It's Really Happening: Outdoor Hockey Comes to California
While those of us on the east coast are getting walloped with another big snow storm, hockey fans on the west coast are thinking about ice. The LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks meet for the first Stadium Series game ever on Saturday. And the question on everyone's mind is: How can anyone play an outdoor hockey game in southern California?
The first thing you need to do is turn Dodger Stadium into an ice rink. And that's exactly what crews did last week as the league began preparing for the game. The MLB Fan Cave posted a pretty cool video of the process. Check it out:
Even though this game has been on the schedule for months, it always felt like it was some sort of gag. "Let's see how many people actually believe we'll play hockey outside in LA!" But it is real. And it's really weird. Meteorologists are predicting a temperature as high as 79 degrees on Saturday. Water freezes at 32 degrees, so the playing surface should be… interesting. And potentially dangerous for players.
For its part, the NHL says not to worry. The league's caravan of ice machines will ensure that the rink remains frozen at a chilly 22 degrees. Still, what happens if a piece of equipment fails? Or it rains? Or it stays really warm? There are lots of questions surrounding this game, which at the very least makes it the most experimental Stadium Series matchup.
What do you think about playing an outdoor hockey game in Los Angeles? Is it a good or bad idea? Why? Let us know in the comments section below!
Photo: Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images
