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Ice hockey, Houston-style
Ed Gavrila, Geno Pigati

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 info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Items are published on a space-available basis. 

Angie Frederickson is a writer and stay-at-home mom. When those worlds collide, she has been known to hide from her children in order to meet writing deadlines.

Ed Gavrila, Geno Pigati

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.