The National Hockey League announced on Friday afternoon that the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will move from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m ET on Saturday night.
The decision to move the game back was based on the latest meteorological reports, which show an approaching front of potentially steady rain expected to fall through the afternoon and taper off by early evening.
As a result of the rain, there are a number of weather-related game procedure contingencies for the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
Below is the entire list:
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.
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 Heinz
Field immediately after regulation play has been stopped. If weather
conditions make it impossible to conduct a shootout safely at Heinz Field,
the shootout will take place at Verizon Center on Sunday, February 6 prior
to the regularly scheduled Pittsburgh-Washington game.
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 Heinz Field on Sunday, January 2, beginning at 12
p.m. (ET). If the game cannot be replayed at Heinz Field on January 2, it
will be rescheduled at CONSOL Energy Center for a date to be determined
later in the season.