It was 1919 Root Beer’s third straight pond hockey classic title.

The championship game was a fast, physical back and forth battle between teams that have battled each other before.

“It’s always a fun game with these guys. We all know each other pretty well. It’s always a good battle,” said 1919 player A. J. Arneson. “Win or lose, we have fun. Lucas (Heiderscheidt) always puts on a good (pond hockey) show.”

Fifteen teams battled for a $1,000 first place prize. RVS finished second last year among 12 teams. Players came from as far away as Milwaukee, Grand Marais, and Grand Forks, N.D.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The 1919 Root Beer team won its third straight Sleepy Eye Pond Hockey Classic title Saturday. Pictured front row, from left, Keagan Schiro, Teagan Kamm, Toby Senzvongxay and K. J. Arneson. Back row, Ryan Petersen, Jacob Berg, San Sandvig and Braxten Hoffmann.

Former New Ulm High School hockey player Ben Hohensee, now a University of North Dakota student, brought several schoolmates to the tournament including Mitch Bernier of Lakeville and Luke Celatka of Prior Lake that competed on the team called Beauty Clinic.

“If you saw somebody here watching and asked them what they saw, they’d say ‘those beauties are putting on a clinic,’ said Nicholas Zins of New Ulm. “There is just a lot of good vibes out here. Everybody is having fun while still being very competitive. I feel like I’m in my element when I step on the ice. It’s very Minnesotan. It’s my favorite weekend of the year.”

“This is my third year here,” said Bernier. “We love the game. We put everything into it, showing the passion we have. We come here fired up. The music and fans got us going. There is nothing like this anywhere else that I know of. Our team motto is get hot, stay hot. We warmed up in the tent, went out and played hockey. We look good and play good.”

Loud rock and rap music was heard of large speakers at the classic. Fire rings with large logs and a large, heated tent kept players and fans comfortable despite biting cold temperatures.

Sleepy Eye Pond Hockey Classic Board President Lucas Heiderscheidt said $2,000 worth of tournament proceeds will go to the local youth hockey program. Remaining funds will be used to cover pond hockey tournament expenses. The event concluded Saturday night with the Mankato-based Steele Prairie band at the Sleepy Eye Event Center.