As many went to the hills with their sleds on our first snow day of the season, some went to the ponds and laced up their skates. With the temperatures dropping below freezing and the ice reaching the proper thickness, it was a perfect recipe for a hockey winter wonderland. All the hockey connoisseurs needed was a pair of skates and a shovel. The Ice Tigers saw their opportunity and took it at Cherokee Park. 

Amidst a long and difficult season, the Ice Tigers take every chance they can get to play the sport they love in a beautiful environment.

“Pond hockey is such a dream for hockey players, especially for us because it rarely gets cold enough in Louisville,” sophomore Brody Dow said.

On Friday, Jan. 19, the dream became a reality for all hockey players around that were brave enough to trust the frozen ponds. As the climates of Louisville don’t exactly fit the stereotype of a typical ‘outdoor hockey town’ like up north, it’s safe to say that pond hockey is a treat for all who take part. 

“Skating outside just makes you feel free rather than being in the confines of an ice rink,” Dow added.

With only two active ice rinks in Louisville, it’s easy to see how the same walls could become a little confining. When hockey players get the chance to exchange boards and glass for trees and snow banks, they take that opportunity.