Expectations for the quality of the ice at the newly constructed rink were low, given the well-known poor condition of the turf field at MetLife Stadium.
However, the opinion within the Rangers locker room was that they had a pleasant surprise.
“It was fun,” Mika Zibanejad said after the Blueshirts completed their only outdoor practice Friday ahead of Sunday’s Stadium Series against the Islanders. “I went blind for the first few minutes, so I think all the bad passes were because of that. But no, it was good. It was better than I expected. They did a good job. ”
With no ice issues to worry about, the Rangers were able to go about business as usual as the sun set on Friday. The only difference from the Rangers session was the backdrop, as head coach Peter Laviolette’s style rarely involves light practice.
Afterwards, the Rangers not only were able to enjoy extra time on the ice with their families, but they also took time to enjoy it all.
“It feels special. It’s special after practice and games because you’re outside,” said Artemi Panarin, who answered questions with his son sitting on his lap. “Feel a different sensation. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Panarin, who spent much of his childhood skating outside, said such an environment feels right at home. He said his favorite part of outdoor games is watching the planes fly over the stadium during the national anthem.
Panarin just wished she had ordered the skates in time so her son could actually skate after practice.
Several Rangers players will play in their first outdoor game in the NHL on Sunday, including Vincent Trocheck, who played in the much warmer climates of Florida and Carolina before coming to New York.
“This is going to be cool,” Trocheck said. His only outdoor skating experience was at his father’s backyard rink in Pittsburgh. “I mean, it was just a cool experience to walk there. It’s not something you do every day.”
Matt Lempe, recalled from Hartford for the second time this season due to Blake Wheeler’s season-ending injury, skated on the fourth line along with Barclay Goodrow and Adam Edstrom.
All signs point to Rempe making his NHL debut on Sunday, which would make the 6-foot-8 forward skating in the first outdoor NHL game in league history. His family will also be coming to watch him play.
“It’s crazy,” Lempe said. Jacob Trouba told him before the Flames game that he got on the rookie lap, but ended up getting hurt. “You won’t believe it.”
Tyler Pitlick made his Wolfpack debut Friday night against the Laval Rocket in Hartford after clearing NHL waivers.
It was Pitlick’s first AHL contest since the 2015-16 season.
He skated on the right wing of the second line along with Bobby Trivigno and Artem Anisimov.
