Globetrotters beat Global Select on ice

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) - The Harlem Globetrotters once again showed off their moves and wowed a crowd, but this time on an ice rink.

Using ice cleats and hockey helmets, the Globetrotters were victorious, with the help of former Detroit Red Wing Kevin Miller, over the Global Select during a game at The Ice Rink at Millennium Park in Portage on Monday.

---- Photos: Globetrotters play on ice rink ----

Despite the slippery surface, the Globetrotters showed their iconic flair with "slick" dribbling and high-flying dunks. The Globetrotters invited local schools and the public at no charge.

Footage of the game courtesy YouTube --

"We played this game to celebrate all sporting events on ice," Harlem Globetrotters star Handles Franklin said in a news release. "We're thrilled the NHL is coming back. Unfortunately, they couldn't return in time to play the Winter Classic, so the Globetrotters helped fill that void today by playing this outdoor game on ice. And we thought it was fitting to play it right here in Michigan in the midst of our North American tour with former Red Wing Kevin Miller."

The ice game occurred on the Globetrotters' most historic anniversary -- celebrating the team's inaugural road game in Hinckley, Ill. on Jan. 7, 1927. Since that time, the team has won more than 24,000 games and lost only 345.

The Globetrotters who played in the ice game included Handles, 7-foot-four-inch Stretch Middleton -- the third tallest Globetrotter in team history -- Scooter Christensen, Bones Millien and Moose Weeks.

The Globetrotters' 2013 You Write the Rules World Tour will visit 45 states and nine Canadian provinces through April 2013. New rules will be plentiful and fans can vote at www.harlemglobetrotters.com/rule to select which rule they would like to see implemented in their hometown.

The Globetrotters will return to indoor basketball courts for games at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo at 7 p.m. on Jan. 8, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing at 7 p.m. on Jan. 26, at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids at 2 p.m. on Jan. 27, and at Perani Arena in Flint at 7 p.m. on Jan. 28. Tickets are available at www.harlemglobetrotters.com.