Well the guys pulled it off again. Two years in a row now there has been a cold spell intense enough to freeze a local farm pond for a game of ice hockey. Note: this is not recommended and anyone who is umm...brave enough to try this takes on the risks of all such umm...bravery. Note: last picture in the photo gallery.
Due to sunny skies yesterday and expected highs of 38 today, the game started early. I've only skated one other time and took the opportunity to skate around a bit before the game ramped up and I will say it was pretty fun. The ice was so clean and smooth. So shortly after 9 the action was in high gear. This isn't a group of hockey newbies and to watch such great skating in such a raw environment was really impressive. In addition to the great setting, there were no pads or helmets and beer breaks were frequent.
About an hour into the game a pretty significant crack appeared. Play stopped and there was contemplation. Play resumed. Mike then fell through some perimeter ice and managed to walk out of the hole all in one great move and he barely got his knees wet. More contemplation. Play continued after the ring was realigned to point the other direction on less stressed ice. Several of us were sitting in chairs on ice just off shore and we could see cracks and pools of water were developing under us. We moved everything off the ice. Play continued.
The day was called before an oh shit moment happened and we all gathered for a photo op on what appeared to be less stressed ice about 6' off shore. The Kentucky ice said no more though and let loose dumping everyone in the pond. It was barely knee deep though and for those that didn't panic, wet shoes and socks were about it. Others got a bit more. I could tell it was getting ready to give so I was a step ahead of everyone and barely got splashed.
Chili and hot drinks were supplied by the farm owners afterwards. Many thanks for their hospitality. Do days get any better than this for hockey lovers?
For those that have expressed concerns...this really wasn't an unsafe deal. The pond wasn't very deep, there was plenty of safety equipment rink side and everyone that enjoyed the day knew getting wet was a possibility.
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