ARLINGTON, Va. – Players must prepare for the elements at the Winter Classic as the forecast is calling for plenty of sunshine.
Forecasters expect a temperature of about five degrees when the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks take to the ice at Nationals Park for the NHL’s annual New Year’s Day outdoor game.
However, the glare from the sun — more so than the temperature — could cause the early afternoon start time to be pushed back.
The 2012 Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia was delayed two hours because of the sun and a Stadium Series game at Yankee Stadium earlier this year was delayed 98 minutes.
Some members of the Capitals plan to wear eye black to deal with the sunshine, something that wasn’t an issue in their 2011 game in Pittsburgh because that Winter Classic was moved from day to night due to rain.
Washington coach Barry Trotz joked that his biggest adjustment would be wearing a hat, but added players would need to adjust to the different depth perception of being in a baseball stadium instead of an arena.
Source:: Metro News
