1.) It's a damn sight easier to slapshot on the ice than it is in rollerhockey. I have been going to ice hockey training for about 2.5 months (and already the girls are asking when I'm going to be playing league games) and didn't attempt a slapshot on the ice until Friday just previous because I was scared of the result.

I was scared that it'd be way too embarrasing because I was so used to hitting a lighter, plastic puck compared to the heavier, rubber ones that are used at ice hockey.

Turns out I didn't need to worry at all. I did my first slapshot on the ice during a blue line drill for one time shots and it zinged off towards the middle of the goal at a respectable height and speed. Good stuff I thought. All that stuff about hitting the ice first before the puck really does count - whereas in roller hockey, you tend to have to be very accurate in hitting just the puck and not the floor too much otherwise you'll lose a lot of power straight into the floor owing to the higher friction.

2.) Everyone has a better side to stop on. I have two fairly crappy knees. One I wrecked when I was about 12 in a skiing accident and that healed a bit wonky but otherwise works just fine. The other I smashed to pieces in a car crash about 6 years ago, that one needs continuous work to keep functioning so that I can play my sports.

I'm right handed in life, right handed on the rink and as it goes, I find it much easier to ice hockey stop with my left foot. I figure it's because my right leg is a bit wonky and instead of smoothly cutting into the ice like with my left foot, it judders along the ice. I'm not going to let it dissuade me because it just needs some work.

3.) Having that 5th player on the pad really does mix things up. When asked what 'rollerhockey' is, a lot of people say that it's like ice hockey with one less player. It really isn't! During scrimmages I find myself occasionally caught out by the positioning, as I'm so embedded in the rollerhockey style of play. I play as defense in roller but I'm not sure what my niche is in ice yet, I quite like playing centre at the moment; but at the end, it's down to the coach.

4.) I don't sweat as much during ice hockey but I work just as hard. Sounds odd I know. I'm very used to coming home after a 2 hour training session from rollerhockey absolutely drenched in sweat. Because ice time is so hard to get hold of here, we only have an hour training session on a Friday night but the rink is one of the biggest in the UK and much bigger than the sports hall I'm used to training in. So I cover more ground, but because it's so cool I don't sweat nearly as much. An oddity I hope to overcome by the time I'm playing some league games (in Sept I hope!).

5.) I'm loving it! My skating needs some work as I'm so used to rollerblades and my balancing is different but I can't wait to keep improving my skills on the ice and become an asset to the team. :)