As the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks found out in Game 3, playing hockey in California in June will make ice conditions problematic.
The puck was bouncing unpredictably throughout Game 3 because of the poor state the ice was in. It’s not really anyone’s fault, but it definitely affects the way each team plays.
“It was like trying to play with a football, [the puck] going everywhere,” said Pens defenseman Ian Cole, per Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blog.
“Ice was … not good. Not the best. I saw the pipes outside when I walked in. I guess they’re trying to get the temperature down, the humidity down. But the ice wasn’t great,”
Although some players admitted that the ice played a factor in the game, others, like Pens captain Sidney Crosby, weren’t making excuses after Game 3.
“Nah, both teams are using the same ice,” said Crosby. “I think that’s to be expected this time of the year. In San Jose, you kind of expect that at this point.”
Now that the Penguins have experienced the ice conditions, it’ll be interesting to see how they adjust in Game 4 on Monday night.