PHOTOS: At Greenwich Skating Club Opening Night, Zamboni Race Decides Winner in “Chuck-A-Puck” Tie

Greenwich Skating Club held its 2018 Opening Night celebration this Saturday, complete with skating, a pizza truck from Colony Pizza, tons of food from Corbo’s, the annual Chuck-A-Puck competition, and mini zamboni racing.

Hockey and figure skaters alike filled the outdoor rink to celebrate opening night and participate in the events.

The outdoor rink, recently renovated, was open to skaters beginning at 4:00pm. Skaters of all ages and experience-levels glided around the rink while listening to music over the speakers. On the far side of the club, pizza, hotdogs, and hamburgers were being served. Attendees came dressed in their Greenwich Skating Club gear to show their pride, wearing everything from hockey jerseys to Wings hats.

Skaters at the Greenwich Skating Club Opening Night Party. Photo: Avery Barakett

Skaters at the Greenwich Skating Club Opening Night Party. Photo: Avery Barakett

Colony Pizza was popular at the Greenwich Skating Club Opening Night Party. Photo: Avery Barakett

The first event, Chuck-A-Puck, is a club favorite in which competitors throw or slide a puck towards center ice. The puck that comes the closest to the faceoff dot wins a GSC bag and other goodies.

Lee Milazzo explained the rules for the Chuck-A-Puck contest. Photo: Avery Barakett

When all the pucks were thrown, Richard Fulton, one of the club’s board leaders, found that two pucks were touching the center dot!

Lee Milazzo, another board leader, declared a tie between pucks #35 and #67.

To settle the tie, the first ever in club history, Mr. Fulton announced that there would be a zamboni race.

At Greenwich Skating Club opening night, competitors tossed their pucks towards center ice. Photo: Avery Barakett

Elizabeth Higgins, the thrower of puck #67, was represented in the zamboni race by her brother James Higgins, while Nick Warden, the thrower of puck #35, raced his own zamboni.

Beginning at one end of the ice, Richard Fulton announced that the first person to complete a full lap of the rink would be the overall winner of the Chuck-A-Puck competition.

Competitors skate / walk to the center dot to see the winning pucks. Photo: Avery Barakett

Competitors gathering around Richard Fulton as he reads the numbers of the two winning pucks. Photo: Avery Barakett

Competitors step forward to claim their pucks

Competitors step forward to claim their pucks. Photo: Avery Barakett

James Higgins after hearing his number called. Photo: Avery Barakett

Nick Warden (left) and James Higgins (right) ready their zambonis

Nick Warden (left) and James Higgins (right) ready their zambonis. Photo Avery Barakett

Nick and James push their zambonis around the rink while friends cheer them on

Nick and James push their zambonis around the rink while friends cheer them on. Photo: Avery Barakett

Nick and James nearing the finish line while other competitors watch from the benches

Nick and James nearing the finish line while other competitors watch from the benches. Photo: Avery Barakett

The race began with both participants using their controllers, but when one of the controllers stopped working, both competitors were told to push the mini zambonis around the rink. The crowd erupted with cheers as the two boys began to skate towards the finish line. It was a close race, but Nick Warden crossed the line a second before James Higgins.

Elizabeth Higgins holds her winning puck (#67) and her prize, a GSC bag

Elizabeth Higgins holds her winning puck (#67) and her prize, a GSC bag. Photo: Avery Barakett