No, your eyes aren't deceiving you — that's yellow ice, and the Blades will be playing on it

Craig Handel | The News-Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Yellow ice gets mixed reviews Florida Everblades players, fans and coach Brad Ralph talk about team's new look on the ice

You’ve seen blue, red, purple and gray football fields.

There are basketball courts with beaches and other scenes painted on them.

Now, get ready for yellow ice, courtesy of the Florida Everblades.

To honor Hertz buying the naming rights of their arena, Everblades officials added a yellow coat of paint between two sealer coats for the ECHL team’s home opening games against the Norfolk Admirals to give the ice a yellow tint.

The rental car giant announced its plans for a new design on the outside of the Estero arena, long known as Germain Arena, last month to match its iconic vibrant yellow and bold black corporate colors.

Hertz is seeking permission from the Estero Design Review Board to change the building's color to "sunny" yellow on the outside. Everblades officials had no qualms making the inside have a sunny glow for the weekend.

After this weekend's games, the yellow will be removed.

Blades president and general manager Craig Brush joked, “Don’t eat the yellow ice,” before adding, “It’s something Hertz wanted to do and we’re all for it. It’s the first time it’s yellow, not the first time it’s been painted."

Blades media relations director Dan Corcoran said teams have changed their ice colors in the past noting some have put down pink for breast cancer while Kalamazoo put down orange for Halloween last season.

“It’s different, cool,” forward Joe Cox said. “It’ll be a lot cooler with the stands packed. I’m kind of a fan of it.”

Cox was in the minority of those polled.

In case you missed it: Germain Arena to be renamed Hertz Arena after naming rights agreement

More: 'What an eyesore!:' Reader feedback on Hertz Arena's proposed new look doesn't mince words

Players and fans tried to be as politically correct as possible but the overall feeling is that it’s taking a lot to get used to and they’re glad it’s only for the weekend.

Defenseman Jordan Southorn: "Um, I mean, I don’t know what to think (laughs). I’m used to outdoor rinks in Montreal. It’s a little bit of adjustment.”

Forward Steve Lorentz: “It’s different. When you first step out there, you don’t know what to think.”

Forward Jordan Roe: “It’s a weird shade of yellow. It kind of hurt my eyes.”

Rolling his eyes, forward John McCarron said, “Oh yeah. Hertz is an unbelievable sponsor so whatever they want.”

When asked if he’s excited about playing on the yellow ice, Blades coach Brad Ralph smiled and said, “I’m excited to play on home ice.”

More: Estero design board, residents balk at big yellow plan for Hertz Arena

More: Mostly new Florida Everblades roster ready to take another run at ECHL's Kelly Cup

Florida Everblades vs. Norfolk Admirals

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Hertz Arena

Stream: ECHL.com

Notable: Former Blades play-by-play man Alex Reed now has the same duties with the Norfolk Admirals. Reed left the Blades to be closer to family.