These guys are skating on thin ice

Thin plastic faux ice, in fact, and this article details how the material is picking up endorsements from NHL stars and others who say it is almost as good as real ice, and much less expensive to install and maintain.

With cities and towns in tough financial straits, these plastic rinks could become the best way to offer locals the chance to playhockey or ice skate year-round, without the cost associated with a natural ice rink.