February 19 2011 Last updated at 04:45 PM ET
CALGARY -- He's not known as a goal scorer, so you would think that the one Steve Staios netted on Nov. 22, 2003 would stand out in his mind. But that isn't what he remembers most about that game."It was really, really cold,'' smiled the Calgary Flames' defenseman, who participated in the first Heritage Classic game between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens. "I remember the same thing as this. There was quite a build up and the fans really took a lot of pride in it in Edmonton. They had a great time and they showed their resilience staying through the whole game under those conditions. It brings back the roots of our game.''
Staois will be taking part in his second National Hockey League Heritage Classic tilt when the Flames and the Canadiens do battle on Sunday in the makeshift rink in the middle of McMahon Stadium.
Some 40,000 hockey fans are expected to brave temperatures in the minus-10 Celsius range, a far cry from the minus-18 which eventually dipped to minus-30 in Edmonton seven years ago.
"Both teams have to deal with it,'' Staios reasoned. "If the ice is good, you'll see a skillful game. If the ice doesn't hold up as well, then it'll start to slow down and get a little chippier. I remember the game in Edmonton, there wasn't a lot of flow, not a lot of plays made. It was more a test of will.
"I think everyone's a professional in here. The dimensions of the ice are still the same; it's still a hockey game. Once you get over the fanfare and the national anthem and all that good stuff the fans deserve and will enjoy, then it's game on.''
David Moss might be the Flames' resident expert on outdoor games as he has taken part in a couple of them. The first was The Cold War between Michigan State and the University of Michigan on Oct. 6, 2001. That game drew 74,544 fans at Spartan Stadium. Then there was the opening game of the 2010 World Championships at VeltinsArena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, where 77,803 faithful flocked to watch Team USA against the home side.
"The one in Germany was a bit different,'' recalled Moss, 29. "I've never seen fans cheer the whole game like that. I'd probably put the Michigan one ahead of it because it was the first one.
"It'll be cold. You'll know you're outside. It's just another game, but you'll feel the elements. The first game in Michigan it was much colder than expected, so guys had a little bit heavier stuff under their equipment. Most guys will change between periods, put something dry on. Especially when you're sitting around in the cold.
"During TV timeouts there will probably be lots of guys crammed around the bench."
"It's a long time ago since I played an outdoor game,'' pitched in Calgary goalie Miikka Kiprusoff. "Hopefully, it's not really cold. We'll try to find something to keep me warm.''
"I'm sure there'll be lots of Montreal fans,'' suggested captain Jarome Iginla. "It's almost like a neutral setting. We prepare for it almost like a road game.''
It may get lost in the hype of this event but, ultimately, the two points to be had are critical. Both the Flames, 68 points, and Habs, 69, are in dogfights for positioning in their respective conferences.
"I think everybody understands that,'' noted Staios. "Everybody here has been through adversity. You have to find a way to get focused and ready to play. This is a great event that you can reflect on post-game or post-season.''
"At the end of the day, it's another two points to put in the bank,'' echoed veteran Brendan Morrison. "We've been a pretty focused group; this isn't going to change our demeanor. When you look back it, you can say 'hey, that was a lot of fun', but it will be much more enjoyable if you win.''
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