Blues have all the fun in convincing victory over the Blackhawks in the Winter Classic

CHICAGO (AP) — St. Louis coach Jim Montgomery walked around before Tuesday night's Winter Classic. He looked at the growing crowd soaking in the festive atmosphere. He thought about all the famous ballplayers who played at Wrigley Field.

“And here we are getting to play an NHL hockey game,” Montgomery said. “It's just really cool.”

The Winter Classic returned to Wrigley on the final day of 2024, and the Chicago Blackhawks threw quite a party. Fireworks streaked through the night sky at the home of baseball's Chicago Cubs. The Smashing Pumpkins and Chance the Rapper performed, and actors Bill Murray and Jon Hamm got a big ovation when they were shown on a videoboard during the third period.

It was a very Chicago party, and St. Louis had all the fun. The Blues rolled to a 6-2 victory over the Blackhawks in front of a crowd of 40,933, improving to 3-0 in the Winter Classic.

“This was an amazing experience for the fans and just for us, too," St. Louis captain Brayden Schenn said. “Having family and friends here to experience something like that at Wrigley Field, an amazing thing, and then winning on top of it.”

Just a couple weeks after he was acquired by St. Louis in a trade with Anaheim, Cam Fowler celebrated his 1,000th NHL game with two goals. The 33-year-old defenseman became the first player in NHL history to skate outdoors for his 1,000th game.

The night — the confluence of events that put Fowler in that moment after spending his entire career with the Ducks — was “pretty surreal,” he said.

“Going through a lot of emotions the last few weeks getting adjusted to a new team,” he said. “But couldn't have asked for anything more for this experience, getting to share it with my family. ... It was an awesome night for all of us.”

Not so much for the lowly Blackhawks. It was a much different scene in the home clubhouse, where Chicago was searching for answers after its fifth consecutive loss.

Backed by the majority of a raucous crowd, the Blackhawks got off to a slow start and the Blues pulled away with three goals in the second period. There were loud chants of “Let's go Blues!” in the final seconds of the game.

“You know, those tickets aren’t cheap for them to come and support us,” Chicago forward Connor Bedard said. “We, obviously, in our room are disappointed with ourselves. But I feel bad for our fan base coming out to this and we kind of lay an egg.”

The day began with Bedard and the Blackhawks — carrying their sticks and skates and dressed in custom “Team Chicago” gear — using one of the city's famed elevated trains to travel to Wrigley.

The team's pregame apparel was designed to highlight the connection between the franchise and the city. The clothes had patches paying tribute to Chicago’s first responders, and each player picked a charitable or community-based organization for their hat.

“It’s a neat thing to bring our community together, right?” captain Nick Foligno said. “And one of the big things we talked about was our first responders, too, and what they mean to our community and what they do for us. And we wanted to kind of highlight that and also highlight what means a lot to us.”

St. Louis dressed in gray sweatshirts and hats for its bus trip to the ballpark. The hats had 99 on the front and the shirts had a round emblem with 99 and GRETZKY'S BASEMENT — a nod to the hockey school connected to Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky.

“We just thought it would be a great opportunity to honor Wayne and everything he’s done for the game," Blues defenseman Justin Faulk said. "He’s obviously an integral part in St. Louis, too. He’s done a lot for the community there and still does, and he’s great to everyone in the organization and the guys and we thought there’s no better way to show our appreciation than to do this today for him.”

The Blues occupied the visitor's clubhouse at Wrigley, which meant they had to navigate a long stairway on their way to and from the ice. Like they usually do when they play outdoors, they made the most of the situation.

“Just had to take your time,” goaltender Jordan Binnington said with a grin. “It kind of helped me focus for the game. Just one step at a time. We talk about that a lot and I was really taking it one step at a time because I did not want to go down.”

