People always ask me about the ice hockey rinks and how they work. For example, how is the ice white and not clear, thickness, how much water does it take etc. This is a huge topic so I decided to just focus today's blog on the "ice" of a hockey rink.
It's easy to overlook the surface that makes indoor ice hockey possible. The quality of the ice surface makes a huge difference especially at the highest levels of competition. Forming a good skating surface isn't simple like making ice cubes. Preparing and freezing a rink properly happens in no less than a dozen stages, with some stages laying ice as thin as 1/32 of an inch. Some of the layers require paint to create the background plus the process to provide clear markings in order to play hockey.
Oxygen is what gives an ice cube its cloudy core, too much of it softens ice, making skate blades sink. Layers of ice create strength and density. The first layer is the "bonding layer" which freezes almost immediately after being sprayed on the frozen concrete base. The second layer is painted bright white which allows for a strong contrast between the black hockey puck and ice. Lines and logos are all placed in the first eighth of an inch.
Making an ice rink isn't as simple as flooding the floor with gallons of water. The crew must apply the water carefully and slowly, in order to insure ideal thickness. An ice surface that is too thick requires more energy to keep frozen and is prone to getting soft on the top. A surface that is too thin is also dangerous because skaters risk cutting straight through the ice. It takes between 12,000 and 15,000 gallons to form a hockey rink surface.
Next episode....ice resurfacing...The Zamboni!
No comments:
Post a Comment