The NHL has unveiled an artist's rendering of what the rink will look like at Heinz Field when the Washington Capitals meet the Pittsburgh Penguins there on New Year's Day, 2011.
Center ice will fall directly on the 50-yard line. One sideline will be emblazoned with "Happy New Year" while the other will feature two large hockey pucks displaying the logos of each team.
The transformation from Steelers football field to Winter Classic rink will begin after the Steelers wrap up their game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23. The nine-day turnaround is the shortest amount of time the NHL has had to prepare an outdoor rink for the annual Winter Classic. Last year the league had three weeks to build the rink at Boston's Fenway Park.
The event at Heinz Field will be the fourth New Year's Day event for the NHL.
When the game ends, the stadium becomes ours, and we go to work,” said Don Renzulli, senior vice president of events for the NHL. “When it’s all done, you’re looking at 150 to 200 people working 12-hour shifts every day.”
When all is said and done, 65,050 fans will fill the ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Trent Reinsmith
NHL Unveils Rendering of Heinz Field Rink for Winter Classic
December 7th, 2010 by Trent Reinsmith Leave a reply »
Advertisement