GORE BAY—The annual Frosty Cup hockey tournament is quickly becoming a Christmas tradition that is eagerly anticipated by participants and spectators. Not only did the second annual tournament held this past weekend provide for some great hockey and entertainment, but proceeds raised by the second annual tournament will go toward the family of a Gore Bay woman battling a rare form of cancer.
The tournament featured a total of 16 teams, eight in the men’s sportsman division and four each in the men’s 40+ and women’s open divisions. Teams were made up of players from all over Manitoulin Island, as well as players from off-Island as well.
The finals in each division were held Sunday afternoon at the Gore Bay arena. In the ladies’ final, Wikwemikong defeated the Fubar team, shutting them out by a 9-0 score. The Wiky team roster included Kennedy Lanktree, Karlene Fox, Kathryn Corbiere, Amber Debassige, Danielle Shawana, Jessica Aguonie (goalie), Victoria Pitawanakwat, Amber Lewis, Gerri-Lynn Manitowabi and Seneca Manitowabi.
In the most entertaining game of the three championship finals, Gore Bay defeated M’Chigeeng 4-3 in the men’s 40+ division. Gore Bay won by pulling off a furious comeback in the last few minutes of the game.
M’Chigeeng led 2-1 after the first period, upped that to 3-1 in the second, and looked to have the game under control. However, Gore Bay scored at the 4:07 mark of the final period to close the gap to one goal.
Less than a minute later, with 3:27 to go, Gore Bay tied the game and they scored again with 1:54 left to go up 4-3. They held off M’Chigeeng in the final few seconds to win the game.
Gore Bay goalie Daryl Leighton was selected as most valuable player in the championship game.
The Gore Bay team included Daryl Leighton, Bob Dumond, Brad Bailey, Rob Dearing, Mike Argue, Shane Laidley, Dan Smith, Derek Green, Jason Thibault, Shane Morrow and Brad Hawke. The team donated the cash they were presented for winning, back to the tournament organizers.
The Sportsmen division final pitted the Wiky T-Birds against Noble’s. Wiky got the jump on their opponents, taking a 4-0 lead in the first period, prior to Nobles countering with a marker to make it 4-1 after the first frame.
Wikwemikong kept the pressure up in the second frame, scoring three unanswered goals to win the championship final by a 7-1 count. The T-Birds roster included Josh Taibossigai, Jesse Peltier, Mike Bondy, Travis Jones, Jason Peltier, Brent Assinewai, Cheyenne King, Dustin Peltier, Quinton Recollet and Launie Pheasant.
UCCM Castle Building Centre of M’Chigeeng provided all the Frosty Cup sweaters for the winning teams in each division.
The trophies presented to the winners in each event had been donated at the initial Frosty Cup tournament last year and included Pat Noble Lumber, Canadian Yacht Charters and Casson Dentistry among the donors. As well, a whole host of sponsors helped out the costs of things like ice time.
The Gore Bay Rotary Club, along with volunteers, provided the refreshments during the weekend in the upstairs area of the Gore Bay arena. As well, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 514 hosted a benefit dance on Saturday evening.
Proceeds raised from the tournament will be going to Gore Bay woman Theresa Rideout (who is battling a rare form of cancer) and her family.
