VOORHEES, N.J. -- He grew up as a youngster in Judique, Nova Scotia, as a Toronto Blue Jays fan even though the Boston Red Sox were closer geographically.
"My brother was the Red Sox fan," Andrew MacDonald said.
While hockey was his passion, MacDonald loved to watch baseball. Joe Carter's walk-off home run in the 1993 World Series clinched it for Mac, then a 7-year-old.
"Didn't see it for a while though because we only had two TV channels," MacDonald laughed.
"Yeah, I was Blue Jays fan from Canada."
On Saturday, the Flyers visit Heinz Field for an outdoor game against their most bitter rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 Stadium Series.
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MacDonald was a starter for the Islanders during the 2014 Stadium Series game held at the new Yankee Stadium against the Rangers. He likes outdoor games in baseball stadiums even though that is not where this game will take place.
"When I had been to New York, I had gone to a few Yankee games at Yankee Stadium," MacDonald said. "Obviously, I got to take in the experience of being a fan there. It's a pretty great stadium. To be on the field, although it's a different sport and setting, it was pretty special."
Michal Neuvirth was the backup goalie for Washington in the 2011 Winter Classic held at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
"It's just as big as if you played inside for two points," Neuvirth said. "I just backed up that game there but it was awesome. The big crowd and we won the game with Washington. A good feeling afterward."
MacDonald said his experience at Yankee Stadium was similar.
"It was great," he said of the Bronx affair. "Not everyone gets to play in one of those games, so it was special. Just being in that outdoor environment and the capacity of the crowd. Really like a center stage, special experience."
In both previous Winter Classics involving the Flyers, they were held in baseball stadiums -- Fenway Park in 2010 and Citizens Bank Park two years later. Incidentally, Claude Giroux is the only Flyer to have played in both of the franchise's two Winter Classics.
This "Stadium Series" game will offer a different "look" for players and fans because it occurs in the Steelers' football stadium.
"Obviously, the setup of the ice surface will be right in the middle of the field as a rectangular field as opposed to baseball where it's kinda on a different angle," MacDonald said.
"It's good. We'll get a good skate in. A family skate. Yeah, I hope [weather cooperates]. It might not be the best ice, but hopefully, it goes according to plan and go off without a hitch."
Hot temperatures Friday followed by heavy rain on Saturday could make things difficult.
"Tough to say as to what to expect," said Neuvirth, who will start in goal. "For me, I am going to prepare myself for 8 o'clock and play my game."
The most unusual thing players say that affects them during outdoor games is not having fans on the glass. They're far away in the stands.
Yet in a baseball stadium, some of those fans are a lot closer to the ice than the setup in a football stadium.
"Yeah, it was kinda unique and took a while to get used to," MacDonald said. "There's no fans on the glass. You are kinda isolated by yourself there on the middle of the field.
"It's not until the TV timeout where you can look around and take it all in. It's almost has a practice type mentality when you are first on the ice and then you get acclimated.
"Obviously, once the puck drops you are ready to go and know what to do. It's definitely a unique experience once you get going."
When he play at Fenway Park as a freshman at Union College, Shayne Gostisbehere said his only regret was not taking time out to just stop and absorb what was happening around him.
He was so focused on the game against Harvard that day in 2012, he forget to cherish the moment.
MacDonald said that is something NHL players sometimes forget to do, as well. Take it all in because it night never occur again.
"Everyone is a little different," he said. "You do have to play it as if it's like every other game. There is a little adjustment period there with the fans so far away.
"That being said, you have an opportunity to embrace the moment. At the same time, you have to focus on what we're trying to accomplish out there. Try to get the win like any other time."
