout his career.

Most awkward moment in Winter Classic history? When Corey Perry got tossed 3 minutes in for elbowing and had to take the walk of shame out of the Cotton Bowl 😭🪱 pic.twitter.com/dLH0BWMAVT

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 26, 2025

The Stars would eventually win this game (4-2) thanks to four straight goals that were kick-started by a Blake Comeau goal in the second frame.

Troy Brouwer's Game-Winner in the Final Minute

When looking at "clutch" moments in the Winter Classic in terms of scoring, Troy Brouwer's last-minute game-winner may take the cake. The 2015 Winter Classic was between the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals and was played at Nationals Park in D.C.

The Capitals got out to an early two-goal lead in the opening frame thanks to goals by Eric Fehr and Alex Ovechkin. However, Chicago's Patrick Sharp would cut the lead in half with a power-play goal in the back half of the frame.

In the second, Brandon Saad would tie the game up at two with an even-strength goal that beat Washington netminder Braden Holtby.

With the teams locked in a stalemate, the Capitals would be given a crucial power play in the game's final minutes, and they would not disappoint. Winger Troy Brouwer would find the back of the net with just 12.9 seconds left on the clock from a shot just inside the faceoff dot.

On this day in 2015, with the game tied 2-2 late in the third period, Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal with just 12.9 seconds remaining to give the Capitals the victory against the Blackhawks in the Winter Classic at Nationals Park #Hockey365 #Blackhawks #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/KInXehJgAd

— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) January 1, 2025

Sidney Crosby Wins First Winter Classic in Shootout

Without a doubt, the first-ever Winter Classic will cap off this list. In 2008, the NHL would launch the First Winter Classic at Orchard Park between the Sabres and Penguins. The Sabres dominated play, logging 37 shots to Pittsburgh's 25, but the Penguins would enjoy the better result.

Colby Armstrong would waste little time as he scored the first-ever goal in the game's first 21 seconds. The Sabres would eventually tie the game, thanks to a Brian Campbell strike at the start of the second frame.

Both teams would hold a stalemate throughout the third period and overtime, forcing a shootout. Of course, the legendary Sidney Crosby would steal the show with the game-winning shootout goal to cap off the first Classic.

Sidney Crosby’s shootout winner in the 2008 #WinterClassic was a BEAUTY ❄️😮‍💨

(via @NHL) pic.twitter.com/q2utJQCdIV

— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) December 30, 2025

Other Memorable Moments:

• Joey Daccord's 2024 shutout (first-ever shutout in Winter Classic history)
• Pavel Datsyuk leads Detroit to victory in 2009 with an incredible goal
• Brent Seabrook's massive hit on Dan Cleary in 2009
• Marco Sturm wins the 2010 Winter Classic in overtime

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