NHL to Utilize New Ice-Making Technology for 2025 Stadium Series Game in Miami
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The National Hockey League (NHL) is preparing to host a unique outdoor game at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, on February 15, 2025, as part of the 2025 Stadium Series. https://www.nhl.com/news/2024-stadium-series-dates-locations/ This event presents significant challenges for ice maintenance in a warm-weather climate, leading the NHL to implement a new ice-making system that departs from traditional methods. Instead of relying on glycol-filled boilers, the league will employ mobile cooling units and a layered steam-spraying technique to create and maintain the ice surface.
A Shift in Ice-Making Technology
Traditionally, outdoor NHL games rely on a network of pipes filled with glycol to freeze the ice from below.Though,this method can be complex and less efficient in warmer environments. For the game in Miami, the NHL will utilize two mobile cooling units to regulate the temperature. This approach allows for more precise temperature control and reduces the reliance on extensive piping systems.
According to Derek King, NHL’s Executive Vice president of facilities and Arena Operations, the league will begin creating the ice surface on January 29, 2025, by activating the air conditioning within LoanDepot Park and layering steam onto the cooling units. Ice Thickness and Adjustments
The ice at Amerant Bank Arena, the regular-season home of the Florida Panthers, typically measures between 2.5 and 3.8 centimeters (approximately 1 to 1.5 inches) thick.For the outdoor game at LoanDepot Park, the ice will be slightly thinner, between 2 and 2.5 centimeters (approximately 0.8 to 1 inch). This thinner ice allows for greater flexibility in making adjustments.
King explained that the mobile cooling units will allow the NHL to remove water if needed to sharpen the ice, providing a more responsive surface for the players. This contrasts with the typical process of adding water to build up the ice layer.
Game Day Conditions and Preparations
The game is scheduled for February 15, 2025, and will be played in the evening to take advantage of cooler temperatures. https://www.nhl.com/news/2025-stadium-series-miami-panthers-vs-tampa-bay-lightning/c-347549982 The NHL plans to open the roof of loandepot Park during the game, further emphasizing the outdoor experience.
A dedicated training day will be held for both the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning to allow players to acclimate to the ice conditions and provide the NHL’s ice crew with valuable data for fine-tuning the system. This “training day” serves as a crucial testing period for the cooling units and overall ice maintenance strategy.
Ensuring Optimal Ice Quality
The NHL is confident in its ability to deliver a high-quality ice surface despite the challenging environment. King stated that the focus is on controlling the factors within their power, utilizing the mobile cooling units to make precise adjustments and ensure optimal playing conditions.
“I think the quality will be fantastic,” King said. “It’s obviously a different arena than Amerant Bank is, or any other facility, so we’re doing our best to control what we can actually control.”
The successful implementation of this new ice-making technology will not only ensure a thrilling game for fans but also demonstrate the NHL’s commitment to innovation and adaptability in bringing the sport to new and diverse locations. The lessons learned from this event will likely influence future outdoor game planning, especially in warmer climates.