The Pittsburgh Penguins have defeated the host Buffalo Sabres with a 2-1 shootout victory in the first regular season National Hockey League game played outdoors in the United States.
Sidney Crosby scored the shootout winner Tuesday in a game called the Winter Classic. About 70,000 fans braved freezing wind and snow at Ralph Wilson Stadium, usually home to the National Football League's Buffalo Bills. Play was stopped several times so the iced playing surface could be cleared of accumulating snow and sleet.
Colby Armstrong put Pittsburgh on the scoreboard first with an assist by Crosby just 21 seconds into the first period. Brian Campbell tied the game for Buffalo early in the second period. The game remained deadlocked through the end of regulation and overtime.
After slipping behind early in the shootout, Pittsburgh prevailed on the final shot by Crosby.
The only other NHL game played outdoors was the "Heritage Classic" in 2003, when the Edmonton Oilers beat the Montreal Canadiens, 2-0, at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.