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Champs crowned Darrell Greer Northern News Services Published Monday, March 19, 2012
It was the first Avataq Cup championship for Naujaat, which has competed at the event every year since its inception. Iqaluit defeated the Rankin Ice Holes 65 to capture bronze at the Avataq. Also competing were Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Whale Cove, Arviat and Rankin's Team Todd. Strong showing Arviat made it to the playoff round before being eliminated by Iqaluit, while Whale Cove had a strong showing at this year's event. Whale Cove advanced to the playoff round and gave the Rankin Ice Holes all they could handle before being eliminated. Coral Harbour was forced to drop out of the event due to inclement weather. The Repulse victory at the Avataq Cup was the second time in less than a month a Naujaat team sent a packed arena full of mainly Rankin fans home disappointed. Naujaat defeated Rankin to capture the Polar Bear Plate juvenile-junior championship in Rankin this past month. Justin Merritt was named commissioner for the 2012 Avataq Cup, his second time in that role. Merritt said this year's Avataq went very well. He said it was unfortunate bad weather prevented Coral Harbour from participating, but the nine teams that did play put on a great show for the fans. "Three or four years ago was the last time we had four teams that were this closely matched in the semifinals," said Merritt. "We had good crowds throughout the tournament and they were really loud, especially on Sunday, which created a great hockey environment. "It's all those little extras that make the Avataq so special, like the job Cedric (Autut) did with the music and on the PA system and Brian Tattuinee keeping fans up to date on the web page and with Twitter. "But, the guy who deserves most of the credit for the Avataq's success is David Clark, who really worked hard behind the scenes to organize the tournament - in addition to playing on one of the top teams - to make it all happen."
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