Sometimes, especially recently with all that is going on in the world, you will go to check the score or the start time of a hockey game but rather than a time, it shows “PPD”. But what does PPD mean in hockey?
In hockey, PPD is an abbreviation for postponed. If a hockey game has PPD next to it on the schedule, that means the game has been postponed to a later date and time.
In other leagues like the NBA, NFL and MLB when a game is postponed it too will be marked “PPD”, this is not exclusive to just hockey.
Reasons for a hockey game to be marked PPD
There are many reasons why a hockey game could have PPD listed beside it. Here are some examples:
1.) The NHL lockout
During the 2012-2013 season, there was no agreement between the owners and players union, so games were cancelled until they reached a deal. This led to a lot of postponements.
2.) An outdoor game
Outdoor games can sometimes lead to weather delays, which may cause them to be rescheduled.
For example, last year during the 2021 NHL Outdoor Games, the Boston Bruins played against the Colorado Avalanche. However, due to the sun melting the ice faster than anticipated, the game had to be moved to later in the evening.
3.) Weather
Weather conditions can also play a role in whether a game gets pushed back. Yeah, hockey games are played indoors. However, sometimes extreme weather can be a reason a game would be PPD.
Just this past season, for example; a game between the Nashville Predators and the Dallas Stars was postponed due to extreme weather that was impacting the electricity grid in the area.
The request to move the game to another date was made by city officials.
4.) Current events
Things like what we have been living through for the last 2 years or so have been the major factor in hockey games becoming PPD.
During the 2020-21 NHL season, over 50 games were postponed and marked “PPD” due to ongoing current events that forced players out of lineups.
Before this, PPD in hockey was relatively rare.
What to do if you have tickets to a PPD hockey game
There is no worse feeling than being excited to get out to a hockey game only to find out it’s not happening.
Your jersey is ready, you’ve already purchased your tickets, but all of a sudden the teams announce that the game has been postponed. What are you supposed to do?
You don’t have to worry, if the game you have tickets for is postponed, your tickets will still be valid for the rescheduled game.
If you can’t make the rescheduled date, your best bet is to try and sell the tickets on sites like Ticketmaster and stubhub.
Final thoughts
Stuff happens, and sometimes games get postponed. When a hockey game is postponed, it is marked “PPD”.
PPD means the game is being moved to a new date and time that has yet to be announced.
Tickets to PPD hockey games are still valid once the game is rescheduled.
If you liked this post, you may be interested in learning what SOG means in hockey.
