Photos by Kara Vautour

Sam the Minutemen hung out with Pat the Patriot two weeks ago and Friday swapped stories with Wally the Green Monster. Can Blades the Bruin be next?

Toot Cahoon speaks at the press conference.

UMass senior-to-be T.J. Syner is a long-time Sox fan. He got a kick out of the experience.

 The Red Sox dressed up the legendary Green Monster for the announcement.

Mayor Menino hails what he called "the Ice Classic."

 Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna presented Menino and Red Sox exec Sam Kennedy with commemorative jerseys.

 Mascots lining up nicely...

...after an earlier donnybrook.

 Wally, who looks like the offspring of Oscar and Grover, is not the worst quote I've ever encountered

 Sam and the Cat.