A Cold Night in Smith Falls

It’s been getting colder each night, and starting to feel more like winter after our long warm spell. For me Hockey and the cold winters go hand in hand. There’s something special about hockey players and fans that actively seek the ice-cold temperatures of a hockey rink for practice and games. I’ve been to many old rinks in both New York and Ontario where you can feel and see the proud tradition displayed throughout the rinks. In some towns up north weekend games are where all the action is. People go down to the rink to watch the local teams compete at all age levels. From Mites to Midgets that’s the biggest show in town. The temperature can be quite a bit below zero outside, and inside the game goes on. The concession stands sell coffee and poutine (Gravy over cheese curd and fries) the kids get their hot chocolate and beaver tails while their older siblings skate up and down the ice. Saturday night in Smith Falls Ontario just outside the rink one night after a game a few years ago I realized how much I loved just being in these old rinks. These rinks have seen a lot of hockey. There are great rinks from the Coliseum in Syracuse NY to the Clinton Comets old rink, up to the old Massena rink and Potsdam’s Pine St. I enjoyed my time in Clayton and back in Watertown’s Ice arena. There are many more, and every one is full of memories for many players and fans. Wherever I am on a cold winter night I know there’s a lot of hometown hockey being played out there in the night. Suddenly it’s not that bad being in the cold.