What makes Ice 'bad' in one rink vs. another?
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 9:32 am
So my Blackhawks played Vancouver last night and Ryan Miller is in the media today saying that the ice at the Blackhawks rink was awful and several hawks players over the years have said it's one of the worst in the league. I haven't skated since 1979 so I tell people I can't skate which is true. But I've always wanted to know what would make the ice better or worse at one NHL rink vs. another. Every NHL rink has the same requirements for ice thickness and the ice is cleaned by the Zambonis. So what could cause ice to be better or worse? Is it due to a Zamboni not scraping enough or not putting down enough water on the new layer? When my mite kids play I noticed some of the rinks they are in the ice has large divots after the Zamboni goes over it and it seems to me it needs a 'second coat'. But I really don't know as I don't skate. Interested to hear what others think - thx!