RIPTIDES BID FAREWELL TO Z-RINK

For the first time in more than 12 years, the Riptides have no games on the horizon.

With a short bench and a lackluster 5-0 shutout loss, the Riptides bid farewell Thursday night to Z-Rink, their home since April 21, 2003.

The Riptides formed as a dekhockey team in East Hartford in early 2000, and moved to inline hockey in 2003.

But after 31 seasons at Z-Rink, the future of the Tide was put into question when the rink announced it was closing at the conclusion of the season.

That season has now ended, and Z-Rink's doors are soon to be shuttered.

To all the players -- both current and former -- thank you for your participation, and keeping the Riptides a strong team these past 12 years.

And thank you to our families, who put up with us being out each week, and sneaking into bed at 1 a.m. after late games.

The Tide now sits idle, tracking rumors of the future of inline hockey in the Hartford area. With any luck, the Riptides may take to the rink again in the near future.

We'll see what the future holds.