Energetic and rowdy fans gathered at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena to cheer on the ISU intramural hockey teams this past week. Games were held Tuesday through Thursday late at night on the ice.

Fast-paced skating with slapshot goals and some slipping and sliding took place on the ice. That’s because intramural hockey is broken up into four leagues of play.

“A” and “B” are the competitive levels where experienced players own the ice. Some of these players may have the potential to join the club hockey team, but choose to stick with intramurals because of the time commitment or their academic focuses.

The “C” league teams have one or two experienced players mixed in with some hockey newbies. These games are a little more laid back and tensions don’t rise to the same degree of the “A” and “B” levels.

“My team is more laid back,” said Jeffrey Makinster, senior in mechanical engineering, of the “C” league. “The game itself was pretty intense because we played a team with some experience.”

“D” league teams are mostly full of beginners with a desire to learn more about the sport.

The speed can pick up pretty quickly on the ice and it can get hectic. Players zoom their way across the ice to slap the puck into the net while some stay back and defend.

Other players slip trying to speed up or go for the puck. But the laidback and fun nature of the intramural action allows the game to continue without any shame or embarrassment.

“I’m just trying to look for open ice to shoot for while I’m out there,” said Karah Jones, senior in psychology, who has been playing hockey since third grade.

Linda Marticke, an intramural sports coordinator, said intramural hockey has some significant differences in the rules than club hockey. There is no checking and no icing.

There is also less equipment used in intramural hockey as opposed to club hockey on the Division I or Division III level. Some players may be out on the ice playing in jeans.

Another difference is the running clock with shorter, eight minute long periods.

The format for this intramural sport consists of two preliminary rounds where teams play to seek a seeding for the single-elimination tournament that follows. For the champions awaits an intramural champion T-shirt and bragging rights for a full year.

Intramural hockey shares the ice with the club hockey teams and other sports such as figure skating. With all the practices and games that take place at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena, intramural games can only be played late at night.

Games can go as late as 2 a.m.

“The late schedule is helpful for me because I am really busy during the day,” said Nathaniel Welshons, sophomore in music. “I probably wouldn’t be able to play if it was earlier in the day.”

Intramural sign-ups are now closed. But anyone who loves chilly conditions, high energy and fun competition is encouraged to search for a free agent position.