I grew up near LaFollette Park on the West Side. In the winter the gridiron was flooded for skating. My first and in fact only pair of skates were actually my sister's figure skates. I remember layering my feet with tube socks so the skates would fit my feet. (And if my sister reads this, no you're feet weren't that big, I was that small).
Attempting to curve my stick by putting it near the coal-fired furnace, buying tennis balls to use as hockey pucks and removing layers of socks as I grew, I continued to skate and play on the park infield.
My most memorable hockey moment
happened in Toledo at a Storm game against the Gwinnett Gladiators.
From the moment the crowd started booing during the National Anthem
to the final moments when the ice was covered with soft drinks, I
experienced the most intense fan interaction I've ever seen at any
hockey game.
In my writing I try to capture the spirit of the thing.