Pittsburgh (93-7 The FAN) – Play-by-play announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick will be calling the Winter Classic for NBC.

Emrick explains what the real concern is with the rain falling on the ice. He said, as the rain falls it immediately freezes and “pebbles on the ice.” Those pebbles are like marbles on a hardwood floor and makes the footing less secure, which slows down the game.

Emrick who has been the voice of the game since its inception, tells the Fan Morning show the reasons why this game has become so popular beyond the average hockey fan.

As the forecast for Saturday’s game calls for 50 degree temperatures and rain, Emrick said, the league will make decisions leading up to the game in time for fans to adjust accordingly.