While they do play soccer and tennis in the off season to stay in shape, since they started playing roller hockey, they can play hockey year round. And roller hockey has captured their imagination. Roller hockey is a revved up version of an already fast-paced game, where stopping is an iffy proposition. Players know that fast stops can flip them on their heads, something they do not worry about with sharp ice hockey blades. When I watch ice hockey it seems so slow.
Roller hockey is more of an offense-oriented game, boasting higher scores than ice hockey.
The rink is the same size as hockey but the game goes for two 12-minute periods, with the clock stopped as needed. The different speed and orientation of the game require different strategies. Keeping the puck is what really matters. While checking and hitting are forbidden in roller hockey, sometimes the speed and inability to stop makes for a rough game. The sport has less upper body padding than ice hockey, no shoulder pads at all, but more leg coverage, including long pants for protection from falls.