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Kivalliq Atoms explode to win
Drop Iqaluit Blizzard 8-6 in championship game

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, March 12, 2014

RANKIN INLET
Team Kivalliq defeated the Iqaluit Blizzard 8-6 to capture the Arctic Atoms hockey championship in front of a large crowd in Rankin Inlet this past Sunday, March 9.

NNSL photo/graphic

Andy Kopak, left, and Randy Siusangnark are all smiles as they accept the Arctic Atoms championship trophy on behalf of Team Kivalliq in Rankin Inlet this past Sunday. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The Kivalliq squad was comprised mainly of players from Repulse Bay (Naujaat).

Coral Harbour defeated Rankin Rock 1 by a score of 92 to claim bronze.

Also competing at the event were Rankin Rock 2, Arviat and Baker Lake.

The two finalists dominated the individual awards, combining for five of the seven trophies presented.

Andy Kopak of Repulse Bay was the tournament's Top Scorer and was also named as the Most Valuable Player.

Kopak's teammate, Randy Siusangnark, took home the Best Forward award, while Iqaluit's Shameer Mughal was named Best Goalie and team captain Max Joy Best Defenceman.

Coral Harbour's Douglas Jr. Pameolik was named Most Sportsmanlike Player, while teammate Owen Angootealuk was recognized as the Hardest Worker.

Kivalliq saw the Blizzard battle back from threegoal and twogoal deficits to tie the game, before finally putting it out of reach late in the third period.

Team Kivalliq head coach Rodney Taparti of Naujaat said the Arctic Atoms is an awesome experience for the kids.

He said the tournament was wellorganized, as they always are in Rankin.

"It's always nice to come to a hockey tournament in Rankin," said Taparti.

"We had two players from Chesterfield Inlet and one from Whale Cove on our team, as well as a young goalie from Rankin as our starter.

"Team play and good defense were the main reasons for our win, especially in a pretty tight final.

"There was only a one goal difference until we added an extra one with only a few minutes left to play."

Taparti said while it's always nice to see the younger players in his community win tournaments, they're a little too young at the atoms age to say that bodes well for the community having continued success in the future.

He said there are always players who stand out, however, and, even at the atoms age, the rivalry between the better players increases as the tournament moves along.

"I've been working with these kids all year and they're always very excited to come out to practice.

"Every one of them gives a lot of effort at practice, and it showed at this tournament.

"Winning the Arctic Atoms is great, but, at the same nice, it's always nice watching the kids just having fun while playing the game.

"That's what it's all about."

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