By Paula Peterson
STATELINE, Nev. - It has been nonstop activity at Edgewood Tahoe for the past two weeks in preparation for this weekend's NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe. The scene on Wednesday looked like the major event it will be - televised coverage of a unique major sporting event.
Truckloads of equipment and the refrigerated ice truck are parked next to the 18th fairway at Edgewood. The ice is done. Towering lights are in place, and banners and signage ready for television and a snow machine is even set up.
There are two enclosed rink-side chalets, one for broadcasters, hockey officials, team personnel, referees, coaches, statistic people, tech support and video reply that is being sent back to Toronto. The other is a locker room replicating what players find on their home ice. They have bikes, washrooms, weight room, and therapy area. The only thing not added were the showers, but the NHL figured the players' hotel rooms were just across the street so they didn't really need to add. Outdoor ramps for team personnel are adjacent to one chalet and a media viewing area have been set up.