Thousands of hockey fans will descend upon Philadelphia this weekend to experience the 2012 NHL Winter Classic. The annual outdoor hockey game has become one of the most celebrated spectacles in the sport’s grueling season.

This year, the Philadelphia Flyers will host the New York Rangers at Citizens Bank Ballpark, regularly home to Major League Baseball’s Philadelphia Phillies.

On Wednesday night, New York City’s Empire State Building will feature special lighting to celebrate the upcoming game. Though most of New York will be pulling for the Rangers, both teams will be honored by the iconic structure.

Ranger blue and red will light up the building’s East and West sides while the Flyers’ orange and white take over the North and South sides (facing Philadelphia).

The puck is set to drop on Monday, January 2 at 1:00 PM (EST). If you haven’t scored a ticket, you can follow all the action live on NBC.

Who will you be rooting for? Let us know in a comment!

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Source: New York Daily News

CC Flickr photo credit: David Boyle