There are several "lack of oxygen” warning signs near the field entrance at U.S. Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium, where the Colorado Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. Kings coach Todd McLellan said keeping his players' shifts short is crucial, as his team was feeling the elevation at Friday's skate. “It will come into play for us. We don’t train at this level. There were some red faces and some tongues hanging out at practice,” he said.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ first outdoor hockey game could be officially announced as soon as Saturday during the Air Force Academy Stadium Series game, sources tell ESPN. The 2021 event will be held at Carter-Finley Stadium, N.C. State’s football venue, as part of the NHL Stadium Series. The NHL tested logistics at the stadium last November. According to The News & Observer, a Hurricanes’ funding request indicated the game would be played in January or February. No word on opponent.
The No. 1 reason NHL coaches get fired? Goaltending, of course! Of the bottom 10 teams in save percentage this season, six of them have made coaching changes: San Jose (29th), New Jersey (28th), Nashville (27th), Minnesota (25th), Vegas (24th) and Toronto (23rd). Dallas (2nd) and Calgary (11th) made their coaching changes for off-ice reasons. Love your coach and think he got a raw deal? Blame your goalies.