Road Hockey in San Juan del Sur

With the number of Canadians living in San Juan del Sur, it was only a matter of time before road hockey blasted on to the scene.

The NHL (Nicaraguan Hockey League) inaugural game was played on Canada Day 2008. The Canadian bar flies that frequent Big Wave Dave's had arranged for some Canadian ex-pats to bring down enough plastic hockey blades to field two teams: Canada vs The World. The rest of the equipment could have been taken from an episode of Gilligan's Island. The nets were constructed from bamboo and the netting from vegetable bags. One goalie wore a motorcycle helmet while the other wore shin guards crafted out of baking pans. Team World (primarily Americans) showed their lack of experience by showing up in flip-flops (big no no), army boots (again no), and jeans! Team Canada looked jaunty and sporty in sneakers and shorts. Team Canada won handily and was awarded a large and very heavy marble Stanley cup replica with a duck on top (the Stanley Duck) which apparently was made for a Canadian ex-pat the year the Mighty Ducks won!

Since the first game, games have been held approximately once every 6 weeks. Canada (and once when the World couldn't come up with 5 players, Team BC) has confidently defended the Stanley Duck. I noticed the "Duck" in Repubika the other day which is appropriate as the owner, Canadian Chris, regularly shows games from the other NHL.

The equipment has also evolved as Canadians on trips back home collect "real" goalie equipment, more blades, hockey tape, etc.

If you are traveling through San Juan del Sur, please feel free to join the game. Notice of the games is generally posted at Big Wave Daves or pop in to ask Chris at Republika.

(Go Sens Go)