Prince George, B.C. – Over one hundred hearty souls wearing balaclavas under their hockey helmets are competing in the BC North Regional Pond Hockey Championships at West Lake this weekend.

Eighteen teams consisting of 6 players apiece kicked off the weekend event last night out at West Lake Provincial Park. Games resume at 9 this morning, continuing through to the finals tomorrow. There are no goalies, no offsides and no icing. Unfortunately there were no women’s divisions this year. Four rinks are set up on the lake, three for the hockey games and one for family skating. No problem with ice safety…it measured 19 inches thick on Wednesday. There are several burning barrels set up to keep you warm and the players have a super-heated changing area available.

A similar tournament, the Eastern Regionals, is being held February 3^rd to 5^th at Invermere. BC Pond Hockey organizer John Reed says its hoped a third location, maybe Jasper, will be added to the tournament line-up next year.