Avs use altitude, Leafs use heating (update)

Here's the comment from our friend, admin at Leafs forum and big Ovechkin's fan:

Ovi wasn't kidding when he talked about the arena being so hot. Leafs players have been complaining about it forever.


Ovi before the game: I can't breathe here... (Empty Netters photo)


The players were told that the people in the gold seats (who aren't actually fans, they're corporate seats) were "cold" so they bumped up the heat.

The Verizon I could see getting warm from all the fans cheering and going crazy... a lot of hot air, but this is not the case at the ACC... insane, I know, but it's true.

~ beergirl

Update:
Thanks to beergirl for interesting links!

The Star, "ACC getting upgraded playing surface after complaints from players":

Peddie said that while the ice making equipment is top notch and the employees excel at using it, the problem is the warm temperatures and humidity in the building. Last season, the club tried dropping the temperature in the ACC by about three degrees to about 13 or 14C. It helped but, as Peddie pointed out, "it was really unpleasant for the fans."

The Star, "ACC to install Fast Ice system":

After six years of complaints about the slow, choppy ice in their home rink, the Maple Leafs hope to get a step ahead with modern science.

Practice at the Air Canada Centre was halted yesterday to let building personnel tell the players and coach Pat Quinn about Fast Ice, a new system designed to improve one of the most difficult rinks to maintain in the National Hockey League. Basically, it's chemically treated water that is laid down in a mist as opposed to straight flooding.

"It hardens quicker," said Bob Hunter, general manager of the ACC. "We think it's going to make a difference."

Dallas, Tampa and Chicago, three warm-weather NHL cities, are using Fast Ice now, but the ACC crew will have to go a long way to win over a skeptic such as Wade Belak. The forward/defenceman has heard promises before that better ice is on the way and summed up current conditions with a four-letter expletive.

"We're the ones who have to hear about it when we're trying to chase down a puck and it's bouncing all over the ice and guys beat us to the net for a scoring chance," Belak said.

"Three years ago, they said they were going to lower the temperature of the concrete under the ice pad. We had good ice for four games, but it made the building a little cooler and of course everyone in the (lower bowl) platinums complained. They have to remember they're going to a hockey game, not the beach. I think if you can afford a platinum, you can afford to bring a jacket."

"Fast Ice" or not, it can't help if someone wants to turn up the temperature.




Ovechkin's 16th goal of the season:

TORONTO - NOVEMBER 21: Nikolai Kulemin #41 of the Toronto Maple Leafs tries to block the shot of Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals during game action November 21, 2009 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

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