• Apple and NHL cooperate to give its officials Apple Watches
• They are being used in an outdoor game for the first time on March 1
• A custom app can give officials countdowns and even tell them which players are in the penalty shingle

Apple and the National Hockey League (NHL) have announced the next step in a partnership that has seen officials throughout the league equipped with the best Apple Watches to help them officate games.

Advertised by NHL, officials will wear Apple Watches and use a custom NHL Watch Comms app during an outdoor game for the first time, specifically the match between Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium, March 1.