AVID HOCKEY PLAYERS GATHER AT RINK: PUTTING THE GAME ON ICE

By Christopher Howard

Players who arrived for the weekly pickup hockey game at The Ice skating rink in the Plaza Galleria on Thursday brought a variety of gear. They brought Franklin-brand chest pads, Heaton and Brians gloves, Heaton, Koho and Sher-wood sticks, Storm, SEMO and St. Louis Blues jerseys, carried in Heaton, Bauer and blue Itech oversized duffel bags.

At first, it looked like all that gear might not be used.

Shortly after 9 p.m., the eight who gathered debated if they had enough players to play a game, and, more importantly, if they had enough cash to cover the $130 rink rental fee.

"At times, there's 20-some people out here," explained Brent MacLean, the founder of the pickup league. "It usually dies off in the summer, but it picks up in October."

MacLean, who once played pro hockey in Finland, said, "The tough part is the hockey rink is not a full rink." There are no boards, so no checking. "We need a new rink in this town."

Considering the hockey enthusiasts in St. Louis and Memphis, Tenn., and Southeast Missouri State University, MacLean said Cape Girardeau is an untapped hotbed of hockey.

Norm Beck said, "Parents here aren't exposed to it. That's what it takes to be a hockey town. Here, they keep building soccer fields."

"Hockey," said Jason Trickey, "is my life."

Ral Wheeler added: "This is the greatest group there is. This is late enough at night for the adults to play. This is the only sport that exists. I don't even watch football anymore."

A few of the players said they could put up more than their fair cut of the $130, and it was decided a game would be played. MacLean collected the money and went to make the arrangements.

"I've been missing it for four months, so I'm not one of the fellas anymore," confessed Joey Browning of East Cape Girardeau, Ill., suiting up in the locker area. "I'm trying to get back into the swing of it."

Once dressed, the men joined Jeff Sippy, pastor of the New Hanover Lutheran Church, and the only female, Johnna Layer, a high schooler from Jackson, Mo., on the ice.

"It's interesting that girls play," said Southeast student and rink employee Ron Farrow. "It's interesting to see how they stand up against some of these guys. They do pretty good."

From rinkside, the only sound was the rush of oncoming skaters, then the slap of a puck against a stick.

MacLean's league has met Thursday nights at The Ice for 18 months. The league is open to the public.