USF Ice Bulls Hockey vs University of Central Florida Knights

Adding something different for the sports shooters. Give shooting hockey a try. A fast paced sport, hockey is near constant action. It presents challenges to photograph. The high speed nature of the sport and the usually less than optimal lighting is challenging to overcome.

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The USF IceBulls will be taking on University of Central Florida Knights at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel. Puck drop is at 7:00.

For those not familiar with hockey. A hockey rink is 85' by 200'. Each team has 6 players. 3 offensive, 2 defensive and a goalie. 10 players flying around the rink chasing a 3" diameter by 1" frozen rubber puck. There are clear panels surrounding the rink and nets above to restrict pucks from flying into the crowd. In college there are three 20 minute periods separated by two 15 minute intermissions.

Access around the rink is somewhat limited. We are able to access about 40-50%. One advantage to this level of hockey is we can get close up to the rink to shoot. A feature of AdventHealth Center Ice rink is there is a 2nd level which allows for another perspective. You will be shooting through the glass or a net regardless of where you shoot from. The panels tend to be marked up, but as you can see there are ways to minimize the effects on your images. The images here were shot through the glass.

Since lighting is a challenge high ISO's are required to get the shutter speeds necessary to capture action. A 70-200 f2.8 is a good lens for this type of activity.

There is no admission fee to the game. There is a snack bar for refreshments before or during the intermissions. The rink is chilly. Long pants/slacks and a jacket are the recommend attire.