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WASHINGTON - The NHL almost could not have scripted the 2015 Winter Classic any better.From the time the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks took the ice at Nationals Park, through a fly-over by F-16 fighter jets, an Alex Ovechkin goal and the drama of a late winner by Troy Brouwer, Thursdays game was a showcase of top-of-the-line hockey.Its a celebration of our game, Capitals defenceman Matt Niskanen said.It was a celebration of the good and the bad. The only thing that hurt the majesty of the afternoon was a series of late penalty calls that contributed to the Capitals 3-2 victory and left a sour taste in the mouths of Blackhawks players.A questionable hooking penalty on Jonathan Toews in the games final minute paved the way for Brouwers goal with 12.9 seconds left.I dont know how much that play deserved a call there, how much it had to do with maybe us getting a few more opportunities on the power play previously in the game, Toews said. Its not a good feeling especially with the excitement, the hype and the energy that surrounded this whole thing leading up to this game.For more than 55 minutes, this was a game so well played it wouldve been a thriller no matter the setting. Sun played a role on at least one goal, but the ice was so good the teams were able to race up and down like a track meet.Washington waited four years since the Capitals visited the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2011 Winter Classic to host this event. Despite concerns about sun glare, it began on time because captains Ovechkin and Toews and Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford gave the thumbs up during pre-game warm-ups.For us, the primary issue, if there was to be an issue, was player safety, commissioner Gary Bettman said. Once we were comfortable that that wasnt going to be an issue, everyone decided, I decided, it was time to go and play on time.Unlike past Winter Classics, there wasnt a sloppy feeling-out period. Eric Fehr scored on a breakaway early, his third outdoor goal in his second Winter Classic to become the NHLs leader in that category.The teams switched ends at the 10-minute mark of the first period to make it fair given the sun glare. Not long after that, Ovechkin scored on a rebound and Patrick Sharp answered for the Blackhawks on a power-play goal that Braden Holtby couldnt see because of the sun.Even if that goal, and perhaps Brandon Saads in the second period that came after an odd bounce off the end boards, would only have happened outdoors, thats part of the deal in games like this.When the elements werent a factor, the facts of hockey came into play. The Blackhawks got 1:31 of a five-on-three power play in the second period, but Duncan Keiths stick broke at the blue-line and they got zero shots on net in their best chance to take control.The mentality today was just shoot the puck and things happen, but on a five-on-three, its not the same mentality, which probably didnt help us, Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. When you dont score on five-on-threes, you generally dont win and that ended up being the result.A late penalty on Niskanen, a borderline boarding call, gave Chicago another opportunity. There were two seconds left on that power play when Toews got his stick across the body of Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom.I dont really think at any point in the game the refs are looking to give an easy one to a team, Washington defenceman Karl Alzner said. Its bad timing for them, good timing for us.When Saad slashed Ovechkin on the ensuing penalty kill, the puck was free for Brouwer to turn around and fire it past Corey Crawford. It wasnt picturesque, but the former Blackhawks winger will take it.Im not sure where it even went in, but I heard the noise of the crowd, heard the noise of the guys on the ice, Brouwer said. It was one of those where you know the time, you know the score, and youre just trying to get a puck on net, and thankfully it went in.For the Blackhawks, it was hard to take.Regardless of what happens, you never want to lose in the last minute of a game or you never want to be scored on in the last minute of a period, forward Ben Smith said. Its tough to swallow, for sure.Brouwer was playing with a heavy heart 11 days after Clint Reif, an assistant equipment manager for the Blackhawks and a friend, was found dead at his home. Brouwers father, who had a stroke two years ago, was also among the 42,832 in attendance and sent him a congratulatory text message after the goal.The Vancouver product won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010 and scored a late winner during the Capitals memorable playoff series against the Boston Bruins in 2012. This was still special.Ive had some good moments in my hockey career, but this one, with all the intangibles, that played a part in it, Brouwer said. My parents being able to come into town, playing against my former team, this being the first goal that I scored against my former team and the dramatic fashion at the end of the game of how everything played out, its going to be a memorable day, a memorable event.There were plenty of memorable images, including before the game when players entered around a replica of the U.S. Capitol Building and a giant American flag was unfurled on the ice. After the puck was dropped at 1:30 with a perfect temperature of just over six degrees, there was Ovechkin