A synthetic ice surface system includes a plurality of sections of synthetic ice and a plurality of dowels. At least a portion of an outer periphery of each section of synthetic ice has one or more passages. Each of the dowels has a pair of opposing ends and one end of one or more of the dowels mates in one of the passages in one of the sections of synthetic ice. Another end of the one or more of the dowels mates in another one of the passages in another one of the sections of synthetic ice to secure the adjacent sections of synthetic ice together and form a substantially smooth ice surface. The sections of synthetic ice and the dowels are made of substantially the same material.