15) Watch five live sports you've never seen

Ice hockey

A temporary ice rink in the food court of Milton Keynes. That's where this 40 before 40 sees me on a Saturday night. No, I am working on one of the list - there really is a live sport going on here!

To the ice kings and queens of Milton Keynes it will be common knowledge that the main ice rink is being refurbished/rebuilt/remodelled. It's closed anyway. The main ice hockey team have been sent to Coventry (include your own pun) but the MK Thunder, participants in National Ice Hockey League South have stayed true to the city.

But without a main ice rink they've adapted a disused supermarket, stuck in a rink, some fold away seats, portaloos and set up shop. Well if it's good enough for two participants of Dancing on Ice to practice on (sorry I realise I've set that as a benchmark for greatness) well they've made a home.

It's not exactly a fortress though. Sadly the MK team sit bottom of the league so it was going to be a struggle to get amongst the points. More so if you're playing the league leaders. Still, I got myself a hot chocolate (which was lovely, well recommended!) and settled in.

Players were warming up when I got there, then went off for a final team talk and back on the ice. Teams were announced and players skate in to the middle and stand in a line. Then we were asked to stand. For the national anthem. In my sport we save that for internationals only. But no, it was played (no singing though).

They're warming up - more than the supporters!

Then to action. The Chelmsford visitors seemed quite brutal but I wouldn't say they completely owned the ice to start with and the Thunder gave a good fight. But it seemed that they threatened the attacking goal a little less than their opposition. I followed as best I could, there were ref signals in the programme but as far as I could make out, it was a bit of no holds barred. I heard someone say in the second period 'it was a head check' but that's about as much as I could work out was a no no. Bashing, blocking, flooring, scooping the puck out from underneath people  was all ok, it was just like a hockey match in an all girls school - brutal! But then the away side started to chip away and get a breakthrough. Think about 4-0 up after the first 20 mins.

Then a 15 min break, so I thought, half time? No, quick check with my hubby holding the fort back home and it was third time. Sorry? Yes it's played in thirds. Thirds? 60 mins split into three. I haven't worked it out yet as to why but apparently so.

During the break the ice machine comes out. Now, that's a beast. I should have had that as a 40 challenge - drive an ice sweeper beast. But it killed a bit of time when you're sat alone!

The ice sweeper beast!

So onto the second period/third. Chelmsford got more confident and seemed to work a bit more magic, increasing their lead to 8-0 by the end of that time. I decided I had seen enough and I was cold and knew I also had another sport to watch the next day. Needless to say am a bit disappointed to find out that the Thunder did score in the last third! Typical really!

In the thick of it!

From what my little knowledge of ice hockey provided there was some talent on the MK side. While I always have a bias to goalies, Denis Bell for Thunder is really very good and if he wasn't in their goal then they would be a lot worse off. And I'm not alone in these thoughts as he has been picked for junior international honours. Lets hope he continues to improve. They didn't give up and they also defended their goalie when he got picked on a bit. Ok a little bit of a fight. Excellent....

Would I go again? It's not really my cup of tea, mainly as I'd need a few to keep warm enough to watch. But fair play to those in Milton Keynes for creating their own haven and making an ice rink accessible for the community and keeping the spirit alive. If it inspires more young people to try the sport then that's great. I'm just horrendous on the ice!