Capo United lives dream outdoors at Dodger Stadium

The Capistrano United and Orange Lutheran hockey teams played an exhibition game in an ice rink at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Angela Alarcon looks for her son Austin Alarcon, who skates for Orange Lutheran, during Tuesday's exhibition game against Capistrano United at Dodger Stadium.
Orange Lutheran goalkeeper Austin Alarcon blocks a shot by Capistrano United during Tuesday's exhibition game at Dodger Stadium.
Capistrano United's Michael Boutoussov prepares to jump onto the ice during Tuesday's exhibition game against Orange Lutheran at Dodger Stadium.
Orange Lutheran fans Paul Moritz (seated) and his dad, Todd J. Moritz (standing above Paul), watch the action next to the Capistrano United bench during Tuesday's exhibition hockey game at Dodger Stadium.
Fans watch the action at Dodger Stadium during Tuesday's exhibition hockey game between Orange Lutheran and Capistrano United.
Orange Lutheran's Grant Marhoff, left, controls the puck as Capistrano United's Nick Brubaker gives chase during Tuesday's exhibition game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Orange Lutheran players are photographed by their parents after Tuesday's exhibition hockey game against Capistrano United at Dodger Stadium.
Capistrano United's Maximiliam Kamper walks down the Dodger Stadium steps on his way to the ice rink for Tuesday's exhibition game against Orange Lutheran in Los Angeles.
Fans watch the action as Orange Lutheran's Jacob Heller skates away from Capistrano United's Ty Gardner during Tuesday's exhibition game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Capistrano United players Michael Boutoussov, left, and Bennett Curran celebrate a Boutoussov goal during Tuesday's exhibition game against Orange Lutheran at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Capistrano United players Logan Peck (4) and Colin Kennedy take a selfie with Coach Phil Clark after Tuesday's exhibition game against Orange Lutheran at Dodger Stadium.
Capistrano United players remove their skates after participating in Tuesday's exhibition game against Orange Lutheran at Dodger Stadium. From left are: Zach Wolivar, Keenan Haase, Jacob Fricks, and Connor Reed.
Capistrano United's Leslie Bird takes a picture of her son Cooper Bird and his girlfriend Sasha Janet after Tuesday's exhibition game against Orange Lutheran at Dodger Stadium.
Members of the Capistrano United hockey team gather before the start of Tuesday's prep exhibition game against Orange Lutheran at Dodger Stadium.

By Mark Garcia | magarcia@scng.com | Orange County Register

January 29, 2014 at 11:09 p.m.

LOS ANGELES – There was no heaters under the players’ benches or hand-warmer packs, or even extra layers of clothing.

Outdoor hockey at Dodger Stadium didn’t require unique preparations for Capistrano United and Orange Lutheran Tuesday night. Such is outdoor hockey in southern California.

“This is pretty cool,” said Coyotes coach Darren Gardner, who attended the first outdoor stadium game in Edmonton in 2003 and played on outdoor ponds in Canada and Minnesota. “The one thing for me to get used to is no snow. But this is Los Angeles and it should be with no snow.”

Capistrano United and Orange Lutheran became the first two teams to play in the first high school game at the stadium, offering Coyotes forward Bennett Curran another memorable moment in his prep career.

“I will be telling this story forever,” said the Capistrano Valley High sophomore.

Although the game was labeled as an exhibition, it was difficult to tell if any of the players were taking it easy. In fact, some players on Capistrano United saw it as an opportunity to prove that a 2A Division team in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League can play with a 1A squad.

“I think we showed we could play in 1A,” said Coyotes goalie Kevin Vernon (Laguna Hills). “We kept up with them. We were on their level.”

The exhibition lasted one hour, starting at 9 p.m., and was split into two 30-minute halves. Capistrano United led after the first half, 8-5, but was outscored in the second, 3-0, and finished in an 8-8 tie.

“There was some competitiveness. It turned into a good old-fashioned hockey game,” said Gardner. “All in all, it was a perfect finish.”

“It was awesome … totally incredible,” said Coyotes defenseman Logan Peck (El Toro). “It was way better than I imagined. The whole environment, especially the mist on the glass, made it cool.”

And that, according to Gardner, was what the trip was all about.

“What we wanted to get out of this was a memory for the boys and their families, so when they go back to Dodger Stadium they can say they skated around second base,” he said. “I think right now they don’t know what they’ve been a part of, but in a few years, I think they will.”

Contact the writer: magarcia@ocregister.com or 949-454-7309