The breathtaking backdrop of Lake Tahoe couldn’t compensate for the poor ice conditions that caused an over eight-hour delay during the outdoor game between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche.
The NHL halted the game Saturday afternoon due to the bright sun and temperatures hovering near freezing. This led to the ice becoming unstable, with players and officials frequently slipping due to holes forming on the surface. The game, which started at 12:55 p.m. PST, resumed 8 hours and 7 minutes later, at 9:02 p.m. PST, with Colorado holding a 1-0 lead. The Avalanche eventually won 3-2.
“We’ve hosted over 30 outdoor games, and this has been the toughest weather situation we’ve faced,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman during an NBC broadcast. “It’s a beautiful day, but the sun, which stayed out despite surrounding cloud cover, made the ice conditions difficult.”
After the first period, the decision to pause the game came after discussions with the players’ union. While some players wanted to continue, others raised safety concerns, ultimately leading to the decision to delay.
“There were some big chunks of ice coming out, down to the cement,” said Vegas defenseman Alec Martinez. “That’s dangerous, and we didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Despite the scenic setting on the 18th golf course fairway, with snow-capped mountains framing Lake Tahoe, the sun wreaked havoc on the ice, making it difficult for the players to skate safely. Workers covered the ice as soon as the game was paused and only removed it when the sun went down.
“Sunshine has always been our enemy in these outdoor games,” Bettman added. “We’ve played in rain and snow before, but this was different.”
The teams returned to finish the game under the lights, with significantly improved ice conditions. Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said, “The ice was much better tonight. We were ready to play and, luckily, got it done.”
Despite the challenges, Bettman reaffirmed the NHL’s commitment to outdoor games, including those in unconventional venues like Lake Tahoe.
“This game brought hockey back to its roots, surrounded by nature. It’s something special for the fans and players,” said Bettman. “We’ll keep doing this, knowing that outdoor conditions can sometimes affect the game. You can’t succeed without taking risks.”
In light of Saturday’s challenges, the NHL announced that Sunday’s game between Boston and Philadelphia would be postponed by more than five hours to avoid the bright sun that impacted the earlier game. Initially scheduled for noon, the game will now start at 4:30 p.m. PST.
The time change also led to adjustments in the TV schedule. The Devils-Capitals game was moved to 2 p.m. EST on NBC, and the Lake Tahoe game was shifted to NBCSN.
Due to the ice conditions, both the Bruins and Flyers were unable to practice on the specially built outdoor rink prior to the Vegas-Colorado game and instead practiced at a local indoor rink.
“In hockey, you have to adapt to whatever comes your way,” said Flyers coach Alain Vigneault.
