Warm winter not yet a worry for pond hockey tourney

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Unseasonable temperatures in December and a lack of snow are not yet concerning organizers of the World Pond Hockey Championship in Plaster Rock set for next month.

“Things are going well so far from an organizational point,” tournament president Danny Braun said. “Now we just need Mother Nature to help us out with some snow for the rink banks, but it is looking good so far.”

Braun said the milder weather early in the winter was a “bit of an issue,” but dropping temperatures resulted in six inches of ice on the lake since then.

Jill Maetea, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said even a milder January can still be cold.

“If temperatures are normally around -15 C and we see warmer temperatures by five degrees it is still – 10 C,” she said.

Maetea says a “more active” pattern for snow is forecast for the province.

“The northern areas will definitely begin to see some snow beginning as early as next week,” she said.

Braun said there are currently 90 men’s and 12 women’s teams registered to participate from Feb. 15-18 at Roulston Lake in the Plaster Rock Tourist Park.

The frozen surface is separated into 20 rinks, where teams play four-on-four hockey simultaneously throughout the action-packed weekend.

The event is scheduled to start Thursday, Feb. 15, with opening ceremonies beginning indoors at the Phil Sharkey Memorial Centre, followed by an Olympic-style parade of athletes to Roulston Lake for the ceremonial puck drop in front of the ice sculpture.

Games are to continue throughout the weekend.

“The 20 rinks on the lake means as many as 40 teams will be playing throughout the day and under the lights in the evening,” Braun said. “It’s a great venue for families and hockey spectators to catch some great action, pond hockey style.”