This year’s NHL Winter Classic will feature the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens facing off at Gillette Stadium, which typically plays host to New England Patriots games. Though the Patriots won’t be taking the field at Gillette this week, their presence will be felt during the hockey game on New Year’s Day.
The goalies from both sides have had custom masks made to don for the special outdoor game, and this year’s batch of headwear is heavily influenced by the Pats. Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon was the first to release his mask, which features Bill Belichick and the Patriots’ four Lombardi Trophies on the back of his headpiece.
Condon putting Bill Belichick on the back of his Habs mask gives me all kinds of confused feelings pic.twitter.com/Tg4eJD9U2J
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 30, 2015
Normally it would be an odd choice, considering Montreal is Boston’s biggest hockey rival, but Condon hails from Needham, Massachusetts, and grew up a Patriots fan. You certainly can’t blame him for embracing his football fandom, considering the venue.
But while Condon’s mask had a nice subtle nod to the Belichick’s Patriots, he was outdone by Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, who went with a much bolder approach.
#NHLBruins #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/2lUYZqfO1J
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 31, 2015
Yup, that’s Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Stephen Gostkowski featured prominently on the sides of Rask’s mask.
In addition to the Patriots love, Rask’s mask also pays homage to the old Boston Garden, which is pretty cool.
Tuukka Rask #WinterClassic mask painted by @Sylabrush take look @ https://t.co/sZAy09WX1J @DaleEArnold @BJaffe @NESN pic.twitter.com/hJRpO9BB97
— Pros Choice (@Progoalie) December 31, 2015
