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
Canada makes amendments to foreign homebuyers ban – here's what they look like
Months after Canada's ban on foreign homebuyers took effect on Jan. 1, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has made several amendments to the legislation allowing non-Canadians to purchase residential properties in certain circumstances.

'Leave this with me': Alberta premier heard on call with COVID-19 protester
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, in a leaked cellphone call, commiserated with a COVID-19 protester about his trial while divulging to him there was an internal dispute over how Crown prosecutors were handling COVID-19 cases.
What is the grocery rebate in federal budget 2023? Key questions, answered
To help offset rising living expenses, the Government of Canada has introduced a one-time grocery rebate for low- and modest-income Canadians. Here is what we know about the rebate.
Spending to increase economic capacity is fiscally responsible, Freeland says in post-budget defence
Defending her latest federal budget, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said spending that increases economic capacity is fiscally responsible.
Victim of Vancouver stabbing had asked man not to vape near toddler, says grieving mom
The family of a 37-year-old man who was stabbed to death in Vancouver last weekend says he was attacked after asking someone not to vape near his young daughter.
From royal titles to animal testing: The law changes coming in the budget bill
The 2023 federal budget released this week includes a series of affordability measures, tax changes, and major spends on health care and the clean economy. But, tucked into the 255-page document are a series of smaller items you may have missed.
opinion | Don Martin's sorry-to-be-cynical prediction on the federal budget
The only thing most Canadians will remember about the budget this time next week is how the booze tax increase was reduced to two per cent from six, writes Don Martin in a column for CTVNews.ca.
RCMP interviewing Canadians held in detention camps in Syria: sources
CTV News has learned that RCMP officers are currently in northeast Syria, interviewing Canadians held in detention camps in order to bring them back to Canada. The three Mounties have so far interviewed only Canadian women in Al-Roj camp.
Actress Melissa Joan Hart describes helping children flee campus after Nashville school shooting
Actress Melissa Joan Hart says she was near Nashville's Covenant School soon after Monday's deadly shooting of six people, including three children, and helped some students get away from the scene.