CREEDE– Twenty-four teams representing four states and several communities across Colorado competed in what many said was one of the largest Pond Hockey tournaments ever played here Saturday and Sunday.

Broken into ‘A’ and ‘B’ leagues based on experience, top honors went to the “Ice Holes” from Lakewood, Colo. and Flagstaff, Ariz. winning the ‘A League’ over the “Butterholes” from Denver. Creede’s own San Juan Sports dropped the ‘B League’ final to “Shut Your 5 Hole” from Thornton.

The other two semi-final teams in the ‘A League” were the “Loose Balloon Knots” from Durango and the “Dreadwings” from Michigan. Durango’s “Benders” and the “Wapiti Warriors” from Monte Vista were the other two semi-finalists in the ‘B League.”

The tournament is sponsored annually by Tommyknocker’s Tavern and other local businesses.

It wasn’t always easy to keep your feet on the ponds on the north end of Creede as a player watches the team from Detroit, Mich. keep the puck away.

Brian Brittian, left, of the Pond Hockey sponsoring Tommyknocker’s Tavern, checks on the Zamboni during a break in the action Saturday.