WEST POINT - The air is cool, the ice is smooth and the blades are sharp. Players and organizers are ready for West Point's 7th annual P.E.I. Pond Hockey Championship happening this weekend.
Tournament organizer and former participant Sandy Stewart says the pond is ready for lots of friendly hockey action.
"A crew of guys have been going back and forth to flood the ice to get it nice and smooth and ready to go," Stewart says. "There's all kinds of ice out there. They were driving on it with a tractor, so there you go."
This weekend's action, happening Friday evening and Saturday, is expected to attract about 36 teams and up to 200 players.
"We get an excellent response every year with great turnouts, a lot of people praising the tournament," Stewart says. "I think it just brings a lot of people back to their childhood. Hockey has become pretty competitive these days and pond hockey just brings back the fun aspect of it."
Teams are divided into three divisions with top prizes consisting of team trophies and individual medals.
The ice surface is large enough for five four-on-four hockey games to be played at once and there will be a tent erected on the ice with canteen services available inside.
The all-ages tournament will take place behind Stewart Enterprises on Route 14 in West Point beginning around 5 p.m. on Friday under the lights and ending around 5 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information about the tournament contact Stewart at 859-3400.
