NICKEL HOCKEY

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Begin by cutting a piece of 1/2"—or thickerplywood into a 16" X 24" rectangle (you can, of course, vary any of the measurements given here, but these dimensions are the ones that seem to work best for us).

Then, centered at each 16" edge, draw and cut out a 1-1/2"-high triangle with a 1-1/2" base. These openings are the goals that the coin puck will—on a good shot—fall into. With that done, fasten strips of 1 X 2 along the sides of the board, using nails, dowels, wood screws, or what have you. (Of course, the wooden walls will also serve to close in the goals at the back.)

That finishes the carpentry. To complete the board, you'll have to draw a red centerline with a felt-tipped marker, and you may then want to varnish the surface. (This step isn't absolutely necessary, but it will prevent spilled home brew from smearing the inked line.) As a final touch, perhaps you'll decide to put cardboard or cloth bottoms on the open goals. . . in order to catch the coins when the board is used on other than a flat surface.

To complete your game, you'll need a nickel and a pair of homemade hockey sticks. We simply carve (or cut, using a jig saw) the little swatters from 1/8" thick wood. You can get creative with the shape if you like, but it's best to standardize the length of the stick's "blade" at 1-1/2" (as you can imagine, a larger stick could give a player quite a defensive advantage).

RULES FOR THE UNRULY

During the first few weeks of use, my hockey board was subjected to an incredible amount of punishment. So, to keep the game—and our occasional weekend houseful of partying homesteaders and lumberjacks—under control, Alan and I established a few simple rules. (Again, these can be considered a starting point . . . you'll probably devise more regulations of your own as you become familiar with the game.)

Play begins with the flip of a coin. The winner of the toss then opens the game by shooting from anywhere on his or her side of the red centerline, while the other player, staying on the far side of the line, defends with the stick. (After a goal has been made, the player who didn't score returns the puck to play in the same manner.)

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