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The Des Moines Buccaneers home opener won't be at the Bucs arena in Urbandale this weekend because they have no ice.

It turns out the ice-making equipment in the 62-year-old arena is under some last-minute repairs. “Unfortunately for us, our ice isn't going to be ready to go. We are doing a lot of improvements in our ice plant in Buccaneer Arena,” said Nate Teut, Buccaneers president.

Teut has made a deal with the new West Des Moines Mid-American Rec Plex. The Bucs home opener will be there Saturday night.

It has room for 2,500 fans compared to 3,500 at the Bucs home arena. Still, Bucs head coach Matt Curley says he's not worried. He says it’s just like competing on the road. “Obviously, we like to be home in our own building but in terms of the accessibility of having the Rec Plex down the road, it's worked out really well,” Curley said.

Teut says he’s looking forward to an unusual night.

“I think it's going to be an electric atmosphere. Nothing quite like what Buccaneer Arena brings. With that old-school feel and that type of noise, but we are ready to give that thing a test drive and hopefully, the rec plex will show well for us,” Teut said. He says the plan is to hold the Bucs opener at the Rec Plex Saturday and then return home for the rest of the season. That assumes repairs to the ice-making equipment can be finished in time.

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