Postby mbalcs33 » Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:03 am
Was able to get out on the ice on the Monday holiday but with pressure cracks sounding off we made it a kids only affair. Started out at around 10am with just myself and my 4 and 7yo. Once I got off the ice I thought it would be a short day with the temps inching up over freezing. But the sounds of the skates on ice and puck hitting the board attracted some neighborhood kids.
A few calls and we had a 4 on 4 (3 on 3 when the two 4 yos had enough and hit the Legos). The tournament play lasted for hours with just a few hot chocolate breaks. The water was creeping up from under in a few spots along the boards and by 3pm one end was unusable as the water was pistoning from under and the crack had turned into a full blown fissure 10" long and 4" wide. I finally had to call the game over in fear of someone breaking through. If It was colder I'm sure there would have been puck action until into the night.
It amazed me the improvement of some kids in just those few hours. 2 kids in particular, both 8-9 yo who had never really skated and definitely hadn't played in a game like this. By the end they had it figured out, were able to stay pretty solid on their skates and keep focused on the puck while getting a good shot off. Watching the stick handling and passing develop amongst the whole squad was amazing. It probably worked out best that no adults could get on the ice and let them all just figure it out.
With all the struggles that I'm seeing on this blog in most regions, I feel lucky we at least got one afternoon in. Hitting the sack for the night after just finishing putting a fresh layer of water in hopes that it will be solid by Saturday with low of 22 tonight and mid teens Friday night. Can't wait to get another day - the forecast doesn't look too good after the weekend as daytime temps up into the 40s. Is there a rain dance equivalent for a good long cold snap?
Mike
Skating on ponds for 45 years, a backyard rink for 14
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"The important thing is that we watch each other's backs out on the ice. That's what matters"
Zdeno Chara