Game at Coyotes' new home reminds Rangers' K'Andre Miller of his college days

TEMPE, Ariz. — K’Andre Miller’s eyes were wide as he talked about the experience of playing an NHL game in a 5,026-seat college rink. In a way, the Rangers defenseman said, it was like going back to his college days at the University of Wisconsin.

“Yeah, literally,’’ Miller said after the Rangers beat Arizona, 3-2, in their first visit to the Coyotes' new, temporary home, Mullett Arena, on the campus of Arizona State University. "It was, I don't know, something ... I have no words ... I've been trying to figure out what I just played.’’

The Coyotes left their old arena in Glendale, Ariz., after last season. They are waiting to see if they can get approval by the city of Tempe to build a new arena and the plan is to play on campus until a new arena is built, which won’t be for at least three years.

Miller, 22, isn’t that far removed from playing college hockey, but he called the experience “weird.’’

“It was a fun atmosphere, that's for sure,’’ he said. “But it's something you're not really used to once you’ve played in the league a little bit.’’

Miller did enjoy seeing and hearing all the Rangers fans who packed the building, though.

“I mean, had to be 70-30 [ratio] Rangers fans, right? I mean, that's pretty much a home game, I guess,’’ he said.

For the Coyotes’ first four home games, the visiting team is dressing in the community ice rink in the building. Players are sitting on folding chairs in front of temporary lockers while new locker rooms for the Coyotes and visiting teams are being finished. Those should be ready in December.

Miller said he didn’t mind the makeshift dressing area.

“It does the job,’’ he said.

Kravtsov out again

Forward Vitali Kravtsov missed his sixth game due to injury this season after leaving Saturday’s 6-3 win over the Stars in Dallas when he crashed into the boards in the second period. Ryan Reaves, who had been scratched against Dallas, returned to the lineup to take Kravtsov’s place.

Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said Kravtsov is “day to day,’’ and said he would be re-evaluated Monday.

Dellandrea fined by NHL

The NHL fined Dallas forward Ty Dellandrea the maximum $2,333.33 for goaltender interference against Igor Shesterkin in Saturday’s game. Dellandrea clipped Shesterkin’s skate as he skated past the goalie at 19:38 of the first period, causing Shesterkin to fall on his back and lie on the ice for several moments. Dellandrea was penalized for tripping on the play, and also served a roughing minor as several Rangers engaged him. Artemi Panarin was also penalized for roughing.

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.