Ahearn's calling: make UC ice nice

It's not the heat or humidity that are the mortal enemies of Dan Ahearn's ice. It's the Bulls and the concerts.

Ahearn, the Lombard resident in charge of United Center's ice for the last 17 years and the Chicago Stadium's sheet for 13 years before that, didn't flinch Sunday afternoon prior to Game 4 when the real-feel temperature cracked 90 degrees.

"The trouble this time of year is not the heat and humidity," Ahearn said. "We've got plenty of cooling capacity, as you can feel out there."

The rink's surface stays at 23-24 degrees at all times. That gives Ahearn a head start when it comes to providing consistent ice.

But it's never that simple at a multi-use facility like the UC. Ahearn's next challenge comes Wednesday, the day after Maxwell and Jill Scott perform.

Once the protective covering is removed from the ice, Ahearn and his crew do much more than re-smooth the surface with their pair of Zambonis.

"You've got to clean it up," Ahearn said. "There's dirt and pop and other stuff spilled on it, so you've got to shave off ice. You take off ice, you've got to put back what you take off.

"What you're putting on is brand-new ice. New ice isn't the best ice to skate on."

That leads to complaints from the Hawks and their opponents, which bothers Ahearn as a former hockey player himself.

He likes to think his ice plays well during the regular season and has only become better since the Bulls' season ended a month ago.

With nothing but the Stanley Cup finals on the agenda after Tuesday's concert, the ice should be excellent for the Hawks' pursuit of their first Cup in 49 years.

"It's pretty much like being at an ice rink now," Ahearn said.