For the first time since I moved away from Cincinnati in 2003, I played hockey with my good friends Ken and Jon last night. I played hockey with them both while in high school and both of them were in my wedding party. They are playing a summer session of adult hockey with a team at the Northland Ice Center. I probably would have joined them for the entire session but my hockey equipment was trapped in storage somewhere waiting for our move-in day at our new house. Once our boxes were all unpacked, I told them I was ready to play. Their team had a game last night and needed substitutes, so I dusted off my equipment and found the old rink.

Nothing much has change at Northland, the first rink I played at in Cincinnati. Though the glass on top of the boards has been replaced as needed, the same old benches are still in the lobby, and the concessions looked the same as ten years ago. They do have some newer locker rooms, though I think those were completed before I left town years ago. The rink was really warm and the ice was really soft, which I am not a fan of. Regardless I had a blast playing hockey with my old friends once again.  We tried to play on a line together and succeeded for most of the game. All three of us had a goal in our 4-1 victory. The playoffs start next week and I believe I will be back on the ice with them!