Pond Hockey on the Rock returns to Sudbury
The orange balls were out and the sticks were kept on the ice as Pond Hockey on the Rock returned to Sudbury.
All of this cold weather couldn't slow down hockey enthusiasts who came out for a weekend of fun.
"Our goalie played wonderfully, our team played beautifully and we'll just get pucks deep in the third," said Julia Williams, captain of the Pure Country 91.7 team.
"You know, we're going to every game with a clear mind set and in the end, just having some fun. That's what it's all about," said Josh Corbett, their morning show co-host.
Some of the teams participating are playing for fun, some are taking it seriously; all though left with smiles.
Thirty teams in total laced up their skates to take part in this year's fundraiser for Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC) and Camp Quality Northern Ontario.
"So far so great,” said Dan Denoble, one of the festival’s organizers.
"We got games going on at three rinks right now so we have simultaneously at Robinson, Delki Dozzi and Northern Hockey Academy so thanks for them for hosting us and all the teams and volunteers. It's a great start so far."
It had been a couple of years since organizers were able to hold the festival because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Things gradually got warmer on Saturday.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"We help people in need and we help people in Greater Sudbury and beyond … it's just a great way to give back," said Corbett.
"You know a lot of people don't realize that children get cancer too and the children in our region - really do need the support," said Andrea Fortin of NOFCC.
Participants told CTV News that the key to success appeared to be having fun and staying warm.
"Oh so far so good - it's decent weather. It's snowin' a little bit but at least it's not too chilly today and it was a big game for D-5 so we're pretty happy to be taking that one home," said Jonah Lynott, a member of the D-5 team.
Tournament play continues until Sunday.
For more information on the festival, visit their Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.

Special rapporteur David Johnston’s office hired crisis communications firm Navigator
Special rapporteur David Johnston has hired crisis communications firm Navigator, his office confirmed on Friday.
Here's what Nova Scotia's wildfires look like from outer space
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
Air Canada should face more consequences after two disruptions in a week, consumer advocate says
An airline consumer advocate says Air Canada should face tougher consequences for stranding passengers after two disruptions in a week.
Canada's 'unprecedented' fire season linked to climate change, will be the new normal: scientists
At the moment, wildfires are burning across six provinces and one territory in Canada — and they’re still spreading in what’s being called an unprecedented fire season. While firefighters work tirelessly to battle the merciless flames and prevent further destruction, scientists say the wildfires are linked to climate change and that this will be the new normal.
'Utterly disgusting': Canadian Army sergeant fined for 'anti-Jewish' comments
A 38-year-old sergeant in the Canadian Army was fined $3,000 and issued a severe reprimand after he made what a military judge described as 'utterly disgusting' anti-Jewish comments while conducting an infantry training course in 2021.
Experts warn of 'rapid' growth of IBD as number of Canadians diagnosed set to reach 470K by 2035
The number of people in Canada with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly and is expected to grow to 470,000 by 2035, according to a new report from Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
'Many, many lives turned upside down' by wildfires: N.S. premier
Nova Scotia’s premier says the “historic” wildfires in the province have caused a “breath-taking amount of damage.”
Trudeau raises Poland's democratic backsliding as prime minister visits Toronto
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he raised concerns about reports that LGBTQ2S+ rights and democracy are under threat in Poland during a Friday visit with its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Toronto.