Pond Hockey Classic 2020
 

I know we are a few weeks out from the 2020 PHC, but wanted to see if anybody believes there will be issues with the ice being properly frozen for this years tournament? It's one of my favorite winter wknds at the lake, but judging by the weather in Boston it feels like maybe we should start to worry a little bit?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

I did a search for a web cam for Meredith Bay for the same concern and came up empty? Can anyone point to a site?


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As of last weekend there was some open water on Meredith Bay. The weather this week into next doesn't look like it's going to be cold enough.

did a search yesterday for a cam, I was very surprised not to be able to find one.

I've been searching for a few years for a cam pointed at Meredith Bay, no luck. After this weekend it looks like the weather is going to turn. Hope there's enough time.
Attachment 15553

Can anyone post pictures of Meredith Bay and Lake Waukewan? Half my team is coming from Florida. I want to let them know if they should pack life jackets in their hockey bags. I’m hoping there already is a layer of ice and it is now building thickness with the cold weather in the forecast. The wind in MA prevented a freeze over last night on much smaller ponds.


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Two weeks ago Waukewan was frozen over but Meredith Bay still had some open water. With all the warm weather I'm sure it's not anymore but we are going to have a streak of cold weather now so Waukewan should be good. We'll have to wait and see about Meredith Bay.

I would hate to make assumptions especially with players coming all the way from Florida. I am sure one nice forum member can pass by both and post some photos. I would but will not be up until late next week.

its happening either or Waukewan or the bay, Me thinks they are trying to hold onto Meredith as long as possible before having to make the decision to move it. and I hope they wait up until the last minute it is so much better out on the bay

I was told by a source that the bay had 4-5 inches in most spots earlier in the week, and there is not enough open water for the wind to break up and with the cold we should be good to go

just still might be open water near Eagle Island down near the weirs

They hold out as long as possible but significant snow shortens the window as there is more prep time of the rinks

If the bay is locked in and has 4-5” as you say, I cannot see why the hockey tournament would not occur there. It’s brutally cold out now and for the next week anyway which will certainly drastically increase ice thickness in a short time!

Dan

I got here last night and there were no ice houses on waukewaun and no one on the ice, That tells me it's not safe. When I was here 2 weeks ago there were people out there fishing but no huts. I haven't seen Meredith Bay yet.

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Wrong thread may want to delete and repost in the correct section. [emoji4]


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No one ice fishing on Meredith Bay yet either. Not safe yet, I guess.

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Thanks for the update on Waukewaun and Meredith


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Ice in thread shows the bay and the whole lake now locked in

I am hoping we are gtg!!!!

A friend that lives in the area just sent me this picture of the PHC crew clearing snow on Meredith Bay today!

PHC Update
 

As of right now, the tourney is on. All of the teams received this email last night.

The condition of the ice has been variable, at best, and we have chosen not to give daily, or even weekly updates because the fact of the matter is, ice conditions the last few weeks have changed by the hour. As of today, we are enthusiastic and optimistic about the forecasted temperatures, and therefore are moving forward with load-in on Meredith Bay. The Ice Ops are doing everything in their power to make it so we can drop the puck on the 11th Annual Labatt Blue New England Pond Hockey Classic.

With that said, there could very likely be some changes and/or restrictions made to our normal tournament weekend schedule. Please note that any and all changes made to the schedule or tournament play; as well as ice guidelines, are all made with the safety of our participants and spectators in the forefront of our mind. We ask that you bear with us and roll with the punches (may there be any), as we continue our love-hate relationship with Mother Nature.

At this point, we advise you to only bring yourself and your hockey equipment onto the ice. This means NO VEHICLES, NO TRAILERS, NO SHANTY'S AND NO BOB-HOUSES. The tournament will not occur without the compliance from our participants. This will be a year to limit your footprint on the ice and instead enjoy your time in town at many of the local bars & restaurants.

Things will be a bit different this year, but hopefully we can skate. Fingers crossed!

PCTim
what you would classify this as?
https://www.geteskimo.com/Product/fatfish-9416i-2524

was trying to figure it out last night, i wouldn't call that a shanty or a bobhouse and brings little to no weight

also with mid 30s at best this week during the day, and single digits to low 20s at night, I think it will get a lot thicker quick, or am I pipe dreaming it??

a source involved says they have measurements of 8-10 inches of ice as of yesterday

Was it a man or woman who measured the 8-10 inches of ice.... That might be an actual 8-10 inches or really 3-5 inches :laugh:

Can’t see it. But, just hoping they are not holding off until Thursday when rooms will be guaranteed and no refunds given


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To answer your first question, I don't know. But, if you read the sentence before it says At this point, we advise you to only bring yourself and your hockey equipment onto the ice. which tells me A they don't want you bringing anything onto the ice and B, they probably don't want us hanging out on the ice all day if we can help it.

