Arctic Circle Cup comes home
Repulse nips Arviat 5-3 in thrilling gold medal game
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, May 7, 2014
REPULSE BAY
Repulse Bay turned away a furious comeback bid by Arviat late in the third period for a 53 win in the final of the 2014 Arctic Circle Cup (ACC) senior mens' hockey championship in Repulse this past month.
Repulse 'B' upset Rankin Inlet 107 to claim bronze at the event.
Repulse captain Rodney Taparti was named the ACC's most valuable player, while Tyler Tattuinee of Arviat was top scorer, Josh Tartak of Team Arviat top goaltender, and Aaron Kopak of Repulse top defenceman.
Elders David and Mary Tuktudjuk officially opened the tourney, with David also presenting the awards following its conclusion.
Taparti, who is also the event organizer, said he was happy with the way the 2014 ACC went.
He said it could have been better, but the same can be said for any tournament.
"Everyone had fun and enjoyed the hockey," said Taparti.
"The crowd was pretty loud during the gold medal game, and it's always nice to play in front of your hometown fans.
"There's a bit of an advantage to playing on home ice, and you could really see it with our 'B' team in the bronze medal game.
"They were mercied by Rankin in the round robin, but they rode the crowd well in beating Rankin for the bronze."
Taparti said he'd like the ACC to have six teams.
He said having two more teams would mean not everyone makes the playoffs, and that puts more importance on the round-robin games.
"If more teams come, I'd like to have a committee involved to help run the ACC instead of doing all the work myself.
"Coral Harbour, who were the champions in 2013, really tried to get here again this year, but ran into some kind of flight problem."
Taparti said the hamlet hopes to have Calm Air as an official sponsor going forward with the ACC.
He said preliminary discussions have been held, and the airline seems interested.
"I talked to Karen Yip of Calm Air for a bit at the rink, and our SAO talked to her briefly before he had to leave for Ottawa.
"Hopefully, Calm Air comes aboard for next year and we have six teams here.
"We appreciate Arviat coming to the ACC this year.
"You're going to see Repulse in Arviat for the 2015 JLM (Jon Lindell Memorial)."
