TAMPA, Fla. —The climate predicted right here for Sunday can be thought of a catastrophe for vacationing snowbirds.
However for an out of doors hockey sport? It ought to work simply wonderful.
The motif of a winter wonderland might be not what the Nationwide Hockey League was going for at Raymond James Stadium for the sport between the Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, what with the tiki torches lining entrances to the rink for the groups, however the temps are anticipated to dip into the 30s on Sunday night time for the Stadium Collection sport after it was within the 60s on Friday night time.
There may be even a slight likelihood of snow flurries, when you can imagine that.
Judging by the ice situations for the B’s observe, held in a brief air-conditioned tent that will likely be eliminated for the sport, just a little extra chilliness may be smartest thing for all concerned. There have been a few surprising wipeouts, together with one by David Pastrnak, that elicited laughs from teammates. However the hope is that situations will likely be improved for Sunday for a 6:30 p.m. puck drop.
“It’s undoubtedly fairly patchy,” mentioned Charlie McAvoy. “It’s actual smooth, however we’ll see what they will do between tonight and tomorrow. Clearly, we bought it after (the Lightning) practiced on it. I don’t know the way many individuals have skated on it earlier than however, yeah, it’s not nice. However I’m positive they’ve a plan in place to have it nearly as good as they will make it for (Sunday).”
Native Floridian Andrew Peeke took fake umbrage on the ice complaints.
“We’re used to smooth ice, what you imply?” joked the Parkland, Fla. native.
“It’s equal for each groups. Bot groups must play on it. It began off good after which bought just a little uneven on the finish however that’s what you anticipate in a state of affairs like this. However you simply must handle it, be sensible and be easy and let the sport come to you.”
Whereas gamers like Morgan Geekie, who’s from Manitoba, waxed about taking part in on the frozen ponds of Canada, that was not Peeke’s actuality rising up. He was thrilled that his dwelling state has been the epicenter of the hockey world for the previous month.
“It’s fairly distinctive for positive. I can depend on one hand that I performed exterior,” mentioned Peeke. “That is fairly cool for me being from Florida and with the ability to symbolize the state and the way hockey’s grown down right here. Having the ability to have the Winter Traditional in south Florida and the Stadium Collection right here, I feel it’s a giant step for the state on the whole and the way hockey’s rising.”
To not be misplaced within the uniqueness of the setting is the truth that this can be a sport that pits two of the most popular groups within the league in January – the Lightning have been 11-1-1 and the B’s have been 11-2-1 – battling in an ultra-competitive Atlantic Division.
The B’s are within the second wild card spot, whereas the Lightning are in first within the division and Jap Convention however solely 5 factors separate them (the Bolts do have three video games in hand). The B’s, Canadiens and Sabres all had 67 factors going into Saturday’s video games.
“Our division simply doesn’t cease profitable,” mentioned Tampa ahead Brandon Hagel. “There’s not a lot respiratory room.”
The accidents are a part of the story of this sport as properly, for various causes. Tampa is anticipating to get again high defenseman Victor Hedman, who has been out with an elbow harm since early December. The information isn’t nearly as good for the B’s, who will likely be lacking their high two centermen in Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha. Each of whom have been termed day-to-day however didn’t journey with the group.
Marat Khusnutdinov will take Lindholm’s place between Pastrnak and Geekie, whereas Fraser Minten will once more take Zacha’s spot between Viktor Arvidsson and Casey Mittelstadt.
Coach Marco Sturm tweaked his backside six, placing Matt Poitras with Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic, whereas Sean Kuraly centered Mike Eyssimont and Alex Steeves.
“These two guys (Kastelic and Jeannot) are nice veterans, nice leaders and they’re going to maintain him,” mentioned Sturm.
Having 455 kilos of muscle on the ice with him ought to go a great distance in constructing Poitras’ confidence.
“Yeah, you do really feel fairly protected with these guys on the market in your wing,” mentioned Poitras with amusing.
Poitras’ world was turned the other way up. On Wednesday, he was on the point of journey with the Windfall Bruins to Charlotte, the place was to play in entrance of some hundreds followers. On Sunday, he’ll be taking part in in entrance of 60,000.
“Clearly, it’s type of a giant change. It occurred so fast. I used to be packing to go to Charlotte on Wednesday and (assistant GM Evan Gold) referred to as me to say I used to be developing. It was fairly thrilling. Clearly a change of plans. I’m so fortunate to be right here and play on this sport,” he mentioned.
