An incredible crowd of almost 46,000 packed Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for the first event of the 2012 NHL Winter Classic, the Molson Canadian Alumni Game between 51 great former Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. The rosters of the two participating teams each included four members of the Hockey Hall of Fame: Bernie Parent, Bob Clarke, Bill Barber and Mark Howe for the Flyers, and Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Glenn Anderson and Mike Gartner for the Rangers. The Game was officiated by another sure fire Hall of Famer, Kerry Fraser (who will be eligible for election next year) along with his son, AHL referee Ryan Fraser, his son in law, former NHL referee Harry Dumas, and long time NHL linesman and a current NHL supervisor of officials Kevin Collins.

This game was a fitting prelude to the meeting between today's Flyers and Rangers on January 2nd before another standing room only live crown of 45,000+ and millions more on NBC and CBC. I'll be working behind the scenes on the NBC telecast with my close friend and colleague of 35+ years Mike "Doc" Emrick, but for the Alumni game I took my own camera down to CBP to record the exploits of these great retired players whom I had watched compete with and against each other so many many hundreds of times during their active careers ranging from the late 1960s to as recently as last spring when Mark Recchi, the most recent retiree, helped the Boston Bruins win the 2011 Stanley Cup.

And now here are the pictures ...


This is what "our game" is all about!


The man of the hour, Flyers' Hall of Fame goalie Bernie Parent just before heading to the dressing room for his first return to the Flyers goal since February, 1979 ....


... and a short time later leading the Orange and Black to the ice as he did so many hundreds of times in his great career.


Brad Marsh followed by Joe Watson, Al Hill and Jimmy Watson.


Orest Kindrachuk, Mark Recchi, Eric Lindros, and Bill Barber.


Hall of Famer Bill Barber followed by Larry Goodenough, Jim Dowd, John LeClair, and Shjon Podein.


Rick Tocchet, Dave Poulin, Chris Terrien, Kjell Samuelsson, Mark Howe, Bob Clarke.


Mark Howe, Bob Clarke, Reggie Leach, and Derien Hatcher.


Bob Clarke, Reggie Leach, and Derian Hatcher
(Notice the captain's all wood Sherwood stick and "game face")


Brian Propp and Kenny Linseman -- two thirds of the "Rat Patrol" -- and veteran trainer Dave "Sudsy" Settlemyre.


Tocchet, Samuelsson, Clarke, and Lindros.


"Bernie...


...Bernie...


...Bernie!"


Mark "Trees" Laforest ... still as colorful as ever.


Two time Stanley Cup winner Bernie Parent and two time Calder Cup winner Neil Little


Bernie, Howie, and Propper.


Joe Watson, Mark Howe, and Reggie Leach.


"JR"


John LeClair and Brian Propp


Pat Quinn


Gary Dornhoefer, Ron Hextall, and GM Paul Holmgren


Don Saleski and Dave Schultz


Former Flyer and Phantom P.J. Stock (right) as part of the CBC "Hockey Night in Canada" crew.


The two squads lined up and listening ...


...along to NBC's Mike "Doc" Emrick ...


... to Kate Smith and Lauren Hart singing "God Bless America".


The "LCB" Line" getting ready to take the opening face off against Ranger captain Mark Messier's trio.


Bernie in action...


...and awaiting a shot.


Kerry Fraser calls a penalty.


The "LCB Line" and the Watson Brothers all played as they did during their careers ... without "hats"!


The Flyers coaching braintrust, Mike Nykoluk, Pat Quinn,and Terry Crisp, enjoying another victory as their Flyers beat the Rangers, 3-1.


The NHL's Winter Classic compressor truck that makes it all possible.