Playing for the Stanley Cup, road hockey style

That goalie equipment from the 1970s doesn't fit John Metropolyt the way it used to.

In a Jofa helmet with the padding cut to better accommodate his head, some green pads that looked like they'd taken more than 100,000 shots, and tiny shoulder pads that offer the same protection as a section of the newspaper, the 40-year-old made his return to street hockey on Saturday.

"I play road hockey about once every six or seven years," said a grinning Metropolyt. "OK, that's generous. Less than that."

But he dusted off the old equipment — he's had it since Grade 6 — to participate in the Oshawa chapter of the Official Canadian Street Hockey Tournament, Play On!

The Hockey Night in Canada event took over downtown streets in Oshawa and Vancouver this weekend, two of 12 cities hosting tournaments before a national showdown featuring the champions in each area at a city to be announced later.

In each city, almost one kilometre of street is closed off for a full weekend and 15-30 street rinks are opened up for four-on-four street hockey, complete with referees and curbs for boards.

The tournament features divisions for men, women, kids and co-ed teams with a whole range of hockey experience.

"It's such a fun time," said 19-year-old Amanda Heydon, whose team, the Dangles, went 3-0 on Saturday. "The best part is there's no cars, so you don't have to go 'Car!' and move the net."

The tournament started in Halifax in 2003 with a little more than 100 teams, and now includes thousands across the country. In Edmonton alone this year, 352 teams participated in Play On!

The Oshawa event is the smallest tourney across the country, and the home of the defending national champion Bulls.

"Teams just don't want to play us, that's why it's so small," said a grinning Craig Marshall. "We were all joking about that. They must be scared of us."

The Bulls made it to the national final of the tourney two years ago, and last year won the title, earning the coveted Redwood Cup as national champions.

"We'd all grown up dreaming of being Stanley Cup champions, so winning last year, this became our Stanley Cup," said Marshall. "It was amazing."

The defenceman said their key to victory is competitiveness and a solid goaltender between the pipes. Andrew Platt, known in the street hockey world as Chevy, was a goalie for Canada's national ball hockey team.

Dizzying strategy

Justin Nazzaro and his Whitby Road Warriors had another strategy for victory in the 9-and-under division.

"We try to take the puck away from the other team, then we pass it back and forth over and over until the goalie gets dizzy," the nine-year-old said. "Then we shoot."

Nazzaro, who's in Grade 3 and idolizes Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, said his team entered the tournament after his friend's mom heard about it on HNIC.

They all play AA Minor Atom ice hockey with the Whitby Wildcats.

"We love it here," said Nazzaro. "We get to play hockey again even though the regular season's over, and we get to play with our friends."

While the kids' divisions drew the biggest fan base, the best-dressed award at Play On! in Oshawa had to go to the Danglers from Kawartha Lakes.

The All-Star division men's team was hard to miss in red plaid jerseys, complete with buttons, high collars, ties and a rose.

"Don Cherry is our idol," said Matt Morris, following his team's second win of the day. "He's just the man. That's all there is to it."

The Danglers are competing in the tournament for the first year, but they're feeling confident.

"It's hard to lose with these jerseys," said defender Shane Hayes. "Just look at them."