Roughly 71 hours and 58 minutes before most adult hockey pickup games in Bend, a ritual ensues. Phone alarms go off, cars pull to the side of the road, ski days and vacations are interrupted. Wi-Fi connections are checked and meetings are put on hold. Many take a deep breath. Some crack their knuckles as they log in to their Bend Park and Recreation District (BPRD) account. The world, for these die-hard hockey players, comes to a stop. They settle in at their computers or focus on their phone as the clock moves forward. When they’re officially 72 hours from game time, registration opens. Sixty seconds later, it’s over. The rosters are full.
