'Perfect for hockey': NHL, NC State leaders discuss ice rink preps ahead of outdoor game at Carter-Finley Stadium
Posted February 14, 2023 7:01 p.m. EST
Updated February 15, 2023 8:38 a.m. EST
Raleigh, N.C. — Saturday is nearly here.
Crews are making final preparations for Saturday’s Stadium Series, which is the outdoor hockey game at Carter-Finley Stadium between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals.
On Monday, NHL Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer and NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan discussed the final steps to put a hockey rink onto the football field.
“We’re on schedule, and we’re looking forward to Saturday,” Mayer said. “It’s going to be a beautiful day. [It will be] perfect for hockey. Perfect.”
WRAL meteorologists say it will be in the lower 40s and clear when the puck drops at 8 p.m. ET Saturday.
"Bring your jacket with you if you're headed out that way," WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell said.
Mayer said there is a 50-50 chance the teams will not practice Friday afternoon on the Carter-Finley ice if there is enough rain earlier in the day so that crews can protect the surface. He said if the rain is significant, the league would move the teams into an indoor facility to practice on Friday.
“We’re keeping our eye on that,” Mayer said.
Tap to watch: Timelapse video of Stadium Series preparations at Carter-Finley Stadium
On Friday, the high temperature in Raleigh will be about 63 degrees. Showers are expected in the morning, but rain should clear out when the Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest gets underway at 11 a.m. Friday in downtown Raleigh.
"A lot of the rain really won't arrive until around midnight or after Thursday night into Friday morning," Campbell said. "It's likely to be a wet morning commute on Friday."
Mayer said this past Sunday’s rain helped crews in building ice.
“A full day of rain when the temperatures are in the range that they were in [Sunday] actually helps us,” Mayer said. “We're trying to build ice.
“We're building a level of ice, and we use the rain to our advantage actually just to build a little more ice up. So, it worked out well, and we see nothing in the forecast coming up that presents a problem at all.”
Tap to watch: NHL Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer and NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan discuss Stadium Series preparations
Mayer said they’re expecting about 57,000 fans during Saturday’s game.
“Game day temperatures look great, actually, perfect,” Mayer said. “We’ve got things on schedule. No problems at all.”
Corrigan explained the significance of the Stadium Series for the branding of North Carolina State University.
“I think it’s important to us,” Corrigan said. “I mean, we are who we are. We’re proud of who we are, and this is a great opportunity for us to share this great university with people that otherwise may not have much interaction.”
Mayer said the NHL would incorporate parts of NC State into Saturday’s festivities, including notable alumni and the marching band.
“That’s part of why it’s so special wherever we go to really celebrate where we’re at and show it off – not only to those who are in the stadium, but those who are watching, not only, remember in the U.S., but around the world,” Mayer said. “This is a global game that is televised around the world, our signature game, these outdoor games, and so, we’ll be proud to show off NC State as well as Carolina Hurricane hockey.”
Corrigan said NC State is not considering adding a Division I men’s hockey team. However, on Monday night, the university’s club hockey team will play the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's club team at Carter-Finley Stadium.
“At the end of it, you’re creating memories,” Corrigan said. “You’re creating memories for young people, and that’s always a win.”
