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RANKIN INLET
Turnabout is often fair play in the unpredictable sport of hockey.

Less than a month after the Rankin Rock captured a AA peewee championship in Beausejour, Man., the Winnipeg Seals travelled to Rankin Inlet and returned the favour.

The Seals defeated the Rankin Rock (White) 21 in a thrilling, and often physically intense championship game, to claim the 2012 Powerful Peewees banner in Rankin this past weekend.

Team Iqaluit defeated a combined Repulse BayWhale Cove squad to claim bronze at the event.

Also competing at the Powerful Peewees were a second Rankin Rock team (Black), Coral Harbour and a combined Baker LakeChesterfield Inlet team.

Peewee players in Arviat were heartbroken when weather and mechanical problems led to them not being able to attend the event.

Tournament coordinator Adriana Kusugak revamped the schedule a number of times trying to accommodate a possible late arrival by the Arviat team, but it wasn't to be.

A number of office activities were held for the kids during the Powerful Peewees, including a pizza party and slide/video presentation on the tournament to wrap things up.

Rankin Rock (White) coach Pujjuut Kusugak said although losing the final was disappointing, it was a well-organized tournament and the kids had a lot of fun playing.

He said it's too bad things didn't work out for Arviat to attend.

"I feel bad for the Arviat kids because they didn't have a hockey season this year due to arena problems in their community," said Kusugak. "I know they must have been very disappointed.

"I remember, as a kid, tournaments were like our NHL playoffs, so missing the Powerful Peewees must have been tough for them."

Kusugak said it was good to see both Iqaluit and Winnipeg attended this year's Powerful Peewees.

He said it was pretty special for a youth from Rankin (Brett Fotheringham) to be able to come home with the team he plays on now and see all his old friends.

"The final game was really entertaining hockey and it could have gone either way.

"Our goalie was screened on one of the Winnipeg goals, and the other was a redirect he didn't have a chance on.

"Their goalie played well, but, we had our chances, including a couple of open nets where our guys just couldn't get their sticks on the puck.

"The kids were physical, but not dirty, and they're slowly getting the message about keeping their hands down when they check."

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