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Fans watch pregame entertainment in the rain before the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

St. Louis Blues center Dylan Holloway (81) warms up before the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

The Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues warm up before the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Fireworks explode during the Star-Spangled Banner before the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

A St. Louis Blues fan watches the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

The Smashing Pumpkins perform before the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks national anthem singer Jim Cornelison sings the Star-Spangled banner before the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno (17) takes the ice for the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

The zamboni clears the ice before the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

The Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues face off at center ice during the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Fans sit underneath the scoreboard before NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard reacts as the St. Louis Blues score during the second period of the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks fans boo St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) as Schenn leaves the ice after getting a five-minute major for fighting with Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno (not shown) during the second period of the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn leaves the ice after getting a five-minute major for fighting with Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno during the second period of the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Officials break up a fight between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

St. Louis Blues fans celebrate after the team's win over the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, left, celebrates with fans after his team's win over the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Fans watch the third period of the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues from the bleachers at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Fans celebrate after a goal by the Chicago Blackhawks against the St. Louis Blues during the third period of the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Fans hang outside of Murphy's Bleachers before the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Fans hang outside of Wrigley Field before the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks Danny Wirtz arrives for the the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game between the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier arrives for the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel, left, and left wing Patrick Maroon arrive with the team for the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

The Chicago Blackhawks arrive for the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game between the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar arrives for the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel, left, and left wing Patrick Maroon arrive with the team for the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

JERUSALEM (AP) — Over two dozen families from one of the few remaining Palestinian Bedouin villages in the central West Bank have packed up and fled their homes in recent days, saying harassment by Jewish settlers living in unauthorized outposts nearby has grown unbearable.

The village, Ras Ein el-Auja, was originally home to some 700 people from more than 100 families that have lived there for decades.

Twenty-six families already left on Thursday, scattering across the territory in search of safer ground, say rights groups. Several other families were packing up and leaving on Sunday.

“We have been suffering greatly from the settlers. Every day, they come on foot, or on tractors, or on horseback with their sheep into our homes. They enter people’s homes daily,” said Nayef Zayed, a resident, as neighbors took down sheep pens and tin structures.

Israel's military and the local settler governing body in the area did not respond to requests for comment.

Other residents pledged to stay put for the time being. That makes them some of the last Palestinians left in the area, said Sarit Michaeli, international director at B’Tselem, an Israeli rights group helping the residents.

She said that mounting settler violence has already emptied neighboring Palestinian hamlets in the dusty corridor of land stretching from Ramallah in the West to Jericho, along the Jordanian border, in the east.

The area is part of the 60% of the West Bank that has remained under full Israeli control under interim peace accords signed in the 1990s. Since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in October 2023, over 2,000 Palestinians — at least 44 entire communities — have been expelled by settler violence in the area, B'Tselem says.

The turning point for the village came in December, when settlers put up an outpost about 50 meters (yards) from Palestinian homes on the northwestern flank of the village, said Michaeli and Sam Stein, an activist who has been living in the village for a month.

Settlers strolled easily through the village at night. Sheep and laundry went missing. International activists had to begin escorting children to school to keep them safe.

“The settlers attack us day and night, they have displaced us, they harass us in every way” said Eyad Isaac, another resident. “They intimidate the children and women.”

Michaeli said she’s witnessed settlers walk around the village at night, going into homes to film women and children and tampering with the village’s electricity.

The residents said they call the police frequently to ask for help — but it seldom arrives. Settlement expansion has been promoted by successive Israeli governments over nearly six decades. But Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, which has placed settler leaders in senior positions, has made it a top priority.

That growth has been accompanied by a spike in settler violence, much of it carried out by residents of unauthorized outposts. These outposts often begin with small farms or shepherding that are used to seize land, say Palestinians and anti-settlement activists. United Nations officials warn the trend is changing the map of the West Bank, entrenching Israeli presence in the area.

Some 500,000 Israelis have settled in the West Bank since Israel captured the territory, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war. Their presence is viewed by most of the international community as illegal and a major obstacle to peace. The Palestinians seek all three areas for a future state.

For now, displaced families of the village have dispersed between other villages near the city of Jericho and near Hebron further south, said residents. Some sold their sheep and are trying to move into the cities.

Others are just dismantling their structures without knowing where to go.

"Where will we go? There’s nowhere. We’re scattered,” said Zayed, the resident, “People’s situation is bad. Very bad.”

An Israeli settler herds his flock near his outpost beside the Palestinian village of Ras Ein al-Auja in the West Bank, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

A Palestinian resident of Ras Ein al-Auja village, West Bank burns trash, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Palestinian children play in the West Bank village of Ras Ein al-Auja, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Palestinian residents of Ras Ein al-Auja village, West Bank pack up their belongings and prepare to leave their homes after deciding to flee mounting settler violence, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Palestinian residents of Ras Ein al-Auja village, West Bank pack up their belongings and prepare to leave their homes after deciding to flee mounting settler violence, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)