Harvey Stewart, the West Point Volunteer Fire Department’s fire chief, says the ice for the PEI Pond Hockey Championship is probably the best it’s ever been in the event’s eight year history.

The championship, to be held Feb 3-4, Friday and Saturday, is a major fundraiser for the West Point Fire Department. It will be held in a frozen pit behind the HF Stewart building, off Rte 14, in West Point.

The pond is 14 inches deep in most spots and is big enough to accommodate 10 games at once.

Mr Stewart said 38 teams were registered by Tuesday, Jan 31, up by three or four teams from last year’s registration. 

He went on to say the pit has been flooded at least a half a dozen times, with 3,000 gallons used at a time. Last weekend’s rains and mild weather also helped considerably, said Mr Stewart.

Lack of cold weather this time of year meant firefighters didn’t have to worry about “pressure cracks” forming on the ice.

“We’ve got excellent ice. It’s just about perfect,” said Mr Stewart.

He added about 600 pounds of potatoes will be provided, to be fresh cut into fries, at the venue.

On Monday firefighters were at the rink “planing it down” with a Zamboni, rendering the ice as flat as a mirror’s surface.

Mr Stewart said this year’s PEI Pond Hockey Championship will have a few new wrinkles, including new nets. In past years firefighters’ boots and a two by four plank comprised the goals. But this year organizers are moving to a “world hockey” style net, making it easier to record goals.

Last year’s event raised $5,000 to $6,000 for the fire department, a total organizers are optimistic they’ll improve on this year.