The best goals for a boot hockey game were rock-solid chunks of grey snow that fell from the wheels of cars and trucks. They were always accessible and contrasted nicely against a fresh snowfall.

The games were usually chaos. The teams were decided by whoever happened to be outside after school and the action was occasionally stopped for the oncoming cars or the rogue dog who wanted to swipe the ball. The end of the game was determined by the sunset and in mid-winter that tended to coincide perfectly with dinner time.