Sports

Warm weather isn't slowing down St. Cloud pond hockey tournament prep

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Jan 23, 2012 at 5:11 pm

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (KNSI) - Unexpectedly warm winter weather makes a lot of people happy, but not when you play hockey.

Gary Hines, who directs the Granite City Pond Hockey Championship in St. Cloud later this month, is not thrilled with the unseasonably warm temps.

POND HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP: Times, schedules and registration details for the 1st annual Granite City Pond Hockey Championship Jan. 20-22

Hines admits it doesn't feel like winter. More importantly, the recent mild weather has made it tough to get the needed 10 to 12 inches of pond ice. But Hines is confident the suddent arrival of ''real'' winter weather here should mean a good tournament at Lake George starting Jan. 20.

Kids as young as 5 years of age will participate in the first annual event, which Hines hopes will eventually expand.