Wolves howl in Thompson
Arviat novice team takes bracket cup at hockey tourney
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
ARVIAT
The Arviat Wolves defeated the Thompson Leafs 4-1 to capture the Ridgestone Financial Cup (fifth place) at the annual Jack Burden novice hockey tournament in Thompson, Man., this past month.
Arviat went through the round robin with a 2-1 record, with the only defeat a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to the Cross Lake Islanders 'A' team.
The Arviat players also won their pizza shootout (most goals in three minutes) against the Thompson Canadiens by a score of 5-4.
There are no cross-over or elimination games at the Jack Burden event.
Following round-robin play, a single sudden-victory game is played between first and second, third and fourth, fifth and sixth, etc., with each game having its own bracket trophy.
Arviat team manager Gleason Uppahuak said the Arviat children were fiercely proud of their achievement, having gone winless during their first appearance at the event in 2014.
He said the players totally enjoyed both the tournament and their time in Thompson.
"The kids knew what to expect and were eager to win games this year," said Uppahuak.
"They really worked hard at regaining their confidence after losing all their games this past year and it showed on the ice.
"We had about 80 per cent of the players back who went in 2014 and they wanted to show everyone they could do much better than that.
"Maybe it's not supposed to be about winning at that age, but the players had a lot more fun when they were winning games this year."
Uppahuak said almost every player had at least one parent along for the trip.
He said the entire trip, with air fares, accommodations, meals and local transportation around the city tallied up, came to about $24,000.
"We had a lot of support from Arviat hamlet council, which always supports minor hockey, and (head coach) Daniel Kablutsiak and assistant coaches Kevin Kalluak and Billy Ollie deserve a lot of credit for all the work they did with the team.
"Ken Beardsall and Ryan O'Connor of the Arviat Minor Hockey Association are owed a big thanks for all their help, as is Arctic Connections for supplying us with our nice team jackets.
"We plan to move up to atoms next season, but we probably wouldn't be able to make these trips if it wasn't for the support we get from Calm Air, as well."
