A Weekend of Hockey: Watching My Niece Play in Toronto

A Weekend of Hockey: Watching My Niece Play in Toronto

This past Friday, I had the chance to experience a different kind of fast-paced action—one that didn’t involve dodging traffic or capturing the perfect street moment. Instead, I found myself rink-side, camera in hand, as I watched my niece play in a hockey tournament in Toronto for the Puckhounds.

Hockey Through the Lens

It’s not every day that I get to photograph sports, so I saw this as a fun challenge. The dim lighting of the arena and the sheer speed of the game made for an exciting test of my skills. I brought my Sony camera and pushed my settings—high ISO, fast shutter speeds, and a steady hand—to freeze the action on the ice.

The Puckhounds, clad in their black, yellow, and white jerseys, skated onto the ice with determination. My niece, playing as number 10, was all focus, her eyes locked on the puck as she maneuvered past defenders.

The Energy of the Game

There’s something electric about watching a hockey game in person. The scraping of skates, the sharp passes, the sound of sticks clashing—it’s a whole different world compared to my usual quiet street photography walks. The crowd was alive, parents cheering, coaches shouting plays, and teammates calling for the puck.

One of the most intense moments came when my niece’s team was down by one goal with just a few minutes left in the game. The Puckhounds pushed hard, their offense relentless. My camera clicked rapidly as I captured shots of them battling for control, but despite their efforts, the other team held onto the lead.

A New Perspective on Photography

Shooting hockey required me to adapt quickly. Unlike street photography, where I can anticipate a scene unfolding at a more measured pace, hockey moves in an instant. I had to track players as they weaved through the defense, reacting to plays as they happened.

I walked away from the tournament with a new appreciation for sports photography and a deeper admiration for the effort young athletes put into their game. More importantly, I left with a collection of photos that captured the passion, intensity, and camaraderie of the sport.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. But next time, I might bring an even faster lens and a pair of gloves—because, as I learned the hard way, hockey rinks are cold!