STE. ANNE, Manitoba, Dec. 22 (UPI) — A Zamboni driver at a teen hockey game in Manitoba was arrested and charged with driving while impaired after damaging the ice rink.
Ste. Anne Police said officers responded to a report of a driver of a Zamboni ice resurfacer displaying “erratic behavior” Saturday night at the Sainte-Anne Arena during a game between two teams of boys ages 13-14.
“He was banging up against the boards and missing areas and it was evident something was wrong,” Ste. Anne Police Chief Marc Robichaud told Global News.
Martin Kintscher, manager for one of the teams, said the Zamboni was damaging the rink.
“On his first lap he struck the gate where the Zamboni drives onto the ice, and broke the boards and also broke pieces off the actual Zamboni,” Kintscher told CBC News. “One piece got stuck under the Zamboni, which left a ridge on the ice with every lap.”
Robichaud said the driver was uncooperative and refused a Breathalyzer test. He was arrested on charges of impaired driving, refusing to provide a breath sample and resisting arrest.
“You don’t have to be driving on a road to be charged with impaired driving,” Robichaud said.
Kintscher said officials canceled the game.
