SCENES FROM CAMPUS: Hockey outside the SAC

EDITOR’S NOTE: Central Michigan Life will occasionally send a reporter and photographer to find a quick story of what’s happening on campus. This story is the third in the series, “Scenes on Campus.”

The 2010 Winter Olympics were the topic of conversation during a pick-up game of hockey Wednesday afternoon outside the Student Activity Center.

Port Huron senior Sean Addley, Ohio junior Brian Conn and Northville junior Michael Kreager felt it was the right time to start up an evening of hockey as millions watched the Olympics on television.

As they skated, many competitors had Sunday’s scheduled matchup between the Canada and United States hockey teams on their minds. The pick-up players said they had a common enemy in Team Canada and Sidney Crosby, who plays for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

“Nothing would upset me more if Sidney Crosby won a gold medal,” Kreager said. “The (USA) team is a lot younger this year, but (Brian) Rafalski has a lot of respect.”

Since last year, the group has met two to three times a week during the winter for a quick pick-up game. With no goalie on either end, playing requires more defense than usual.

Keeping up with hockey is especially important for Addley.

“(I’ve) been playing for my whole life,” Addley said. “(It is) great to come out here, I’ve even seen a church group come out and play using Tupperware bowls for nets.”

A home game

The two goals used were made up of a piece of wood and a combination of snow shovels and wastebaskets. Since there were no officials, players tried to keep it clean.

“We try to match up as fair as possible,” said Addley. “No blindsiding or anything, just a clean game.”

Before starting, the guys placed their sticks on the ice in a group. One player randomly separated the sticks into two piles, forming teams.

The players use only gloves, sticks and skates. Despite not having all the equipment that could be used in a hockey game, Conn said he expects the tradition to continue.

“I come out and play as much as I can,” he said. “Just borrow some kid’s pads and you’re ready to go.”