Warmer temperatures are threatening to put a dampener on this weekend's NHL All-Star Game festivities.
The flash thaw in Ottawa, combined with rain, has forced the National Capital Commission to close the Rideau Canal until further notice just days before the Stanley Cup was to be paraded down the skateway to kick off All-Star weekend.
Several other events are scheduled to take place on the canal over the weekend.
"The NCC temporarily closed the skateway on Monday because of the weather conditions," said NCC spokeswoman Jasmine Leduc. "There are no maintenance operations going on right now because we want to minimize the impact on the ice."
NHL officials say they have a back-up plan if the canal can't reopen although they have yet to release details of the plan.
At this point, they say, the schedule remains unchanged.
Temperatures are expected to dip starting Wednesday.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Stefan Keyes
