When you think of Altrincham ice hockey is probably not the first thing that comes to mind, but head there on a Friday or Saturday night and you’ll come across one of the most exciting and thrilling events in the region.
Planet Ice transforms into the Storm Shelter - as it’s affectionately known by fans - filled with cheesy music which would give 42s a run for its money, greasy food and incredible ice skating.
Ice hockey isn’t just a sporting event, it’s a spectacle. There’s intense speed, sudden stops which see ice being sprayed at the turn of a blade, and, occasionally, even fighting.
Yet despite how aggressive the sport can get (who can blame the players for throwing themselves at each other when they’re covered head to toe in protective padding) there’s an element of elegance to it.
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The players glide across the ice effortlessly. And then, to make you feel even more inadequate, they do it again but backwards! If that’s not impressive, I don’t know what is.
A game is split up into three periods lasting 20 minutes each, which leaves you with plenty of time to indulge in the entertainment the Storm Shelter has to offer.
Get there early and head straight for the food counter. Yes, the vibe of the rink is a little dated but that’s part of the charm, you’re here for the hockey not for a gourmet dining experience.
Take your pick from pizza, hot dogs and chips. A top tip is to ask for a chip barm, it’s no longer on the menu board so ask at the counter and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Refreshments are a must, from the usual range of softies to jugs of beer you can take to your seat, there’s everything you could want. And no shame if you want to turn to a hot beverage instead - after all it is actually quite cold in there (scarf and a hat are recommended, Manchester Storm branding optional).
Once you’re loaded up with snacks and drinks, head to your seat and take in the pre-game atmosphere while the zamboni resurfaces the ice and the lights are dimmed.
It all begins with the face-off, where the referee drops the puck between the two opposing players, who have to snatch it for their team.
From this point onwards the most important thing you have to do as a spectator, and as the commentator will remind you, is to keep your eyes on the puck.
The game itself is incredibly fast-paced, but it's easy to follow, which is what makes it so accessible. The concept of hitting a puck into the opposing goal seems simple, but add in the drama of penalties and you’ll be on the edge of your seat.
If you don’t know the ins and outs of ice hockey some of the terms for penalties are a little baffling: slashing, boarding, hooking, charging and even interference, to name but a few.
The referees and linesmen, of which there are four altogether, have their work cut out too. Keeping a close eye on the players while staying safely out the way, dodging the speedy puck - all while ice skating. I once watched one efficiently jump up to avoid a stick - they aren’t even the athletes here but that’s still impressive.
Every time the play stops when there’s a penalty or a dispute the DJ lightens the mood with a quick burst of music, sometimes after a fight this may be a snippet of I Fought The Law by the Clash - but while things can get very competitive, the Storm Shelter does not take itself too seriously.
One particular highlight is when Storm score, you’ll notice regular fans celebrate with their own quirky dance, while the commentator announces ‘gooooaaaallll for Manchester Storm’. It’s a great people-watching experience and Storm fans are certainly passionate for their team.
At the far end of the stands sit the away fans, always small in number yet big in personality; expect drums, bright jerseys and a lot of scarf-waving. Supporters of the Sheffield Steelers are particularly guilty of this.
Breaks provide a great chance to stock up on more food and drink, and this is when the Storm Shelter offers up another quirky activity - chuck-a-puck.
This entails buying a puck at the start of the game with a raffle ticket on it, and throwing said puck at the Manchester Storm mascot, Lightning Jack, who stands in the centre of the rink- while the Countdown theme tune plays.
The one that lands closest wins a prize and the satisfaction of successfully lobbing a piece at a huge yellow head with scary looking eyebrows (if you do want a photo with Lightning Jack he’s always wandering around during breaks).
The end of the game sees the winning team and man of the match declared, and depending how it went, some disappointed Storm players gliding glumly towards the locker room, or some celebratory laps around the ice, but it’ll leave you feeling exhilarated regardless and eager to return to the next game.
As the nights draw in there’s something special about heading down to the Storm Shelter, tucking into some tasty food and watching people skate around on wafer-thin pieces of metal on rock hard ice. I know which side of the plexiglass barrier I’d rather be on.
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