Residents of the Sunshine Coast had the opportunity to watch a good old hockey game at Gibsons Arena Thursday night, Dec. 8.
School District No. 46, in an attempt to raise funds for the Sunshine Coast Food Bank, organized a Charity North vs. South hockey game with students and staff from Chatelech and Pender taking on students and staff from Elphinstone/SCAS/and the School Board Office.
Total funds raised were not known as of press time, but estimates are over $1,500.
The turnout for the event was much higher than expected and the stands were packed with students, staff, parents, and Coast residents who were determined not to let a snowfall advisory prevent them from showing their support for their school community. With the CSS/ESS jazz band playing classic tunes like “Eye of the Tiger,” the teams hit the ice ready to vie for bragging rights.
The game was a close-fought match with both teams skating hard and exchanging scoring chances. Eventually, the North squad took a 2-0 with goals from Geoff “Ageless” Davis and Tyler “Stash” Stinchcombe.
The South made a late push and were able to notch a goal on a Hunter Mensink penalty shot that was Gretzky-like in its execution. Both goalies made a number of timely saves late in the period and a few crossbars and posts crushed the South’s chances of pushing for the equalizer.
At the end of regulation, the North Squad hoisted the First Annual North South Cup, winning the game 2-1.
SD46 would like to truly thank all those who were involved in making this event a success, including the SCRD, Kidsport, SCMHA, the students, staff, and parent volunteers from the secondary schools, and especially the players on the ice for giving us a show that we hope to see repeated again next year!
