If you’re into pond hockey then you know what it was like to struggle through a relatively snowless winter in 2011-12. The lack of snow and cold prevented Buffalo Pond Hockey from playing at the Parkside Lodge rinks and Gala Waters (Hoyt Lake). It also caused the Labatt Blue pond hockey tournament to resort to a street hockey competition. These days it can be tough to rely on Buffalo winters to deliver the goods, so it’s a good thing that the Buffalo Sabres organize an annual one-day summer event called Street HockeyFest.
On Sunday August 19, Perry Street (in front of the First Niagara Center) will be the place to be, for that is where HockeyFest is being hosted. For anyone looking to get in on the action, at this point it is not too late to enter a team into the tournament. The cost is $125 per team and according to Buffalo Place the teams are comprised of five players and each team is guaranteed to play at least three games (rain or shine). Team check-in starts at 8am and the games begin at 9am. Also, a bunch of swag will be handed out – each player will get a shirt and a hat, and trophies go to the winner of each division. From Buffalo Place:
Registration will close August 13th at 5:00 p.m. or when registration is full. Teams can visit Sabres.com to register and download the waiver form. For more information, contact the Street HockeyFest hotline at 716/855-4144 or visit www.sabres.com.