BREAKING: The NHL Winter Classic Start will remain Noon CT today!

It’s foggy and drizzling at Busch Stadium with a high of 52 degrees and a 66 percent chance of light rain in the afternoon, but staff is tending to the ice in preparation for today’s game.

Players and coaches from both teams yesterday wanted to play, and with some special rules to make the competition fair, the NHL is making it happen.

Per the NHL:
The National Hockey League announced today that the start time of the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Busch Stadium between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks will remain at Noon CT. The decision was made after consulting with meteorologists regarding the latest weather reports, which while the weather forecast is unpredictable, the original start time should provide the best opportunity to play the game.

Notes:

All 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic tickets will continue to be honored and all ticket holder agreement language remains unchanged.

The following is a list of Fan Reminders:

Umbrellas are not permitted in Busch Stadium

Gates to Busch Stadium will now open at 10 a.m. CT

Busch Stadium Parking Lots at Ballpark Village will open at 7 a.m. CT

The PreGame presented by Enterprise will now open at 9 a.m. CT

The following are the weather-related GAME procedure contingencies for the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic:

  • Once the game has begun, it may be subject to one or more temporary stoppages due to unplayable weather conditions, at the discretion of the Commissioner.
  • Period and game format may be reconfigured to accommodate temporary stoppages as determined appropriate by the Commissioner.
  • In the event of high winds at the ice surface, the clubs will switch ends at the 10:00 minute mark of the third period as signaled by a “hard whistle.” The face off will take place where the play was whistled dead. This identical procedure will take place at the 2:30 minute mark of an overtime period, if needed.
  • In the event of a shootout, each club will determine what end they prefer to defend, which could be the same end.
  • If the game is started, then stopped permanently due to unplayable weather conditions, it will be deemed “official” once two periods have been played. The team leading at the time play is stopped will be declared the winner and will be awarded two points in the standings.
  • If the game is tied at the time play is stopped permanently, any time after two periods of play, each team will be awarded one point in the standings, with an opportunity to earn an additional point in a standard shootout format.
  • If weather conditions permit, the shootout will be conducted at Busch Stadium immediately after regulation play has been stopped. If weather conditions make it impossible to conduct a shootout safely at Busch Stadium, the shootout will take place at United Center on Sunday, February 26 prior to the regularly scheduled St. Louis-Chicago game, with St. Louis deemed the home club for shootout purposes only.
  • If the game is started, and stopped permanently due to unplayable weather conditions, and fewer than two periods of regular time has been played, the game will be officially “postponed” and, if possible, will be played in its entirety at Busch Stadium on Tuesday, January 3. If the game cannot be replayed at Busch Stadium on January 3, it will be rescheduled at Scottrade Center for a date to be determined later in the season.
  • Ticket holders must retain their tickets to gain re-entry to Busch Stadium in the event the game is to be played Tuesday, January 3. There will be no refunds for ticket holders unable to attend Monday’s postponement date. If the event is canceled on Tuesday, a refund of the ticket’s face value will be honored. The refund does not include service fees, and other fees such as delivery or processing fees. Ticket holders should review the back of their ticket or https://www.nhl.com/news/2017-nhl-winter-classic-refund-policy/c-281264752?tid=283985238 for complete refund policy language.

The game will be televised at 12:00 p.m. (noon) CT/1 p.m. ET on NBC, Sportsnet, TVA2.

Carly grew up needing to know more about icing than its deliciousness on cupcakes. She's the lone daughter of four children, with a father who was among the last cut from the Midwest tryouts for the 1980 Miracle on Ice Olympic team. And she knows very little matches the thrill that happens from puck-drop to handshakes. A rink didn’t return to her hometown until she was gone, but she’s been able to see two younger brothers on the ice. She's their feistiest fan. Her other hockey loyalty lies with the Blackhawks--whether it's meant seeing games for $8 with student IDs when the Madhouse didn’t have much of a temper at all, or dancing to Chelsea Dagger at standing room only--there’s something magical about a roaring anthem, the Indianhead sweater, and the Original Six. A former journalist and current editor, she carries a penchant for excitement (and maybe even fighting) with a resume that includes working for Chicago-area newspapers, and television, including The Jerry Springer Show, as well as NBCUniversal in New York. After East Coast living and a return to the Chicago area, the new Mrs. is giving Graceland a go with her Southern Gent, who now shares her adoration of the game, and their rescue dog, Doc Holliday. Other interests include Cubs, Bears, Illini, Crimson Tide, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, baking a mean pineapple upside-down cake, Kate Spade accessories, and a properly coordinated cardigan for every ensemble.

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