Played Pond Hockey for first time since childhood

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

What a rush! It was a great time, really just a ton of fun. I've spent so much time playing and coaching organized hockey that it was a blast to get back to the roots of the game. Realized I had to compensate a little more for the puck popping up a bit here and there and that the wind was strong enough that you had to skate against it sometimes, it'd offer resistance to your stick and it'd make passes curve.

All-in-all, I'm hooked. There had to be 50+ people ranging from grandparents to little kids all out there playing mini-games. I'm sure I'll have to have my skates sharpened before my game on Wednesday.

I just kept thinking of that documentary Pond Hockey. I love this game.

[Agent1.8 1]

What a rush! It was a great time, really just a ton of fun. I've spent so much time playing and coaching organized hockey that it was a blast to get back to the roots of the game. Realized I had to compensate a little more for the puck popping up a bit here and there and that the wind was strong enough that you had to skate against it sometimes, it'd offer resistance to your stick and it'd make passes curve.

All-in-all, I'm hooked. There had to be 50+ people ranging from grandparents to little kids all out there playing mini-games. I'm sure I'll have to have my skates sharpened before my game on Wednesday.

I just kept thinking of that documentary Pond Hockey. I love this game.

I am taking my son out after Christmas dinner....his first time on ice! Santa hooked him up with his first pair of skates, gloves, shins, elbows, pants, and helmet! He is pumped!

[Jsmells 0]

Tomorrow my cousin who lives in Florida and plays is coming up to Michigan, I can't wait to take him to all of my favorite places to play outdoors; it should be a really fun time.

[maxamillion 3]

It just doesn't get cold enough here in Philly man. I've been dying to play pond hockey, it's on my bucket list.

[steelnation248 101]

I love playing pond hockey with my friends. It's nice to get out there and just have a good time. Sometimes the ice is really choppy but there's still nothing better than it.

[ibeck 38]

The best is fresh ice in the morning when the snowblower comes around and you can just shoot a ton of pucks!

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

It's been dropping down to about 20 degrees at night here in North Jersey. 35 during the day. I was freezing with 5 layers on when I first got on the ice, I was hot with two by the time I left.

I'm pretty sore today. I'm used to playing 20-30 minutes in my mens' league games. I played maybe 2 hours straight yesterday without any breaks.

[Agent1.8 1]

It's been dropping down to about 20 degrees at night here in North Jersey. 35 during the day. I was freezing with 5 layers on when I first got on the ice, I was hot with two by the time I left.

I'm pretty sore today. I'm used to playing 20-30 minutes in my mens' league games. I played maybe 2 hours straight yesterday without any breaks.

I am in North Jersey too, from your picture it looks like you play at Ice House, think I played your squad last season.

[Travimo 0]

It just doesn't get cold enough here in Philly man. I've been dying to play pond hockey, it's on my bucket list.

Definately on mine as well. Sooooo jealous of people with frozen ponds and such. Last year it got cold enough (Portland, Oregon), but I'd just had surgery and couldnt skate. Sucked too, because our local WHL team (Portland Winterhawks) came out and played some pickup games and such.

[Joe 1]

I was back in the Montreal area from Northern California and had the opportunity to play on an outdoor rink with him and it certainly made me appreciate the game, my upbringing and the towns that put the hard work in to make it all possible

[Larry54 243]

We have around 275 outdoor rinks in Montreal. Sometimes I can spend 3 hours skating and playing, going inside a few times to defrost my toes. You don't get as winded and tired as you do playing indoors, especially compared to smaller arenas with lower ceilings. While I equally enjoy playing on the perfect sheet of ice of an indoor rink, there's a certain dynamic, a certain intangible that you only feel playing outdoors.

[Hermans 9]

We have around 275 outdoor rinks in Montreal. Sometimes I can spend 3 hours skating and playing, going inside a few times to defrost my toes. You don't get as winded and tired as you do playing indoors, especially compared to smaller arenas with lower ceilings. While I equally enjoy playing on the perfect sheet of ice of an indoor rink, there's a certain dynamic, a certain intangible that you only feel playing outdoors.

There is something about cold air and physical activity. To this day I have a deep mark on my left ankle from 8 years ago. I had a skate cut into the inside of my left ankle and I never felt it until I went inside. It was minue 20 or so. I just played; never felt a thing. Never bled unti I went in. Skin was frozen to the cut in the sock.

I agree about needing to go indoors once if you're playing that long (3 hours) but if you get a good base layer to keep you dry and put on light layers you can take the clothes off or add them as you play outdoors. It's awesome when you get true stick on ice, skate, no hitting, fresh air in the lungs hockey it's only until you get home that you realize just how much you've been playing and exerting yourself.

275 outdoor rinks!!! Heaven.

[AIREAYE 248]

I once played in the middle of downtown Mississauga on a large rain water pond on a construction site...good times :)

[DennyRussell 0]

I spent 6 hours this weekend with my son and daughter playing on the pond. It really doesn't get any better than that.