IQALUIT - It is the kind of fight that splits Canadian households in two, come hockey playoffs.

Tyler and Mitchell Courtney come from a mixed marriage; Dad is a Leafs fan, Mom likes the Senators and the Oilers.

From left are Sens fans Ron Kennedy and Tyler Courtney, Leafs fan Mitchell Courtney, and Dayna Cox, who likes the Montreal Canadiens. Nakasuk School is encouraging the students to speak out about their hockey preference, through Gym teacher Ron Kennedy's morning announcements. - Kent Driscoll/NNSL photo

The two boys carry their rift to school, where gym teacher Ron Kennedy helps to fan the flames, all in good fun.

Kennedy has been helping students at Nakasuk school follow the playoffs, and is trying to get them to cheer for the sole remaining Canadian team by starting off their day with a little hockey talk.

Kennedy gets on the morning announcements with a student and they recap the previous night's game, and talk about the next one.

"It is good, he is funny," said Tyler Courtney, who takes after his Mom's Sens-following ways. "Sometimes he plays the hockey song, and he brings a kid on to talk about the game."

Both Courtneys give hockey analysis that exceeds their young ages. Mitchell mutters "They have to get rid of Sundin" when asked about his favourite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"Some kids really get into it, but we try to stay away from talking about the fights," said Kennedy.

Not the boys; both think that the Senators should be dressing tough guy Chris McGratten to combat the size advantage Anaheim possesses.

"If they are going to win, they are going to have to be stronger defensively," said Mitchell Courtney.

Dayna Cox represents a bigger percentage of the Nakusuk population. She cares about the series, but doesn't come close to the Courtney boys' hockey obsession.

"I like Montreal, but if they (the Senators) win, I'd cheer," said Cox.

Kennedy wears an Anaheim Ducks sweatshirt with the Ducks logo crossed out, and carries around a large plastic horn. When you ignore the outfit, you can see he is serious about the teaching power of hockey.

"We put up a pool and had the kids pick at the beginning of the playoffs," said Kennedy. "They might pick up a word or two here and there by following this, but it is all for fun."

If the Senators do win the series, Kennedy has one final project for the Nakusuk students this year.

"We will write them a letter and ask them to bring the Stanley Cup here," said Kennedy.