Fans of Bruins, Penguins enjoy atmosphere at 2023 Winter Classic Plaza

BOSTON -- Among all the tents filled with food and activities open to fans at the 2023 Winter Classic Plaza outside Boston City Hall on Friday, one stood out in particular.

Fans had the chance to test their accuracy by shooting pucks into a laundry machine, just like Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby infamously did as a child growing up in Nova Scotia.
Pittsburgh-area native Carly Heller appreciated the Penguins ties at an event hosted by the Boston Bruins.
"When you think of Sidney Crosby, like the things he does with so many superstitions and everything, that washing machine is forever engrained," Heller said. "It's really cool how they brought something like that because, you know, he's one of the greatest players of all-time."
Heller and her boyfriend, Billy Cook, were two Penguins fans in a sea of Bruins supporters taking in the plaza while gearing up for the outdoor showdown between the teams in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park on Monday (2 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS).
"It's a two-team game," Cook said, sporting an authentic Evgeni Malkin 2011 Winter Classic jersey. "I think it really shows they're] trying to get both cities involved here."
***[RELATED: [2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic coverage]*
The food tent also paid homage to the participating cities, with fans able to choose between Pittsburgh pierogies, clam chowder and lobster rolls. For a Fenway Park spin, there were Fenway Franks and sausages, along with popcorn and Cracker Jack.
An Upper Deck-sponsored tent allowed fans to take photos that were turned into personalized trading cards, and a Hockey Fights Cancer tent had a photo op with images of Crosby and Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron behind an NHL bench.
Other games available to play included a 12-by-24-foot oversized air hockey table and a puck Plinko game to win prizes.

The games, prizes and music set up a family-friendly atmosphere that local Bruins fans James and Melissa Welsh appreciated with their children, Jane and Jack.
"That's what provoked us to come to this," James Welsh said. "I was 40 [when the Bruins hosted the Winter Classic at Fenway Park in 2010]. Melissa and I wouldn't come [to this type of event], but with the kids? Yeah, it's been a blast."
Jane got her jersey autographed by former Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, and Jack got an autograph meet-and-greet with Boston forward Trent Frederic.
Rask, Frederic, Bruins forward Charlie Coyle and Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque were available in autograph tents at different points throughout the afternoon.
"It's been fun," Frederic said. "It's been a really good turnout, and everyone's been nice."
With the temperature eclipsing 60 degrees, the weather was uncharacteristically warm to make the afternoon even more enjoyable for those in attendance. But those feelings of relaxation are poised to turn to tension come Monday.
"Let's face it, as soon as that puck drops at 2 p.m. on Monday, there's not going to be any relaxing," Cook said. "Everyone's going to be at the edge of their seat. Everyone's going to be so excited to see another hockey game at Fenway Park."