The Iqaluit Blizzard, back row from left, Martin Joy (assistant coach), Albert Netser (coach), Macayle Buckler, Ryan MacInntosh, Max Joy, Josie Cote, Quintien Ross Issaluk, Jack Allakarialak, Nashon Thomas, Madison Ahle, Ricky Issaluk (assistant coach) and Brent Buckler (assistant coach), and, middle row from left, Taukie Qiatsuk, Bradley Frasor, Cameron MacDonald, Nanagaat Netser, Tugaaq Netser and Nolan Sammurtok (stick boy), and, front from left, Gooteleah Davidee and Terence Veevee captured the 2015 Powerful Peewee championship in Rankin Inlet on Feb. 1. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
Iqaluit defends peewee crown
Defeat Rankin Rock 6-1 to cap blizzard-shortened event
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, February 11, 2015
RANKIN INLET/IQALUIT
The Iqaluit Blizzard defeated the Rankin Inlet Rock 6-1 to successfully defend its Powerful Peewees crown in Rankin earlier this month.
The Rankin Rock atoms pulled a stunning come-from-behind upset to defeat Repulse Bay (Naujaat) and claim the bronze.
The Atoms trailed Repulse 7-2 before storming back to tie it in regulation and then winning 8-7 on Coby Connelly's overtime marker.
The Rankin peewee girl's team also competed in the event.
Bad weather prevented teams from Arviat, Baker Lake and Coral Harbour from attending the event.
Another peewee tournament will be hosted Jan. 27 to 30 for those teams to attend, along with the host Rankin Rock.
As of press time, Arviat, Coral Harbour, Baker Lake and Whale Cove are committed to the second tournament, with the return of Naujaat still a possibility.
Event organizer David Clark said the children who were able to attend the tournament had a great time.
He said the players on the girl's peewee team were feeling a little dejected after losing all of their games rather handily, but was quick to add they'll improve with time.
"I went to talk to them about how they were the first girl's team to ever participate in the Powerful Peewees at the end of the tournament," said Clark.
"In fact, to the best of my knowledge, they were the first girl's team to ever participate in a boy's tournament in all of Nunavut.
"I told them they should be proud of themselves for being good role models for the girls watching, who will strive to be hockey players when they get a little older.
"The experience showed them how much harder they have to work at their practices, and how much better they have to be if they want to continue moving forward as players."
Clark, who also coached the atoms, said their comeback win was a pretty exciting game.
He said the players deserve a lot of credit for not giving up and sticking with their game plan.
"All the players stayed positive and were on the same page together and they pulled the rope together when they really needed to in order to get that win.
"They deserve a lot of credit for pulling off a win like that."
Iqaluit head coach Albert Netser said his team's coaches were more disappointed the other teams didn't make it in than the players were.
He said they always look forward to weighing the Blizzard against every team at the annual event.
"Our kids would have liked to have seen the other teams too but the tournament went very well with all it went through with the blizzard and all the teams not being able to make it," said Netser.
"David (Clark) did an outstanding job and our kids had a blast."
Netser said the Iqaluit children really love coming to Rankin to play.
He said every one of his players wanted to come for the tournament and not one of them was ready to leave Rankin when it was over.
"They loved the hockey and the people in Rankin.
"There was a bit of a misunderstanding during a tournament last year with some of the parents, but I have always loved going to Rankin for hockey.
"The community is such a big hockey town and the Rankin fans and players are great.
"Everyone competes hard and the crowd can be crazy, in a good way, and you see great sportsmanship in Rankin even when the games are done."
Netser said budgetary restrictions will prevent Iqaluit from returning for the second peewee tournament, as much as they'd love to.
He said even though three teams didn't make it in for
the first event, the Iqaluit players got their money's worth.
"We successfully defended out title and David did a great job, as did the refs, those cooking the team breakfasts and suppers - everyone involved with it, really.
"To me, the platform for every minor tournament should start with watching how Rankin does its tournaments.
"Rankin would be a great bench mark for everyone to use when it comes to how to organize a minor hockey tournament, what to do while it's running and how to treat the out-of-town players when they're in the community to compete.
"Our whole team stayed
at Harry and Cathy Towtongie's for the Powerful Peewee tournament and we appreciate the great hospitality we received so now we hope Rankin can come to Iqaluit and participate in our tournament during Toonik Tyme."
