CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago's weather is being monitored closely by the National Hockey League. The NHL's Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings will be held at Wrigley Field on New Year's Day.

Don Renzulli of the NHL says efforts to ready the rink for Thursday's game are going smoothly. But weather-related flight delays kept some staff from getting to Chicago on schedule. He says crews can catch up.

The suddenly shifting weather caused at least one mix-up. Renzulli says 300 people cleaned snow out of the stadium Friday. Who knew rain would wash snow away on Saturday?

Attendance of more than 40,000 is expected with the defending and 11-time Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings facing the hottest team in the NHL this season, the Blackhawks.