2016 NHL Winter Classic
Montreal Canadiens defeated Boston Bruins 5–1 outdoors.
The eighth Winter Classic, officially the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, took place outdoors on January 1, 2016, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Montreal Canadiens faced the Boston Bruins in a key matchup of one of the league’s most famous rivalries, winning 5–1. A Bruins-Canadiens alumni game happened the day before, on December 31, 2015. Earlier that same day, the Boston Pride women’s professional team played Les Canadiennes of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League to a 1–1 tie in the first 2016 Outdoor Women’s Classic, officially called the Outdoor Women’s Classic presented by Scotiabank.
The Bruins were making their second Winter Classic appearance, having played the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2010 edition at Boston’s Fenway Park. Massachusetts thus became the first market to host the Winter Classic twice. Early reports from TSN’s Bob McKenzie in December 2014 indicated Boston was the league’s first choice for the game. To make room for the event, Gillette Stadium’s main tenant, the New England Patriots, played their final two 2015 regular-season games on the road. The Bruins debuted a new third jersey for the game, essentially a recreation of their original 1924–25 brown-and-gold sweaters worn at Matthews Arena—which opened in 1910, now on Northeastern University’s campus, and was also the first home of the Boston Celtics and the WHA New England Whalers (now the Carolina Hurricanes). For the Canadiens, this was their first Winter Classic and third outdoor game overall; they had previously played in the 2003 Heritage Classic against the host Edmonton Oilers and the 2011 Heritage Classic against the host Calgary Flames. Montreal also wore a new third jersey, featuring a logo from the 1920s. The two teams have a long history: as of the end of the 2014–15 season, they had met 729 times in the regular season and 177 times in the playoffs, including nine Game Sevens. A special alumni game between the two sides was held on December 31 at Gillette Stadium.
The game produced the most lopsided score in Winter Classic history. Four Montreal players combined for five goals in a 5–1 win. Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher, playing his first game since a hand injury on November 22, notched a goal and an assist. Goalie Mike Condon stopped 27 shots for Montreal. Boston’s only goal came from Adam McQuaid; it was originally credited to Matt Be
- Date
- January 1, 2016
- Venue
- Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Result
- Montreal Canadiens 5, Boston Bruins 1
- Attendance
- Not specified in article
- TV (US)
- NBC
- TV (Canada)
- Sportsnet (English), TVA Sports (French)
Lore & Background
The 2016 Winter Classic was the second appearance for the Bruins, who previously played in the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park. Massachusetts became the first market to serve as repeat host. The Bruins introduced a new third jersey recreating their inaugural 1924–25 season brown/gold sweaters worn at Matthews Arena. The Canadiens made their first Winter Classic appearance and third outdoor game, also debuting a new third jersey with a 1920s logo. To accommodate the event, the New England Patriots played their last two 2015 season games on the road.
Reader's Guide
The 2016 NHL Winter Classic featured the most lopsided score in Winter Classic history, with four Montreal players scoring five goals. Brendan Gallagher, in his first game back from a hand injury, recorded a goal and an assist. Goalie Mike Condon made 27 saves. Adam McQuaid scored the Bruins' only goal, originally credited to Matt Beleskey but later changed after official review. The game had the lowest US television ratings of any Winter Classic to that date, averaging under 3 million viewers. Pregame entertainment included American Authors, the Boston Pops, Simple Plan, Jordan Smith, and Nate Ruess.
Did You Know?
- The 2016 Winter Classic was the eighth edition of the event.
- The Boston Pride and Les Canadiennes played to a 1–1 tie in the first Outdoor Women's Classic.
- Brendan Gallagher recorded a goal and an assist in his first game back from a hand injury.
- The Bruins' goal was originally credited to Matt Beleskey but later changed to Adam McQuaid after official review.
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