Hi all,

Me and a few buddies have been traveling from NJ to Montreal once a year to see our Devils take on your Canadiens at the Bell Centre. So far each year has been awesome. We've come to games on weekends, have spent the nights at bars on Crescent Street, and have played pond hockey with the locals. Much to your chagrin, we even got to see this happen a few years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xknU6X9qSk

This year, we're going to be making the trip (this weekend!) for the Dec. 17 game. As usual, we will be bringing our hockey gear as well. After speaking with a few Montreal fans at our game in New Jersey last Saturday, it seems apparent that the temperature may have not been cold enough yet for outdoor ponds/rinks to freeze.

So, here's where I'm looking for some help/advice from you guys. Do you know of any outdoor ice rinks/ponds that are frozen yet in the Montreal area? And, if not, can you recommend any indoor facilities that offer "open hockey" or pickup hockey? When is it normally offered, where, and how much gear is required?

Thanks a lot, and see you Saturday.