We move to the ice now and the NHL’s annual Winter Classic. This year was an original six match-up between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the host Detroit Red Wings. And the game would be played in front of an NHL record 105-thousand fans at Michigan stadium.

The stadium one of the largest in the U.S. is usually home to the University of Michigan football team, but would play host to hockey on this New Year’s Day.

As you can see during the opening face-off, snow was falling and that affected playing conditions.

In fact they had to clean the ice between stoppages of play to prevent the white stuff from accumulating on the playing surface.

Scoring was at a premium, pick it up late in the second when the Wings break out 2-on-1. Henrik Zetterberg feeds Daniel Alfredsson and it is 1-nothing. (Replay) But the goal needed to be reviewed to see if it was kicked in. They ruled it was not intentional. So 1-buzz Detroit.

Toronto would have a chance to equalize on a power play late in the period, and cash in as James Van Riemsdyk is able to pot in a loose rebound. His 15th of the year makes it 1-1.

Off to the third and Toronto wins a face-off in Detroit territory and go in front. Tyler Bozak redirecting the point shot. The refs reviewed that to see if it was knocked in with a high stick. But Bozak’s stick was below the crossbar, so it counts. 2-1 Leafs.

And then late in the third, the Wings buzzing and they are able to equalize as Justin Abdelkader redirects the centring pass and it’s 2-2. and We are headed to overtime.

No scoring in the extra session, so it goes to a shoot-out, and Tyker Bozak can win it for the Buds, and he does so beating Jimmy Howard stick side. Toronto takes the Winter Classic beating Detroit in a shoot-out, in front of more than 105,000 fans.