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Boot hockey's popularity flourishes
By Matt Jarolimek
 Media Credit: Ching Fung Goalie Jeff Buck blocks the puck Monday night in the National Hockey Center during a boot hockey league game.
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It's a game where the jerseys are more reminiscient of the pre-Emilio Estevez Mighty Ducks rather than our Div. I Huskies, and teams are put together based on friendships rather than athletic talent.
Boot hockey has become one of SCSU's most popular intramural sports.
For those who are not in the know, boot hockey is a fast-paced game played on half an ice rink between teams who are prohibited from wearing skates. Some other basic rules according to Campus Recreation Supervisor Steve Heine are: no fighting, no disrespect to the officials, no alcohol or chewing tobacco. The aforementioned rules are grounds for being kicked out of the game and/or league.
Although some contact is allowed, it is limited to what is considered incidental contact. Because of the lack of pads, no blatant checking is permitted. However, in the first game of the season Monday night, the game was anything but bruise-free. In fact, it seemed that the best and most physical defender was the ice itself. Fast breaks ending up with a slide into the boards, and three-on-ones leaving the goalie laughing as all the opposing forwards went skidding, are all highlights of boot hockey.
The games are played with two 15 minute halves. During these, substitutions can be made on the fly. The goalie, however, must remain during the half.
However, the goalies do not have an easy job. Most are only armed with an old baseball glove, although a few have the traditional hockey equipment of the glove and blocker, but no leg pads are allowed.
"It was really cool and fun. We got our butts kicked out there, but we had a blast." said first-year SCSU student Justin Turkowski, who had some trouble staying on his feet. "I really need to get some new shoes."
Turkowski's feelings were echoed by the smiles and laughs of his teammates. The intramural spirit runs high on the rinks of the National Hockey Center. Boot hockey, like all intramurals at SCSU, is sponsored by Campus Recreation. Besides boot hockey, they offer a variety of intramurals ranging from volleyball to indoor soccer. All of the intramural sports are highly participated in by the students, but according to Heine, boot hockey seems to be one of the campus favorites.
"Everyone is out to have a good time," Heine said. "I look forward to this season every year."
As comical to watch as it is fun to play, boot hockey provides something for everyone at the National Hockey Center practice rink from 9 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday. The game is a constant reminder of the love of winter sports in the upper Midwest. It goes to show that with a stick, some shinpads, a helmet and some tennis shoes, anyone can learn to play the beautiful, blooper-filled sport of boot hockey.
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