Figure skaters and squirt hockey players owned the Olympic Center for much of the day as they competed on all three rinks in the iconic building, while the women’s hockey games and sled hockey took center stage 10 miles away at the Saranac Lake Civic Center. Meanwhile, Tupper Lake hosted the first games in girls hockey.

Another sport on ice, speed skating, also kicked off its Empire State Winter Games run with the first races late Friday afternoon on the Olympic oval in the village of Lake Placid, and alpine skiing also began its competition slate at Whiteface Mountain.

The action really heats up Saturday with contests taking place in Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and Paul Smiths.

The 40th annual Empire State Winter Games run through Sunday.

Victoria Haviland of the North Jersey Figure Skating Club performs at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

The following photos are a taste of some of the action that took place on the rinks Friday in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.

Andrew Thompson scores a goal for the Rome Grizzles during their squirt hockey game against Oswego Friday afternoon at the Olympic Center’s USA Rink. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Ana Madaio of Saugerties smiles for a selfie between the first and second periods during her team’s game against Saratoga at the Saranac Lake Civic Center. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Central New York Flyers and Buffalo Sabres Sled Vets Freedom Team players battle for puck possession. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Referee Bill Reiley, a Saranac Laker, drops the puck on a faceoff during the game between Saugerties and Saratoga. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Claire Meng of the Great Neck Figure Skating Club performs at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)