Despite the region’s recent bout with cold, wet weather, most residents of Eugene know little about a
real winter.
Lane County provides residents with skiing, snowshoeing and the Lane County Ice Arena (where two hockey squads play), but what is really missing is the one thing that typifies winter in many areas of the world —
pond hockey.
The ice may not always be the smoothest or temperature the warmest, but when skating on a pond, the only things that matter are crisp cross-overs, powerful strides, tight turns and hockey-stops.
Nothing holds a person back — no boards, no out-of-bounds, no ice-time sign-ups and no overbearing parents. The threat of thin ice may hold skaters back at first, but once the ice has been checked by a trained eye, the next biggest worry is when the sun will set.
For those who have never had the opportunity to sit on a frost-covered rock to strap on a pair of skates (and those who have never worn blades on their feet period), let’s go to New England and one of the many frozen ponds.
After piling on the necessary clothes (pants, shirts, sweater, jacket, hat, gloves and, finally, a faded hockey jersey from childhood), grab a couple pucks and a stick, which holds the skates. Trust me, slide the stick between the runner and the boot of the skate and transport them that way. It is an unwritten rule in the pond hockey world that cool players carry their skates with their stick.
So, with stick over shoulder, walk down to the pond trying not to slip on the packed snow path that leads the way. Don’t let the smell of the pines and the shimmer of the sun off the black ice become a distraction because it could mean the end of a pond hockey career before it has
even started.
Local kids have already started a pick-up game out in the middle of the pond. The ice is smoother than any Zamboni driver can ever hope for and for the first few strides away from the bench, look down and see the rocky bottom and the fish swimming directly beneath.
OK, back to reality — dark and damp Eugene, where the only ice that can be found outside is surrounding the newest porch keg.
Don’t misunderstand me, there is a lot to do in places where ponds don’t freeze in the winter, but skating outside is something everyone should get an opportunity to do.
Fans of the San Jose Sharks and Atlanta Thrashers (why is there a team there anyway?) or the local Club Sports hockey team and the Eugene Thunder need to take a trip to the frozen pond. There, skating is at its best is on display, and people can gain an understanding of what motivated people to strap blades to their feet to begin with.