The present invention discloses a synthetic ice surface system comprising a first synthetic ice panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface having at least one expansion groove having a length dimension and a height dimension, a second synthetic ice panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface having at least one expansion nub having a length dimension and a height dimension, wherein the expansion groove is disposed along the side surface of the first synthetic ice panel so as to engage with the expansion nub on the side surface of the second synthetic ice panel such that the movement of the first synthetic ice panel relative to the second synthetic ice panel is inhibited.