What You Need to Know About the NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium

Editor’s Note: Information in this article was provided by the NHL and Gillette Stadium.

For two days Gillette Stadium will be the home of hockey as the NHL hosts the 2016 Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.

The annual tradition will be a two-day event with activities on both Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. On day one, the Boston Blades of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League will face Les Canadiennes. The Blades entered the 2015-16 season as the defending league champions, defeating the Canadiennes, who were known as the Montreal Stars at the time.

Following the women’s game will be the Bruins-Canadians alumni game, featuring some of the best players from each franchise’s past.

The main event happens on New Year’s Day when the Bruins and Canadians face off. The Bruins enter the game with a record of 20-12-4 and sit in third place in the Atlantic Division with 44 points. Ahead a point and a place in the standings is Montreal with a record of 21-15-3.

The winner of the Winner Classic will move past Florida for first place in the division.

To help you get ready for the game, here is what you need to know:

Broadcast Information

NBC will broadcast the game on television with 98.5 the Sports Hub proving radio coverage. The game can also be viewed live on NBCSports.com.

Arrive Early and Allow for Plenty of Time Around Gillette Stadium

With a capacity crowd of nearly 67,000 fans expected, Gillette Stadium officials encourage drivers to allow themselves plenty of time when traveling near the stadium on game day. Traffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after the game. Fans must use I-95, I-495 or Route 140 to access Route 1 and Gillette Stadium.

Security and law enforcement officials will be on-site to ensure the safety of everyone attending the events. All guests, including children, must consent to a search of their person and anything they are carrying. Metal detectors will be located at all stadium gates. All guests are encouraged to arrive and enter Gillette Stadium early to alleviate the long security screening lines at all gates.

Parking Lot Information

Stadium parking lots open at 9 a.m. Parking is $50 for cars and motorcycles and $200 for buses, RVs, and limos. Those who would prefer to not drive can take the MBTA Commuter Rail to the stadium from South Station in Boston and TF Green Airport in Warwick, R.I. for $15 roundtrip.

South Station Schedule

• South Station: 10:15 a.m.
• Back Bay: 10:20 a.m.
• Dedham Corp: 10:35 a.m.
• Arrive: 11:20 a.m.

TF Green Airport Station Schedule

• TF Green Airport: 10 a.m.
• Providence: 10:30 a.m.
• South Attleboro: 10:40 a.m.
• Attleboro: 11:50 a.m.
• Mansfield: 11 a.m.
• Arrive: 11:35 a.m.

Both trains will leave Gillette Stadium 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game.

The Dos and Do Nots of the Parking Lot

No one wants to be that person that gets in trouble for something that could have been avoided by knowing the rules of the parking lot. Here are the regulations for parking at the stadium. To provide all visitors with a safe and enjoyable visit to Gillette Stadium, the following parking lot restrictions apply on game days:

• Visitors must be in possession of a valid ticket to that day’s game to gain access to parking lots.
• Parking license is limited solely to the purpose of parking your vehicle on our property to gain entry to Gillette Stadium. Each paid license entitles the licensee to occupy one parking space.
• Solicitation, commercial or otherwise, by anyone for any purpose is expressly prohibited.
• Sale of any food, beverage or other items in Gillette Stadium parking lots, either prepaid or walk-up, without obtaining prior written approval of stadium management is expressly prohibited.
• Visitors must follow the directions given by the parking attendants and park within the space designated for your use.
• Spaces cannot be held for vehicles arriving at a later time.
• Vehicles cannot be pulled into drive aisles after they are parked.

Prohibited Items

Fans may not bring the following items into the stadium:

• Bags larger than a 12” x 12” x 6”. Contents of all bags will be inspected. Exceptions can be made for guests with special medical needs.
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Remotely Controlled Model Aircraft
• Selfie sticks
• GoPro Cameras
• Battery Operated Heated Jackets
• Any type of portable chair or seat, other than those approved for persons with accessibility issues
• Video cameras
• Tripods or monopods
• Flagpoles over 2 feet in length
• Weapons of any kind, including pocket/utility knives
• Food or beverages
• Illegal drugs and substances
• Coolers or containers, including cans and bottles
• Umbrellas
• Fireworks, pyrotechnics, flares
• Laser pointers
• Animals, other than service dogs assisting those with disabilities
• Strollers or baby seats
• Segways
• Noisemakers, bullhorns, air horns, vuvuzelas
• Helium balloons, beach balls
• Lacrosse balls
• Any alcoholic beverages
• Food or beverages [unless the individual is in possession of a letter signed by Kelly Way, Director of Operations, TeamOps LLC
• Folding and/or standalone chairs
• Seat Cushions
• Soccer balls

Bag Policy

The same policy used for Patriots game will be used for the Winter Classic. The policy states that all bags entering the stadium must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no larger than 12” x 6” x 12.” Fans can use one-gallon clear (see through) plastic freezer bag or similar. In addition, small clutch bags (not to exceed 7” x 4” x 2”) may be carried into the stadium along with one of the clear bag options. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: non-see-through purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, seat cushions, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.

Season Series

This will be the fourth of five regular season meetings between the Bruins and Canadiens. Montreal got the best of Boston, winning 4-2 on Oct. 10 and Nov. 7. Boston bounced back on Dec. 9, picking up a 3-1 win.

