Bob Ring of the La Nordiques skates away from Sami Haikala of Karhukopia during their game at the Houhai Pond Hockey Tournament on January 18. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Beijing's scenic lake district Houhai is a tranquil place during the day in winter, attracting fisherman, elderly people practicing tai chi and even the odd brave swimmer. But last Friday night the frozen lake was converted into a rough-and-tumble playground for ice hockey players competing in the second annual Houhai Pond Hockey Tournament.

The two-day tournament featured more than 120 players comprising expats and Chinese alike who competed in 14 teams, including some from Shanghai and Dalian, Liaoning Province. Four-on-four games were divided into 12-minute halves, with 15-centimeter-high untended goals challenging players' shooting ability.

One of Friday's six games saw Überraschung, a team of Americans, Canadians, Swedes, Germans and a Finn who sported blue plaid shirts and brown lederhosen, take on the Goons, who were mostly Canadians clad in red-and-black jerseys. 

The Goons took an early lead when the game's opening goal was scored by Graham Thompson, who celebrated by raising his stick in one hand and a beer in the other. Überraschung would strike back, however, winning the game 5-2.

The final played on Saturday afternoon saw outsiders the Shanghai Shockers thrash last year's champions the East Coasters 9-3.

Competition intrigues locals

Despite Beijing being shrouded in smog on Friday evening, the haze didn't deter a spirited dozens-strong crowd from flocking to small rinks sealed off by wire fencing at Houhai. The family-friendly atmosphere was jovial on and off the rink, with fun being the main objective of the competition that lacked any of the fist fights many normally associate with the sport.

Day games attracted some Chinese spectators, many drawn to the action away from an adjacent rink of ice skaters. Night games played from 7 pm to 10 pm were more popular, with at least 50 Chinese spectators avoiding the tempting warmth inside neon-lit bars to instead watch games.

Xu Mengxi, who skates at Houhai up to three days per week during winter, was among curious spectators on Friday. "Ice hockey is obviously not popular in China compared to, say, table tennis, in which Chinese athletes dominate on the world stage and common people play at leisure," noted Xu, a 26-year-old tattooist.

Another spectator, who only gave his surname as Ding, watched three Friday night games intently. He said players made the sport look easy.

"I'm a beginner skater. This is my first time even wearing skates," he said, slightly embarrassed. "I know [ice hockey] looks smooth and seamless, but it must be a misconception. I don't know how they control the puck at such fast speeds."

Ding said he had checked the Beijing International Ice Hockey League's website for details on tournament fixtures, but had felt frustrated that it was only available in English.

"I wouldn't know where to start if I wanted to contact league administrators or participate in a game. I think the quickest way to pick up the game is by playing with those guys, who seem really professional," he said.

An Überraschung player with his son. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Homegrown talent kept on ice

Houhai Pond Hockey Tournament organizer Curtis Dracz said this year's only disappointment apart from his East Coasters' grand final defeat was the relatively low turnout of native players.

"Compared to last year's outdoor tournament, there were fewer Chinese players participating this year. We only had 10 to 15 Chinese players," said Dracz.

One of the few Chinese who laced up the skates for the tournament was Meng You, an ice hockey coach.

"I started playing ice hockey when I was 8 at my father's insistence. He determined my future career quite early in life," said Meng. "More and more children want to learn the sport in Beijing. Some gyms offer lessons, but there aren't many here."

Kevin Jiang, who played for the Puck Whisperers in the tournament, grew up in hockey-mad Canada where the sport is practically like a religion. Jiang, whose team finished fourth overall, said he would like to see more Chinese put aside their inhibitions and give ice hockey a go.

"I've played ice hockey in Beijing for three years. When I lived in Vancouver, I watched a lot of ice hockey games," said Jiang.

"Canadians have a strong preference for ice hockey over almost every other sport. Although Chinese hesitate about playing ice hockey because of its dangers, I don't think it's really as hazardous as many of them believe it to be. I'm an Asian and I play, so I think Chinese are totally qualified to give it a go." 

Kevin Jiang (left) of the Puck Whisperers competes during a game in the Houhai Pond Hockey Tournament on January 18. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Outdoor appeal

Pond hockey is woven into the fabric of Canadian culture, according to Dracz. "Just like North China, we have long, cold winters [in Canada] that result in many ponds, rivers and lakes freezing over. As soon as they freeze, we are out there for hours [playing ice hockey]," he said. "Outdoor games are less competitive and there are fewer rules."

Meng said he enjoyed the extra challenges of pond hockey that aren't encountered playing indoors.

"Outdoor games are usually harder because the rink is smaller and narrower. The weather is freezing, especially when you have powerful gusts of wind," he said.

Dracz said he chose to host the tournament at Houhai because of its surrounding restaurants, cafés and shops that offer nearby refuge to spectators wanting to escape the cold.

But was the success of this year's tournament enough to inspire more night hockey games in future?

"Absolutely," said Dracz. "I hope we can have a tournament that appeals to Chinese more in the future to grow their interest [in ice hockey]. Beijing has a great landscape and nightlife, so why not combine hockey with that?"