Ice hockey, Houston-style

Ed Gavrila and his grandson Geno Pigati found an unusual silver lining during Houston’s freezing temperatures: a game of ice hockey on an outdoor, frozen pond.

Ed Gavrila and his grandson Geno Pigati (pictured) found an unusual silver lining during Houston’s February freezing temperatures: a game of ice hockey on an outdoor, frozen pond. The 71-year-old grandfather, who is co-owner of the New York Deli & Coffee Shop and Bagel Shop Bakery, discovered that the koi pond in the Japanese garden at his residence near St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, was iced over. Ed, a Michigan native and hockey player, took Geno onto the ice, which was several inches thick. The pair played a competitive hockey game, with Ed wearing ice skates and Geno in Crocs, which ended in a 7-6 overtime win for Geno. The next day the pond thawed, and amazingly most of the fish survived. In the 40 years that Ed has played hockey, this was a day he will never forget. Ed’s neighbor, Tirey B. Counts, managed to record video of the hockey game from his balcony. Read more about their hockey adventure.

Editor’s note: The Buzz congratulates associate editor Jordan Steinfeld and her husband Matthew on the recent arrival of baby Sloane. Jordan is taking a short break to spend time with Sloane. In the meantime, Buzz writer Angie Frederickson is handling this column. As usual, please send your high-res photos and community news to [email protected]. Items are published on a space-available basis.