There are so many things that you need to think about when planning an NHL hockey trip – from the best place to watch the game to making sure you have enough warm clothes and gear. One of the things that you should consider is the size of the rink where you will be watching the game. There are actually a few different sizes of rinks that you have to think about, so let’s take a quick look at what they are and how big they are compared to each other.
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Stadium Rink
This is the traditional style of hockey rink, with metal bleachers on the sides and a center-hung scoreboard above the ice. The seats are covered so that people can’t really see the game, but instead, focus on the ice and the players. There are a few drawbacks to this style of rink. The first is that there are not that many places that they are being built, so if you want to go to a game, you might have to travel a bit to find one. The other downside is that they can be really loud, especially when there is a thunderous noise coming from the crowds in the nearby metro areas. The good thing about this style of rink is that it is easy to maintain. The ice can be rolled up after each period, and the stadium seats can be removed to clean the ice and the stadium. This creates no extra work for the ice crew or the stadium staff.
Concrete Rink
This type of rink is made of concrete. The stands are not on the side but instead, wrap around the whole rink. There is a scoreboard in the center that functions as a face-off dot or face-off circle. The seats are not covered and are therefore more exposed to the cold. This makes this style of rink perfect for autumn and winter games. The drawback is that they can be really difficult to maintain. The ice has to be resurfaced and refinished at least once a week, and the whole thing will start looking like an abandoned concrete bunker if the work is not being done properly. This kind of rink is good for larger cities and metropolitan areas where there is a lot of pavement and not a lot of parks for the players and fans to enjoy the game in. The good thing about concrete rinks is that they can handle heavy snowfall and can keep the ice frozen for a really long time.
Rocking The Rink
This is a really cool style of rink. It is made entirely of wood with a metal roof. There is no concrete or asphalt surrounding the whole thing. Instead, the whole rink is surrounded by a wooden fence. This type of structure has one enormous advantage over the others. Since it is surrounded by a wooden fence, it prevents anyone from tampering with the ice during the game. This is a great way to guarantee the quality of the ice and the integrity of the game. The other advantage is that it is aesthetically pleasing. We all love a good architectural structure, do we not? It stands out among the other styles and is a perfect example of form meeting function.
Ice Cube Rink
This is the absolute minimum configuration of a hockey rink. There are four walls, a roof (made of glass or metal), and a big square of ice in the middle. The seats are not protected from the rain or snow, and there is no scoreboard. This is the basic and the most fundamental form of a hockey rink. The ice can be rented cheaply from local sports stores or individual sellers on eBay. The major drawback to this style of rink is that it is damn near impossible to make it big. The minimum size is 400 square feet, and that is about as big as you can get. If you are looking for a real ice rink, you have to look elsewhere (unless you are in Canada).
Field House Rink
This is the grandaddy of all the types of rinks. It is a stadium-like structure that is built in a sports park. Instead of metal seats, there are wooden benches that surround the entire rink. The roof is also made of wood, but instead of being flat, it is sloped at the edges. It looks like a big ol’ tent with a metal roof on it. This field house design has been around since the 1800s and is still in use today. The big advantage to this type of rink is that it can be expanded to any desired size. The roof is also very stable and can handle almost any natural disaster. There are no concrete or asphalt surrounding the whole thing, so it is very easy to fix and maintain. The other advantage is that it can hold large audiences. The seats are not covered, so everyone around can see the game. Even the players themselves are not affected by the cold, as the whole place is heated by huge boilers and warm air is blown around by large fans. One thing to watch out for are the large windows near the top of the rink wall. If you are a ballplayer, this is the perfect place to work your magic. If you are a hockey player, watch out for the glass, as it can be dangerous during the game. The major downside to this style of rink is that since it is open-air, there is no privacy. Even when the place is full, there is no hiding from the elements (rain, snow, or cold air-conditioning units). Also, tickets for sports parks are usually very expensive, as you have to buy them in advance and there are usually a lot of people wanting to go because they love the atmosphere and want to experience something different. Lastly, the food and drinks at sports parks are expensive, as you have to pay for each piece of food and drink separately. This is not going to be your typical family-friendly outing.
The Great Lake Rink
This is another alternative to the field house. Instead of a roof, there is an open air feel to the whole place. The walls are either made of glass or metal and extend to the edge of the ice. The good thing about this style of rink is that it is a hybrid design that can be used either as a traditional rink with metal rails and benches or as an open air field house. It can also be used to create a party atmosphere, as there are no dividers between the players and the audience. Everyone is on the same level, enjoying the game together. Another great feature about this style are the concession stands, which are usually operated by volunteers from the community. This kind of setup creates a greater connection between the sports fans and the game, as well as making the whole experience a lot more fun. One thing to watch out for are the times when rain or snow is falling on the glass or metal wall. Lightning frequently strikes nearby, so there is always a chance of a sudden downpour. The last thing you want is for the whole thing to become a glorified swimming pool, so watch out for that as well.
The Palace Of Sports Rink
This is the absolute best of the types of rinks. It is made entirely of glass. There are no walls, no roof, and no floor. It is just an open air exhibition of sports prowess. When you think about it, glass is pretty hard to break, so this is the perfect place for an intense game of ice hockey. It is a very stable configuration, which makes it easier for the ice crew to keep the ice in good shape for the whole night. Of course, you have to remember to bring your own padding to sit on, as there is no glass to sit on in this palace. There is also the potential for injuries, as you can slip and hurt yourself on the glass if you are not careful (especially when it is wet and cold outside). One other thing to keep in mind is that with no walls or dividers, there is no place for people to go for privacy. You are pretty much sharing the whole experience with everyone around you.
How Is The Size Of A Nhl Hockey Rink Related To The Size Of The City?
The rule of thumb is that the bigger the city, the bigger the rink. It is pretty self-explanatory. The bigger the city, the more people there are to go to the game. Therefore, you will have more people to share the experience with. If you want a small ice rink, you have to look into the smaller cities and towns.