Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, August 8, 2007

RANKIN INLET - More than 200 people came out to cheer for their favourite style of meat in Rankin Inlet this past month.

The boisterous crowd saw Team Cooked Meat defeat Team Raw Meat 10-7 to claim Rankin's road hockey championship and bragging rights for the year.

The event was taped for an upcoming episode of the Versus TV Network's Road Hockey Rumble.

Show co-host Mark McGuckin said Rankin was one of the most amazing places the show has visited during its twoseason run on Versus (Outdoor Life Network).

He said budget constraints kept the show from coming North during the first season, making Rankin its first stop in the territories.

"The players in the show were the most hospitable guys you ever want to meet and the town welcomed us with open arms," said McGuckin.

"Hockey's a common denominator in every direction of our country, but we had no idea how absolutely hockey mad of a town Rankin really is.

"We were told people here like their hockey, but that doesn't do it justice.

"The game is a way of life in Rankin - hunting, fishing and hockey."

McGuckin said just like every town the show visits, the guys in Rankin were all ampedup to play

He said people can say it's a cliche all they want, but the fact of the matter is Canadians love their hockey.

"The toughest part of our show is telling guys who want to play that they can't.

"Everyone wants to play because road hockey is every man's type of hockey.

"It doesn't matter if we're in Nunavut, B.C., or Newfoundland, there's always people playing road hockey."

Nashville Predator Jordin Tootoo made a special trip to his hometown to take part in the game.

Tootoo said the show was a great opportunity for the town to come out and have a good time for an afternoon.

He said many people in Rankin grow up playing street hockey and everybody can relate to the game whether they're a big NHL fan or not.

"It's very special for these guys to come up to Rankin and film a show here with us," said Tootoo.

"It was a good time, and a lot of fun for me to get to play a game with some of the guys I grew up with."

Show co-host Calum (Cal) MacLeod said he really enjoyed his week in Rankin.

He said he was impressed by how much rec co-ordinator David Clark and those selected to play in the game did to help the show.

"I can't believe they actually built us a freakin' rink," said MacLeod.

"It looked exactly like our rink in Vancouver.

"It's obvious how much everyone loves their community in Rankin and takes pride in what happens here."

MacLeod said doing the show has shown him what he's always known in his heart - Canadians love hockey.

He said people love to play and, once sides are picked, nobody wants to lose.

"As soon as you put hockey sticks in their hands and get them playing, you see the same passion from one end of our country to the other.

"Everyone jokes around, has a great time and wants a beer afterwards.

"For whatever reasons, hockey has the power to bring this country together."

MacLeod said he agrees with the old joke about hockey and gentlemen being two words that don't belong in the same sentence together.

He said although the show has a no-fighting policy, there have been tense moments.

"I got cut for 12 stitches on my eyebrow about three weeks ago, which I'd rate as ungentlemanly behaviour.

"Our former producer decided to play in a game and then the bastard got me in the face with his stick.

"Although we try to keep it to a minimum, there is rough play because guys don't like to lose a hockey game."

In fact, MacLeod said when it hits people that they're going to be seen winning or losing a game on TV, they'll do almost anything to win.

He said you don't have to be in Rankin long before you realize people here share that same passion.

"Almost everybody in this town adores hockey, which was just amazing to see.

"We knew it was a hockey town, but we had no idea it was this hockey crazy.

"It's a simple equation: hockey plus Canadians equals passion."