Trenton, NJ (Sports Network) - The NHL's third Winter Classic will be played between the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010.
It is being reported by the Trentonian that the league was trying to push for a Washington/Boston matchup at Fenway in order to feature two-time Hart Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin. However, NBC, who will broadcast the game, wanted the Flyers so as to draw a better television audience.
Boston finished this past season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference and had a 22-point improvement over the previous season. The team won four awards including the Vezina, Jack Adams and Norris trophies, but were bounced in the second round of the playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia went 44-27-11 in the regular season and finished fifth overall in the Eastern Conference, but were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Last season's Winter Classic featured the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks at Chicago's Wrigley Field. In the game, Jiri Hudler scored twice and added an assist as the Red Wings took a 6-4 win over the Blackhawks.