by Murray Link
The month of September has brought some of best weather of the year with sunny and 30 degree days, which makes for some challenges when it comes to making ice in “old barns” like the Chesterville arena. The North Dundas Senior Rockets season opener that was scheduled for Sept 28 vs the Puagan Falls Rapids has been to be postponed due to poor ice conditions in the home team’s rink. While area farmers were harvesting corn silage and soybeans during the latest stretch of warm weather, township employees were turning on the compressors in the arena in expectation of having 2 inches of ice within the week. “The problem wasn’t the ice” stated Todd “Boner” Elliot, chief ice maker for the North Dundas Township. “The main issue was the humidity, which led the wooden beams in the rink to sweat and leave a brown checkerboard stain on the ice surface”.
With the forecast looking more seasonable over the next week, the ice surface will be ready to go for the “New” Rockets season opener date of Oct 5 vs the Glengarry Pipers, puck drop at 2:00. When asked about the game being postponed, Rockets owner Rob “Razor” Raistrick replied “I’ve heard from a lot of upset people who just want to watch their beloved Senior Rockets play, but this is a great scenario, the anticipation can build over the next week and the Oct 5 game is going to be outstanding.”
Both the Pipers and Rockets are both 1-0 in the season as each team won their first games of the year. For those who have yet to take in an EOSHL (Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League) game, this is your chance to watch some of the best hockey played by former pros in your own back yard. In addition to great hockey, fans can also enjoy a cold beverage in gossip corner and enter to shoot in the Home Hardware $25,000 shootout. The question is North Dundas: ARE YOU GOING TO THE GAME?! … see you on Saturday! Go Rockets Go!