As far as your pipe dream? From what I've read and been told, if the conditions are close to perfect, around an inch of ice can be formed overnight. 3 nights = 3 inches. So maybe. I also heard that while there was 8-10", when the rain came through last weekend, the top 3 or 4 inches turned to slush. So, who knows? I'm not there so I don't know. As of right now I'm planning on heading up Thursday afternoon.

agreed, but at the same time they do not own the ice, as always do my/your own ice thickness checking

It depends on what tool of measurement is used. :D

Now now gentleman, let's not be accused of posting like iceholes... ;)

I think I resemble that remark. :eek:

PHC Update
 

For those heading to Meredith this weekend.
https://www.pondhockeyclassic.com/ph...p-restrictions

It's game on!

Conditions
 

I have a feeling the ice conditions could be as good as ever. As the ice gets thicker and expands I'd think more cracks are created. With no snow, and less cracks, could this be perfect conditions??? (aside from not having the fun food shacks and beer tent right on the ice)

Lago's is not setting up on the ice? :(

I would agree and what I have heard from some is that the ice is very very smooth, i will miss not having the tents and that hang out feel that is a big part of it

It may be right now, but if it's soft it'll get cut up fast and be very hard to repair.

Good luck to anyone playing!

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Accepting "Thinks" thoughts, I interpret your message as meaning the food tents,
and the opportunities to buy delicious (off-diet) "fair food", and hang out with friends!

Yeah, this is a GREAT event!

So can anyone report on how the Pond Hockey Tournament went? I couldn't make it this year but I was hearing that they were worried about the safety of the ice.

it was still a good time, but not as good as years past, all due to the ice. Teams left early, games were called, but the best was made out of and was a really really good time, can't wait till next year!!

in speaking with Fish and game, who were testing the ice multiple times a day, it is variable thickness 8-14 inches depending on where you were, and it could vary in a little at 15 feet in any direction

Why did some teams leave early and were games called because teams left early?

Some left because of the ice conditions and some just don't bother playing after saturday even if they make it to the playoffs, and then some that made it to Sunday playoffs did not show, or left mid playoffs so some teams got into playoffs and had free rides into some rounds of the playoffs.

Saturday afternoon on rinks that it was really bad the organizers offered for the teams to play without skates on or if they teams wanted to do a shootout from half ice to determine a winner.

They should not allow those teams back in the tournament next year. They took spots from teams that wanted to play and then again some other teams took playoff spots away from teams that would have probably stayed and played.

Saturday afternoon the ice was the worst but Sunday morning it was better than Saturday

Don’t understand your anger towards the players. The conditions were subpar and dangerous. As I noted earlier in the week It should have been canceled. But, when money is involved sometimes the wrong choose is made.


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Not an anger, just a statement, if you commit then you should follow through, the ice conditions were safe to be out on the ice and were closely monitored as mentioned above. Personal safety is everyone's prerogative.

I absolutely agree. If you take a spot in this very popular event show and fail to complete your games or make the playoffs and fail to show for those games they should never be allowed back.

This happened this season to my sons travel team and the opponent and their entire organization are now banned from any tourment put on by the this particular organization

in our tier:
knew of one team that made the playoffs, 4 out of the 8 guys left on Saturday night, and so played round 1 with 4 guys, they won, and then three of the guys packed up and left, giving the team they were supposed to play a bye through the quarter finals. another team just left after winning the first game as well. so 2 teams out of the 4 in the semifinals walked through the quarterfinals, while four other teams played it out to be one of the two remaining spots in the semifinals.

That is extremely disrespectful to the other people that came to compete and complete a tournament. No one goes to a hockey tournement to get a free pass into another round. Its all about playing the games and having fun not bailing out early. If you cannot stay the entire weekend then dont come at all. Really annoys me.

Pond Hockey Classic 2020
 

This thread could get unpleasant in a hurry, but I urge you all to read the post by WinnisquamZ posted at 11:23 AM today (2/3/2020) in which the point is made: " But, when money is involved, sometimes the wrong choose (sic) is made." I would add my own two cents worth by including alcohol in the mix.

I would add that the organization risks losing teams if things are not run correctly.

It is not out of the realm of possibilities for teams to decide that they do not want to return next year if the competition bails out after the first or second round of competition. Perhaps if a team quits mid-playoffs they are suspended for a season or two.

The conditions must've been poor for the organizers to offer players to play without skates—I'd probably have bailed, too.

If, however, people—as a trend—show up planning to only play one day or whatever, then maybe there should be a rule about future registration.

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Anyone at the second pond hockey tournament can give an update on how it's going? It was pretty cold Friday night!

It starts the 21st.

Saw people skating on the “rinks” this afternoon when we drove through.


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