There is only one sport that requires goalie pads big enough to sled in, allows players to shove, hack and slam their opponents against the wall and needs a Zamboni for pre-game preparations. That’s right, a Zamboni.
The Club Sports hockey team plays at 7:30 p.m. on select Friday and Saturday nights at the Lane County Ice Arena throughout the winter. For $2, the games are a great way for fans to support the team and take in the experience of a winter recreation activity.
While the crowd won’t see a flying V or Emilio Estevez standing on the sidelines a la Disney’s “The Mighty Ducks,” these Ducks provide an energetic, contact-filled sporting match.
“Pre-game involves getting ready; each player has their own rituals,” first-year coach Scott McCallum said. “There is often loud music and a pre-game pep talk.”
McCallum has played Division I hockey and has been on the ice since he was four.
At the arena, eager fans wait for rock music to play over the loud speakers, signaling the moment the 29-member team takes the ice. They complete their pre-game warm-ups in 10 minutes, which involve stretching, skating at quick speeds across the rink, passing and shooting on the goalie.
The games start with a group huddle and a quick “1, 2, 3 … Go Ducks!”
The team has three mandatory practices per week. One is a dry practice, and the other two are at the arena every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 p.m. to midnight.
“Practices are intense,” says McCallum. “We work on fundamental skills, positional tactics and team tactics as well as conditioning.”
The team plays two games per week, from late September to late February or early March.
Hockey Club coordinator Justin Keeland joined the team three years ago and has been playing hockey since he was five. He says it is a great game because it’s different from sports a lot of Oregonians are used to watching.
“As a player, the physical part of the game (is the best),” Keeland said. “I’m sure the fans like that too. Most fans get into the game when there’s a lot of hitting.”
Senior Melissa Vitale, who has attended the past few games, agreed.
“I really like hockey just because it’s full contact … as a sport, hockey is great,” she said.
The cheers of the large crowds that fill Autzen Stadium and McArthur Court are absent at the ice rink. Even though the Hockey Club draws the largest crowd of Club Sports teams at about 200 people per game, new fans are encouraged to attend. There are 10 home games left in the season.

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