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PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The New York Rangers will play at Philadelphia for the 2012 Winter Classic, which the NHL has scheduled for Jan. 2. The NHL said the annual outdoor event would be staged at Citizens Bank Park, the home of baseball's Philadelphia Phillies.
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The Winter Classic is traditionally played Jan. 1 but was moved back a day to avoid a conflict with the final day of regular-season play in the NFL.
The 2012 edition is the fifth Winter Classic and second to have the Flyers involved. Philadelphia played the Boston Bruins at Fenway Park in 2010.
"The Rangers-Flyers rivalry is one of our very best," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "It is only a short distance from Broadway to Broad Street and, over the years, these not-so-neighborly teams have provided an assortment of memorable games.
"I have every expectation that the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will provide more great moments to remember."
The first Winter Classic was played in 2008 when the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres in a shootout with snow falling at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Chicago hosted Detroit at Wrigley Field in 2009 and the 2011 contest featured the Washington Capitals and Penguins at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field.
