Ah, the atmosphere of an outdoor game. Skates hissing on ice, the crack of sticks on pucks, rosy cheeks, white ice, multi-colored trees and knit hats.
There weren’t any snowflakes dancing down on a mild December afternoon Saturday when, for the first time in at least 30 years, the Rangers practiced at Central Park’s Lasker Rink, and thousands of Rangers fans watched from the stands and surrounding terrain.
But there certainly could be a wind-chill factor and a dusting on New Year’s Day, when the Blueshirts face the Buffalo Sabres in the first NHL game at Citi Field and the 10th Winter Classic.