There is something magical about playing hockey outdoors. The frigid temperatures can somehow be invigorating and shooting pucks within the confines of nature can be intoxicating. Perhaps, that is why the NHL brings the game outside once a year for its "Winter Classic," which has been a tremendous success for the league.
Jim Campbell of brought a touch of the Winter Classic to his backyard on Appletree Lane. For three weekends, he worked tirelessly to make a mini-rink for his sons, James,14, Duncan,12, Ian,10, and Kevin,8, to play on. He did all the woodwork, installed NHL-style plexi-glass, then filled it with nearly 28,000 gallons of water. On Monday morning, the Campbell's and their friends skated on the rink for the very first time.
"It's fun to play out on the ice and we don't have to travel," said James, a freshman at "We were up at 7 a.m. and we've been playing almost the entire day."
Find out what's happening in Norwalkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The backyard rink is 35 feet by 55 feet and is 1-3 feet deep in certain areas because it's built on a slope. There are no lines to deal with or skating rules to go by. They make up their own.
"It's a lot more laid back. We can just go out and play hockey," said Chris Gatt, who is also a freshman at Brien McMahon High. "It's not like going to pay at an open skate at a rink. We just go right out and have fun."
Find out what's happening in Norwalkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In a day and age where many kids spent a great deal of time playing video games and surfing the Internet, the rink can be the magnet that pulls them away from all that.
"We love the rink, it's old-time hockey," said Katie Campbell, mother of James. "It's gets the kids out of the house. They can get off the X-box and play outside. It's a lot of fun."
