ice hockey is the national sport of Canada, with a pro league, the NHL, that enthralls many citizens...shinny is the amateur version, identifying street or pond hockey...the recent cold snap has meant that Jericho Pond ice was thick enough to support enthusiastic players...the parents here today, clearly more accomplished scrimmagers, were cool too, did not boss the kids, and allowed them to have a go...there could be a Gretzky or two among the youngsters after all...at any rate, everyone seemed to be having a good time