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CORAL HARBOR/RANKIN INLET
The Rankin Inlet Rock played a strong game in defeating Iqaluit 4-2 to capture the Nunavut Bantam Championship in Coral Harbour earlier this month.

Coral defeated a mixed team of players from the communities of Repulse Bay, Chesterfield Inlet and Kugluktuk to capture bronze at the event.

Also competing was a mixed squad of players from the communities of Baker Lake and Kimmirut.

It was the first officially sanctioned minor hockey tournament held in Coral in a number of years.

Rankin head coach Darrin Nichol said the event was a lot of fun to play in.

He said the tourney organizers did a great job in keeping the games on time and the arena in tiptop shape.

"Fan support was great during the tournament, especially on the final day when it was a full house," said Nichol.

"It looked like there were going to be a few more teams in the weeks leading up to the tournament, but there were problems with logistics.

"It can be difficult getting people in and out of Coral for a big event.

"So, while there could have been a few more teams, overall, the organizers and Sport Nunavut did the best they could to have as much participation as possible, given the airline schedules we all

have to operate within."

Nichol said the Rankin and Iqaluit bantam teams have a lot of respect for each other.

He said the Rock didn't take any team at the tournament lightly. "We've already seen a couple of examples this year where any team can beat another in one game, especially with a hot goaltender.

"So, we played every team the same way.

"We knew we'd have to face Iqaluit at some point, but Coral had a decent little team too.

"I wasn't too keen about meeting Coral in the playoffs, and I was glad when we finished first in the round robin to get a bye to the final."

Nichol said the final was hard fought.

He said the tournament, as a whole, had some hard hitting, but the players kept it clean for the most part.

"Overall, the officials did a great job in that they called it both ways.

"There was confusion among the players and coaches as to how the hitting-to-the-head penalties were being called, but, at least, everyone seemed to be equally confused.

"It was reffed a lot differently than the tournament we were at in Yellowknife in that the refs were very strict with the head shots.

"The level of hockey was good, and it was a great tune-up for our team as we prepared to compete in the Toonik Tyme tournament in Iqaluit this past weekend."

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