Dan Steinberg points out today on D.C. Sports Bog, that poor ice conditions have long plagued the rinks the Washington Capitals call home.
The Post had an article, Condition of Home Ice Drawing Fire From Caps, about it today as well.
Players and officials rate the ice after each game, but Craig would not divulge the marks Verizon Center’s ice has received. He did, however, say that the ice has been better since his visit to Washington in the fall before acknowledging that the challenge of producing good ice consistently will increase as spring approaches. Craig said he will recommend the Capitals bring in dehumidifiers in the playoffs.
Why wait for the playoffs?
Capitals owner Ted Leonsis addressed the situation on his blog and says they are trying to solve it.
Ultimately, there are probably limits to how much of the problem they can solve as long as Verizon Center is controlled by Washington Sports & Entertainment, Abe Pollin, majority owner. Pollin is not exactly loved by Capitals fans, even though brought the Capitals here as an expansion team. The Capitals are simply not the priority and even if/when Leonsis buys the rest of WS&E, how much can he do since Verizon Center is a multi-sport arena. In the meantime, hopefully the Caps can keep playing through it and try to let the conditions get into their opponents heads. Perhaps they already have, given the robust 22-4-1 home record.
Also see: Contentious conditions – The Wash. Times
On Frozen Blog (in general, the ice conditions are a frequent topic)
