For the first time ever, the NHL held a regular season hockey game outdoors in the United States.

Sports leagues are like siblings. When everyone is talking about the NFL playoffs, the NHL will do anything it can for attention. It worked.

On New Year's Day, over 71,000 fans showed up to see the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Buffalo Sabres (and see them eff up the Buffalo Bills' stadium by installing an ad-hoc ice skating rink).

Nothing beats pond-hockey nostalgia like watching guys skate in the freezing cold, complete with poetically falling snow and a legion of drunken fans.

Check out the amazing photos after the jump.




Lydia Hearst

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Jamie Korey and Model Lydia Hearst pose at the Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Jamie Korey and Model Lydia Hearst pose at the Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Jamie Korey and Model Lydia Hearst pose at the Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Jamie Korey and model Lydia Hearst pose at the Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Model Lydia Hearst and Sparrow pose at the Jamie Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: (L-R) Model Lydia Hearst, Richie Rich and Jamie Korey pose at Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: (L-R) Model Lydia Hearst, Richie Rich and Jamie Korey pose at Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Model Lydia Hearst and Richie Rich pose at Jamie Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Olivia Palermo, model Lydia Hearst and Marissa Bregman pose at Jamie Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

  • Lydia Hearst

    NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Olivia Palermo, model Lydia Hearst and Marissa Bregman pose at Jamie Korey's 1st Annual Christmas Costume Party at Socialista on December 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Henry/Getty Images)

    Getty Images