Red Wings Star Dylan Larkin Mocks Ohio Stadium Ahead of NHL Stadium Series Game: 'Ugliest Stadium'

The Detroit Red Wings took their hockey skills outdoors this week, practicing on a temporary rink set up in Ohio Stadium, home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. But the setting didn’t exactly win everyone over—especially not Dylan Larkin, who wasn’t shy about sharing his less-than-glowing review of the venue.

"It’s probably the ugliest stadium I’ve ever been in," Larkin, a former Michigan Wolverine, said bluntly. Ouch. That’s not going to sit well with Buckeyes fans—or anyone with a soft spot for Ohio Stadium’s iconic horseshoe design.

The Red Wings are in town preparing for Saturday’s NHL Stadium Series matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. While Larkin wasn’t thrilled with the stadium’s aesthetics, he did admit there’s something special about playing hockey outdoors. "It’s cool to play hockey outside," he said. "There’s a lot of excitement with the guys and (it's) pretty cool to just do something different." Fair enough, Dylan. A little fresh air never hurt anyone.

The stakes are high for Saturday’s game, with both teams tied for one of the Eastern Conference's wild-card spots. Adding to the drama is the weather forecast, with temperatures expected to dip into the 20s and wind gusts likely to challenge players on the ice.

Patrick Kane, one of the Red Wings’ outdoor hockey veterans, weighed in on how the weather could impact gameplay. "I’m sure the ice will be a little bit better (tonight), being colder," he said. "You’re skating into the wind, and then, the other way, you’re skating with the wind at your back. That could be something that comes into play where maybe they might switch the sides with 10 minutes left in (the third) period." A windy chess match on ice—sounds like a spectacle.

The Red Wings also have some extra motivation going into this game after Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Blue Jackets in Detroit. Saturday’s outdoor showdown offers them a chance for revenge—and maybe even a shot at restoring some Michigan pride after Larkin’s not-so-flattering comments about Ohio Stadium.