I took a little trip to the Erie Basin Marina yesterday to see firemen hosing down the lake for next week's Labatt Pond Hockey Tournament.
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The wind we've had made for a choppy surface, and with snow on the way, the powers that be thought it best to give the surface a good drink to even it out for play.
While Lt. Keith LoCicero and Firefighter James Pierce of Truck 2 were in the bucket, the rest of us stood around on the ground, watching the water gush and enjoying the rainbows it made.
Labatt Brand Manager Dave Grohusko, who oversaw last year's event, was on hand to watch the progress on the rinks. "The scope has grown tremendously this year," he said. "It's more competitive, with novice, intermediate and advanced teams. And then there's the women's team we added because there was a need and a demand for it."
Grown to 4 times the size of last year's event, which saw 16 teams compete, Grohusko was ready for the logistics of the 64-team tournament this year. Speaking of last year's change of venue from Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park to the Erie Basin Marina due to ice quality, Grohusko said, "Hoyt Lake was the 'romantic' choice, but in hindsight, and for safety, it wasn't the best venue."
The schedule of games will be out in the next day or two, according to Grohusko, but spectators should plan on stopping down to the marina during the February 7th tournament. "Labatt loves staging events like this," Grohisko said. "We like seeing the foot traffic."
Buffalo at it's finest! I checked out the website, but is there a cost to watch the games?