Ice hockey with an altitude

 

At the 9280 Pond Hockey Tournament, Mullen kids got to be just that … kids.

And they did so with everyone from youths not that far into grade school to adults more than 45 years old.

Over the past weekend, the Mustangs were skating on Keystone Lake along with approximately 200 groups who regard the game as quite large in their lives.

“It’s hockey at its grass roots,” Mustangs head coach Devon Brady said. “People were playing for the love of the game.”

It was a sweet set-up, Brady said. Ten rinks on the lake. Different divisons that added one for high schools. Teams consisted of six players. Play was 4-on-4. No goalies, just mini-nets No coaches. No referees. Teams played four games each. Games under the lights.

One of Mullen’s teams didn’t make the final rounds; the other was in the semifinals.

Think pickup basketball at a recreation center or on outside courts. Or sandlot baseball.

“It was a lot of fun and a great experience for everyone just to go up there and play some hockey,” Mustangs left wing Ian MacDougall said. “It was a nice change of pace to go to the mountains and have some fun.”