Indoor hockey storms NW

By Jason Middlebrooks/ reporter

Team Green came out on top in NW Campus’ first venture into indoor hockey Nov. 19.

The event consisted of three classes participating in place of their cardio workouts. Despite attracting only two students outside the Saturday classes, intramural director Aaron Garcia considered the outcome a success.

“This is the first time we are presenting intramurals in this fashion,” said Garcia, who also acted as coach and referee. “We are releasing fliers and offering gifts for participating.”

The event started with two health classes taught by instructors William King and Sarah Matlock, divided into two teams. Team Green and Team Yellow were joined by gym staffers Tiffany Self and David Hooper.

Serving as goaltender, Self performed a number of impressive saves at the net for Team Green, once preventing a score by stopping the puck falling backward.

Johnathan Beltran, a student outside the health classes, was satisfied with his participation in the first two five-on-five games.

“I love it,” he said. “You know at the YMCA, there is kid soccer and football. I loved that stuff as a kid. As I got older, there were no leagues like indoor hockey or dodgeball that I can find for me. I love this.”

Beltran was on the winning side of both games with Team Green winning the first two games by scoring five first.

The third game started with students from King’s afternoon class and NW student Joel Martinez, who used the event to get a good cardio workout for himself.

“I’m a guy that likes being active,” he said.

Martinez said he would participate in the event again if it were to come back. He was also on Team Green and got the win after a four-run deficit.

The idea of indoor hockey was suggested by department chair Joshua Tarbay to provide more intramural options.

“We are trying to find out what works,” Garcia said. “We are taking it as we go. We just want the students to have fun. Next semester, we are going with what the students ask for. We are going to keep advertising, keep telling them this is what we have.”

The department will also try adding more events during the school week to provide more availability to students, Garcia said.