Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk, both seasoned broadcasters in outdoor hockey games, still find the Winter Classic to be a special highlight of the season.
Albert, set to announce Monday’s NHL game at Fenway Park between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins, cherishes the unique atmosphere of these matches. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Albert said, expressing his enthusiasm for the assignment.
This marks Albert’s fifth Winter Classic but only his second on television. Olczyk, meanwhile, has been the primary television analyst for most Winter Classics since the event’s inception in 2008. This year, TNT will broadcast the game for the second time since taking over from NBC.
Last year’s game in Minneapolis between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues highlighted the challenges of outdoor games, with temperatures plunging to minus 6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Albert recalled attempting to keep the windows open during the first period, only to close them due to the extreme cold, which led to visibility issues as the windows fogged up. Despite these difficulties, Albert noted, “It really never gets old calling games in iconic venues.”
Olczyk, who has participated in 14 Winter Classics, remembers the inaugural game in Buffalo 15 years ago as a pivotal moment. The snowy setting and high ratings demonstrated the appeal of an outdoor New Year’s game. “People were just motivated,” Olczyk said. “Everything that the league and NBC dreamed about came to fruition.”
The broadcast positions for these games vary greatly, from near-ice-level views to distant vantage points like last year in Minnesota. This year’s setup at Fenway Park, however, places Albert and Olczyk in a suite along the first-base line, offering a closer perspective akin to an indoor game.
While Fenway Park’s iconic features will draw attention, the game itself holds unique standings implications. Boston, leading the league with 60 points, will face Pittsburgh and star player Sidney Crosby in his sixth outdoor game.
“It is a game and there are two points on the line,” Olczyk noted, “but from a broadcast point of view, it’s about the event. It’s fun to be in a different type of setting than we normally are on a night in, night out basis”.