Winter Classic by the Numbers

• 1 - The Montreal Canadiens will be making their first appearance in the NHL Winter Classic. The team has previously participated in two outdoor NHL® regular-season games: the 2003 Molson Canadian Heritage Classic vs. Edmonton at Commonwealth Stadium and the 2011 Tim Horton’s NHL Heritage Classic™ vs. Calgary at McMahon Stadium.
• 2 - The Boston Bruins will be playing in their second NHL Winter Classic. They will become the first team to host the event twice after hosting the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park, where they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, in overtime.
• 2 - On Dec. 31, there will be two games played on Gillette Stadium’s outdoor rink as part of the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic festivities: the first-ever Outdoor Women’s Classic presented by Scotiabank between the Boston Pride of the National Women’s Hockey League and Les Canadiennes of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League at 2 p.m. ET; and the NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game presented by Molson Canadian between the Montreal Canadiens Alumni and Boston Bruins Alumni at 3:30 p.m. ET.
• 4 - Players on the Bruins’ active roster who participated in the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park: Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask (DNP). In addition, Max Talbot participated in the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Matt Beleskey played in the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™ as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.
• 7 - Seven players on the Canadiens’ active roster have played in a regular-season outdoor NHL game, including six who skated in the 2011 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic™ at McMahon Stadium: David Desharnais, Lars Eller, Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec, Carey Price and P.K. Subban. In addition, defenseman Andrei Markov also played for the Canadiens in the 2003 Molson Canadian Heritage Classic, the first regular-season outdoor game in NHL history.
• 8 - Number of hours the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza will be open. Fans of all ages are welcome to join the NHL and its corporate partners at Gillette Stadium Lot 22 for a free fan festival with hockey-themed attractions, music, and fun. Spectator Plaza will be open on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015 (11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET) and Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET).
• 9 - Number of head-to-head Game 7s played between the Bruins and Canadiens, the most in North American professional sports.
• 10 - Number of stories that Gillette Stadium’s signature lighthouse in the north end zone rises above the ice rink.
• 11 - Number worn by Bruins forward Jimmy Hayes, who is from Dorchester, Mass., Boston’s largest neighborhood.
• 15 - All time, there have been 15 regular-season outdoor NHL games contested. Of those 15 games, eight have been hosted in football venues and seven have been hosted in baseball stadiums.
• 19 - Average low temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, for Foxborough, Mass. on January 1, according to weather.com.
• 32 - Number worn by Canadiens forward Brian Flynn, who is from Lynnfield, Mass., a suburb of Boston.
• 37 - Average temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at puck drop for the seven NHL Winter Classic® games (2008 – 31.1°, 2009 – 31.9°, 2010 – 39.6°, 2011 – 51.7°, 2012 – 41°, 2014 – 13°, 2015 – 37°).
• 37 - Average high temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, for Foxborough, Mass. on January 1, according to weather.com.
• 53 - Length, in feet, of the world’s largest mobile rink refrigeration unit, specially built for outdoor games conducted by the NHL.
• 110 - A total of 110 skaters and goaltenders have played for the Bruins and Canadiens (none active in the NHL). Only one – forward Michael Ryder – played at least 200 games with both franchises.
• 120 - Recycled Bridgestone tires used to make the rubber matting surrounding the Bryan McGonagle Street Hockey rink in Charlestown, Mass., which was recently renovated as part of the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Legacy Initiative powered by Constellation. In addition, the Bruins, the city of Boston, the NHL and its partners donated a new scoreboard, rink boards, team benches, spectator seating, goalie nets, and 10 sets of new street hockey equipment; as well as new light poles and LED lighting fixtures that will allow the community to use the rink in the evenings.
• 160+ - Approximate number of countries and territories that will carry the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic game broadcast.
• 177 - Total number of Stanley Cup® Playoff games played between the Bruins and Canadiens, the most in NHL history.
• 186 - Gallons of clam chowder that will be served to fans at Gillette Stadium on New Year’s Day.
• 243 - Number of ice pans under the main rink at Gillette Stadium, each measuring 30” x 340” in size.
• 300 - Ton capacity of refrigeration trailer that will keep the ice cool at Gillette Stadium.
• 307 - Approximate number of miles that separate Montreal and Boston.
• 350 - Gallons of paint used to make the Gillette Stadium ice white.
• 481 - Players and head coaches who have participated in the League’s 15 regular-season outdoor games to date.
• 732 - Including three matchups from this season, the number of all-time regular season meetings between the Bruins and the Canadiens, the most in NHL history. The Bruins (272-348-112) have earned 656 points and the Canadiens (357-265-110) have earned 824 points in these meetings.
• 909 - The total number of regular-season and Stanley Cup playoff games played between the Bruins and Canadiens entering the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
• 1,000 - The number of gallons of water the NHL will restore for every fan that texts “NHL” to 77177, a pledge to conserve water this holiday season (or on New Year’s Day or during the NHL Winter Classic). The NHL supports the Change the Course campaign, a partnership with National Geographic, Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Participant Media. Join the effort, learn more at http://www.changethecourse.us/.
• 2,000 - Weight, in pounds, of Italian sausage that fans at Gillette Stadium will eat at the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
• 2002 - Year Gillette Stadium was opened.
• 3,000 - Gallons of coolant used to freeze the Gillette Stadium rink.
• 11,306 - Square footage of the two high-definition video boards at Gillette Stadium. It would take 1,700 37” TVs to fill the video board in the south end zone, which at 45’ x 100’ is the largest HDTV video screen in an outdoor NFL stadium.
• 32,600 - The thread count of the embroidery on the official 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic logo, which will appear on 10,857 tuques available for purchase at Gillette Stadium.
• 413,548 - Total spectators in attendance at the first seven NHL Winter Classic games.

Photo Credit: NHL