Option 1:

As Marek laces up his skates ahead of the winter classic game, he feels something in the pit of his stomach that he isnt used to anymore. Throughout his 4 prior seasons hes gotten used to the 66 game schedule - half home and half away, in front of 15-20k fans nightly. But a night game, outdoors, in a stadium of over 40k fans? This is going to be something special.

Carda never played a competitive game outside, especially one with spectators. He did skate on the river some back home in Czechia before the climate shifted so much that it became unsafe, so he knows the feeling- dry air, bitter cold, but exhilarating. The way the wind can shift and give you a boost on the breakaway, but the agony of experiencing that same wind as a backchecker. He looks forward to his old memories and his new reality colliding when he hits that ice.

The opportunity is definitely special for Marek because its unique, breaks up the monotony, and bring sback some of those ancient feelings. He hopes to do it again one day in the future, perhaps next time it will be against the Wolfpack at Fenway park because its a good rival and a legendary stadium - but for now to experience this at home in Philadelphia is quite a treat.