Hockey, Eh?
One of the best advantages of winter is that when the temperature drops below freezing, ponds transform into hockey rinks. Whether you can barely skate (like me) or can shoot a 108.8 mile per hour slapshot (like Zdeno Chara), it is always fun to lace up the skates and dangle with the biscuit. There is something special about the process of testing the ice to make sure it will hold, sweeping off the snow, and playing a pickup hockey game with friends.
Although pond hockey is often lawless, the actual sport is played with teams usually consisting of four lines of three forwards, three pairs of defense-men, and two goalies. Since the game is so fast paced and physical, players often get into fights. This results in penalties where the players must sit in the “sin bin,” or penalty box, for an allotted time leaving their teams a man down. 
Hockey certainly is an exciting sport, and there are many memorable moments frozen in time. For example, few forget Bobby Orr’s “The Goal,” when he scored the Stanley Cup game winner and dove in celebration. The “Miracle on Ice” is a legendary story of a ragtag group of Americans defeating the mighty Soviets in the 1980 Olympics. While you may not be playing in the NHL any time soon, you can grab some gear at Shoebuy and hit the ice. As Gordon Bombay once said, “Quack. Quack. Quack…”
| The American 448 Ice Force 868 features anatomic boot construction with a nylon toe cover and double felt tongue. It has a ventilated outer sole and stainless steel blade, making it a comfortable and durable skate. |  |
| For girls, the American 540 Softboot is a fashionable hockey skate built for warmth and comfort. The boot is designed with cushy foam padding, a fiber lining, a speed lacing system with strap, and a multilayer ankle support. |  |
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For figure skaters, look no further than the Head 538. This white skate with gold trim features foam padding with fiber lining and a speed lacing system. It also has multilayer ankle support and hollow ground nickel plated blades. If you are going to attempt an iron lotus or a triple axle, you want these on your feet. |
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After a day of skating, it is nice to relax and unwind. Hockey fans can slip into this adjustable slide and be comfortable while representing their team. This sandal features a sculpted footbed and rubber outsole, providing protection and traction. |
| Lastly, Pangea provides a Stanley Cup Champions backpack to transport your hockey gear or schoolwork. This stylish backpack features a padded laptop compartment, organizer, zippered and hook-and-loop closure pockets, a top handle, adjustable straps, and a nylon back. |  |
Images courtesy of movieposter.com and sportsofboston.com.