jumping into the glass to celebrate his 18th goal of the season.But by the end, Capitals fans added another by tossing their seat cushions in the air to celebrate Brouwers goal. Its a local tradition that dates back to a Washington Redskins NFL playoff game in 1991 down the street at old RFK Stadium.The Capitals became just the second home team to win a Winter Classic, joining the Bruins, who needed overtime to beat the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2010 event at Fenway Park.You definitely want to win a home game like this, said Fehr, a native of Winkler, Man., who has become something of a Winter Classic hero after scoring twice in the 2011 game. You dont want to let your fans down.Even if Blackhawks fans walked to the exits with their shoulders slumped a bit from a stinging loss, Smith said it was an honour just to be a part of the Winter Classic. Bettman was, as usual, satisfied with how the event turned out, and he had reason to given the level of play.I know they get compared one outdoor game to another: theyre all unique, theyre all different, theyre all special in their own way, Bettman said. I dont know what peoples expectations were for our event here today, but the Winter Classic here in Washington couldnt have been better from a fan experience and an entertainment standpoint.Barry Trotz was coaching his first outdoor game and sure seemed to enjoy the whole experience. That extended to his post-game news conference.Ive got the first question, Trotz said. Did anybody have any fun? Yeah, Im having a lot of fun right now.Notes — Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg left the game in the third period with an upper-body injury and did not return. Quenneville said Versteeg could be out for a bit but said the team would know more Friday. ... Capitals defenceman Brooks Orpik not only played but led the team in ice time (24:44) just three days after suffering what looked to be a scary knee injury. Orpik had been considered a game-time decision. ... Billy Idol performed before the game, Gavin DeGraw during the first intermission and then Lee Greenwood during the second.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter. Cheap Air Max Canada .twitter.com/TeZD3KOvlA — Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 24, 2014 Sorry for the delay, we just got back from lunch at Papa Vons #NBAFastFood pic. Air Max Clearance Canada . But its also a smart game. Theres more to the Kings than banging bodies. They take a toll mentally on their opponents. http://www.cheapairmaxcanada.com/ . -- Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo is going to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Air Max Clearance . I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. Air Max Sale Cheap .com) - The NBA will be on display overseas Thursday with the New York Knicks taking on the Milwaukee Bucks at O2 Arena in London.New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Big wins by Ole Miss and Mississippi State on Saturday boosted those two schools into a tie for third in the latest Associated Press college football poll. Florida State stayed the top-ranked team in the nation following a 43-3 thrashing of Wake Forest, but the Rebels and Bulldogs are making big noise in the poll. Ole Miss, which moved up from No. 11 following a 23-17 victory over then-No. 3 Alabama, has its highest ranking since 1970. The Bulldogs, who climbed from No. 12 after a 48-31 home win over Texas A&M, have attained their highest mark in the poll in school history. The Seminoles received 35 first-place votes and 1,461 points from a nationwide media panel. Auburn, which got 23 first-place votes surged from No. 5 to second with 1,459 points. Auburn throttled LSU, 41-7, on Saturday. Mississippi State got the other two first-place votes and were tied with the Rebels with 1,320 points. Mississippi State has a huge matchup next Saturday at home against Auburn. Baylor moved up two spots to fifth after a 28-7 road victory over Texas. Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan State, TCU and Arizona complete the top-10. Everett Golson threw the go-ahead touchdown pass on fourth down with just over a minute leeft in Notre Dames 17-14 win over Stanford Saturday.dddddddddddd The Spartans, who were 10th last week, nearly blew a huge fourth-quarter lead before holding off Nebraska. TCU surged from No. 25 following its 37-33 upset over then-No. 4 Oklahoma, while Arizona is new to the rankings after a 31-24 victory Thursday at Oregon, which was ranked second. Arizonas jump is the largest ever in the top-25 rankings, which started in 1989. Oklahoma, Oregon, Georgia, Texas A&M and Ohio State are the next five teams in the poll. The Buckeyes moved up five slots after its rout of Maryland. Oklahoma State, Kansas State, UCLA, East Carolina and Arizona State comprise teams 16-20. The Bruins fell from No. 8 after a 30-28 home loss to Utah. By virtue of their win, the Utes moved into the poll at No. 24. Nebraska is No. 21, followed by new entry Georgia Tech, and Missouri. Stanford dropped 11 spots to No. 25. Next weeks schedule features five matchups of ranked teams. Three come from the powerhouse SEC. Aside from the Auburn-Mississippi State matchup, Ole Miss plays at Texas A&M, and Georgia plays at Missouri. Also, Baylor hosts TCU in a 5 vs. 9 matchup, and UCLA welcomes Oregon. Florida State aims for its 22nd straight win with a game at Syracuse. 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