INUVIK
In an East Three winter break tradition, students and staff faced off on the ice to kick off the holidays, with the staff taking the game 9-7.

Staff team member Matt Miller, left, tries to take the puck away from student Janine Bonnetplume during the staff versus students game on Dec. 17. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

"It was great!" said Britney Selina, the game's organizer. "There was some great energy out there. It was a lot of fun."

Students were given the afternoon off school and dozens chose to watch their comrades take on their teachers. They crowded the benches at the arena at the Midnight Sun Complex, cheering on their classmates and periodically booing their opponents. All the same, the atmosphere was one of friendly competition on the ice.

"It just didn't go our way today," said Grade 8 student Stryden Hult-Griffin, who spoke on behalf of the student team. "We had some good energy out there, good team effort but the pucks just couldn't find the back of the net."

Despite the loss, he talked a big game about the rematch, scheduled for the spring.

"I think the teachers are a competitive team but I don't think they'll be able to bring it in the next game," he said, laughing, adding that getting to play against the staff was "pretty cool."

Selina said the game has become a tradition at the school, one which both the staff and students eagerly anticipate. They put out a sign-up sheet for players and it's a first-come, first-served system. Students who don't make it on the team for the game in December are picked first for the rematch in the spring.

"The kids love it, the staff love it, everyone has a good time," Selina said, adding that the student team had 20 players and the staff has 15, a good turnout by all accounts.

Selina commended star goalie Abe Drennan particularly, saying that between a game-winning performance on the ice and having a newborn at home, his energy level was impressive.

"It's just a good way to kick off the Christmas break," she said.

"It's a lot of fun."

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