San Jose Sharks fans are rallying outside the SAP Center before Monday’s home game against the Los Angeles Kings despite the hot weather.
The Sharks took a 2-0 lead in the series down south despite a heat wave that made it tough to keep the ice rink frozen.
Monday’s hot weather has been a concern for the Sharks, but the team was ready for it.
"When there's concerts going on, basketball games, things going in and out of arenas, the ice is never gonna be 'absolutely perfect,’” San Jose Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon said. “I think you can't use that as an excuse because there's two teams. So if one is saying that it's really bad and the other says it's okay, well, there's a problem. It's the same ice for both teams."
The Sharks organization acknowledges hot weather can cause problems with the ice, so, last month, the team made changes to the arena, including a new cooling system.
"In preparation for the playoffs, we brought in new 'dehumidification' systems for March, April and if we go on into May and June to keep the building less moist, less humid during the course of the day. We also lowered the temperature in the building so if you're feeling a bit chilly right now, there's a reason for that,” Sharks CEO John Tortora said.
Fans plan to help as well.
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"I'm sure the fans are gonna give LA the 'cold shoulder' so we'll be fine,” said Sharks fan Ursella Brenneise.
#SJSharks use huge 'humidification' system to protect arena ice from hot weather for game vs LA. 6pm news pic.twitter.com/iUdIHMD4BV — RobertHanda (@RHandaNBC) April 19, 2016
