DALLAS – The slushy and divot-filled ice conditions at Reunion Arena for Game 3 remained a hot topic during yesterday’s morning skate at the Stars’ practice site.

While not defending the quality of their home ice, the Stars said that it wasn’t in worse shape than most other NHL rinks.

“The ice we played on [at the Meadowlands Arena] is just as bad as our ice,” said Derian Hatcher. “What can you do? You’re in the heart of Texas. I don’t mind, maybe because I’m a defenseman.”

Said coach Ken Hitchcock, “To me, every ice surface is exactly the same that is a multi-purpose facility. The only ice surfaces this time of year that are anything different are the single-purpose facilities like the Coliseum in Edmonton or the Saddledome in Calgary or Ottawa’s building. Everybody else is exactly the same, especially down here, because of the heat.”