New ice laid down at MedStar Capitals Iceplex

MedStar Capitals Iceplex, the Washington Capitals’ practice facility, has been closed to the public since March 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But Thursday, six members of the staff relaid the ice and re-painted the rink on the Capitals side. It’s another sign that hockey may be back soon.

“We don’t know when we will be allowed to reopen for skating activities but until then…,” the facility wrote on social media.

Over the last two days, the MCI Facebook has shared the ice’s progress via time-lapses.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

“We take out each sheet to redo it every two years! So next year will be the Arlington rinks turn,” MCI wrote in its Instagram Story.

Here’s the finished product of the rink.

Earlier in the week, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that Phase 2 activities, including small group workouts, could begin in mid-June.

There are approximately six Capitals players that are still in the area according to general manager Brian MacLellan.

MacLellan said Capitals have about 6 players in the DC area right now who would potentially begin skating at MedStar in when Phase 2 begins in early June and then more players would filter in as start of camp approaches.

He mentioned July 10 as possible start date for camp.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 29, 2020

The NHL’s Phase 3, the start of team’s training camps, could begin in mid-July.

“We try and prepare as best as we can,” MacLellan said. “The dates that we look to start to finish, constantly evolve and constantly change. We got a firm – or somewhat firm – date of July 10 (for the start of training camp) the other day. But that’s not firm either. It could be later than that, could be July 14.”

Screenshot courtesy of @medstarcapitalsiceplex