Holiday hockey rare but present across the region

While fans will notice a decrease in games between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, there are still some places to get your local hockey fix this year.

The Steinbach Pistons will be hosting a New Year’s Eve game this season, as they take on the Winnipeg Blues. The 6 p.m. start time is perfect for anyone planning on attending the Southeast Event Centre’s 80s-themed social later in the evening.

The Pistons also play an unusual Wednesday afternoon game against the Blues Jan 7. Puck drop is at 12:30 p.m. in Winnipeg at the Rink Training Centre.

The Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League has a full slate of games scheduled for Dec. 23, but the Morris-based Pembina Valley Twisters will be on the road against St Vital.

No local teams will be hosting South East Manitoba Hockey League games between Christmas and New Year’s, but Red River will be on the road in Morden Dec. 28. The league has seven games scheduled for this weekend, including games in Ile des Chenes (Dec. 19), Springfield (Dec. 20) and Red River (Dec. 21).

There are five games scheduled in the Hanover-Tache Junior Hockey League on Dec. 27/28. Ste Anne, Red River Springfield and East St Paul will all be hosting games.

The game between Macdonald and Springfield in Oakbank Dec. 28 is one to watch, as the Swarm and Xtreme are the top two teams in the league. Macdonald is undefeated so far this year, with Springfield only losing once in regulation this season.

Anyone looking to get in a skate will have an easier time of doing that, as the outdoor rink in Steinbach opened this week after a cold snap.

For a full schedule of hockey games and standings from across the region, be sure to check out the Carillon Sports Scoreboard every week on page B4 of the print edition of The Carillon.