No goalies, no boards to bounce pucks (or opposing players) against, no limping back to the bench. This, my friend, is pond hockey. It’s about as pure as the game can get: played outdoors on temporary rinks set up on frozen sheets of lake or river. Spectators sip their coffee — spiked with a shot of Canadian rye whiskey — as they cheer on their players.

Pop quiz for hockey heads: start with the energy and excitement of the National Hockey League during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Subtract the mega-stadiums, over-priced seats and souvenir jerseys. Take away the expensive egos-on-skates with a penchant for bad language and blood-letting. Minus the beer commercials and pay-per-view. What does that leave?