With Monday’s outdoor practice canceled due to rain, Bruins dreading ‘a lot more hiccups’ on Notre Dame Stadium’s ice

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Torey Krug can speak on the learning curve that comes with playing outdoor hockey better than most — with the 27-year-old defenseman lacing up his skates for “The Big Chill at the Big House” while playing for Michigan State in 2010 before playing in the 2016 Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium.

Boston boasts a couple of players set to take part in their third Winter Classic, but on a roster with nine players aged 25 or under — the amount of experience in the outdoor showcase can be spread a bit thin.

Along with the usual challenges presented by a sheet of unruly ice on an outdoor rink, Bruce Cassidy noted that there are plenty of other learning curves for players to adapt to during a tilt such as Tuesday’s Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium.

That’s where players like Krug, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara come in.

"I think that goes back to the question about leaning on the older guys about playing in the outdoor games," Cassidy said. "I've read some comments about without the crowd being up against the glass, it can be a little bit of a different feeling for the players, mostly defenseman, going back on pucks. The wind, that comes into play, I think it’s going to be a little overcast. So the sun, we talked about that today, coming down like that. That can be hard too.”

For Krug, most of the questions he’ll have to field will likely come during and after Boston’s first outdoor practice in South Bend on Monday — with players able to get their feet wet and learn to modify their game for the matchup against the Blackhawks.

“Nothing too crazy yet,” Krug said. “I think we’re still a little bit out from that. Maybe tomorrow if we do get on the ice out there. There’s probably going to be a few more questions on what to deal with. I’ve got the eye black question a lot. A lot of people think it’s just for looks, but it’s actually very helpful. I think the young guys will appreciate that at some point, they’ll get to try that out tomorrow hopefully.”

“Hopefully” was the key word, as both the Bruins and Blackhawks’ time outdoors has now been significantly shortened.  



While weather conditions call for temps in the low to mid 30s with possible snow flurries for New Year’s Day, the same can’t be said for Monday — with over an inch of rain expected to fall in South Bend, canceling any possible outdoor activity. 

While most, if not all NHL players honed their craft out on a pond or outdoor rink growing up, the game is certainly quite a bit different up in the pro ranks — with the Winter Classic's regular outdoor practice on New Year’s Eve allowing both clubs to get situated in their new surroundings before two points are suddenly up for grabs.

The Winter Classic has always had its fair share of run-ins when it comes to the conditions. Back in 2014, the matchup between the Rangers and Devils at Yankee Stadium had to be delayed for over 40 minutes due to the sun reflecting on the ice — creating a safety hazard for anyone skating on the sheet.

Following the game, Devils goalie Martin Brodeur was candid about the conditions he dealt with in a game where he surrendered six goals over two periods of play — stating that it was the “worst ice I ever played hockey on.”

The Blackhawks, who have yet to win a Winter Classic matchup in their first three attempts, have also been frank about playing in the event — with Corey Crawford commenting on the state of the ice during the 2017 Winter Classic at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

It’s a given that both the Bruins and Blackhawks will have to overcome the elements on Tuesday afternoon. Having a day outdoors to prep would have certainly gone a long way.

"I think without getting out there, yeah, there’s going to be a lot more hiccups, I would think,” Cassidy said. “(Chicago) has a young team too. So you’ve got a lot of first-time players. So you might see a few more mistakes than you normally would, just from players not being acclimated with their circumstances.  You might say, ‘It’s only one day’. Well, one day matters to sort of get a feel for it.

“We’ll see. Hopefully, both clubs get to go out there. For the guys that haven't experienced it, just so it’s not the first time they step on the ice, and it really matters. They can sort of take a test run.”’