BOSTON — The Flyers and Bruins took their first look at Fenway Park — hockey-style — less than one month before the clubs meet in the NHL’s Winter Classic.
The atmosphere was light as players and personnel from both teams were given a guided tour Sunday of the uncompleted rink, the locker room and other facilities.
Fenway Park, the 97-year-old home of baseball’s Boston Red Sox, is in the early stages of being converted to a hockey rink that will host the New Year’s Day game between the two teams.
The Bruins were tourists in their own city, talking about going out to see the Green Monster — Fenway’s famed 37-foot-high wall in left field — and asking a ballpark guide to see the locker of Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz.
“It’s my first time walking on the field or even going to the field,” Bruins forward Shawn Thornton said. “I’m just excited to see the surroundings.”
Other players, such as Bruins rookie goalie Tuukka Rask, had been to Fenway to see the Red Sox, but the field never looked like this. Forward Daniel Paille, acquired early this season by the Bruins, played in the 2008 Winter Classic while with the Sabres.
“It’s huge,” he said. “I played before in Buffalo, and just the atmosphere of everyone screaming, it’s just awesome. It’s an amazing experience.”
As rain fell Sunday, the players on hand joked with one another and the assembled media. They wondered if they could hit the Green Monster with a puck during warm-ups, or if 6-foot-9 Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara, the NHL’s tallest player, would be able to fit through the tunnel leading from the locker rooms to the field.
The Flyers were already in town for tonight’s game against the Bruins, and the pleasant greetings between players didn’t reveal the fierce rivalry that exists between the teams.
