Submitted by:
Shirley Todosichuk |
On Saturday, January 23, 2016 the Manitoba Provincial Team and Brandon Wheat City Wings came to Swan River to participate in the 2nd Annual Special Olympics Parkland Region Floor Hockey Tournament.
Click any picture for a larger version.
The tournament was hosted by the Swan Valley Tiger Fire Floor Hockey Team.
Staff Sargent Shayne Smith and Constable Matt Dufresne kicked off opening ceremonies by leading the excited teams into the venue to the tune of Cold Play’s “Sky Full of Stars.”
The Manitoba Provincial Team, (Winnipeg Blue Devils) who will be representing Manitoba in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, March 1-5, 2016 came out on top for all three of their games, taking home first place ribbons. The Brandon Wheat City Wings brought their A game on Saturday and took home 2nd. Our Swan Valley Tiger Fire gave 100% and showed great sportsmanship and tenacity throughout the tournament, coming in an honourable 3rd. All games were quick paced, challenging and exciting from first face off to the final buzzer. Even with the inclement weather, a good fan base turned out to cheer on our athletes and give them a boost.
Pictured above: Brennan Sauder moves the ring into Provincial territory.
Game 1 between rivals Manitoba Provincial Team and Brandon Wheat City Wings was intense and a hard fought game between the two teams. All the lines put in 3 periods of hard work. Both teams had numerous chances in the opposition zone and this game could have gone either way but the Provincial Team’s power and ring control proved to be more than the Wings could handle. Most Valuable Players for game 1 were Robert Glowa for the Provincial Team and Art Haggstrom for the Wheat City Wings.
The Provincial Team played back to back games and took on the Swan Valley Tiger Fire Team in game 2. Tiger Fire played a solid game but got into penalty trouble in the second period, playing short for half the period. They got in a few good shots but the Provincial Team had good momentum and Tiger Fire came out a little short. MVP’s for game 3 were Katherine Pugh for Winnipeg and Jarret Gingras, goalie for Tiger Fire.
After a delicious lunch provided by Doug Chapman and the Food Services Students, Tiger Fire played the Brandon Wheat City Wings. It was a good game, evenly matched but Tiger Fire lost steam in the 3rd period. The score board was also not consistent with the plays on the floor as the Tiger Fire goalie was under the weather. Even though Jarret was fighting off illness he still played 2 awesome games between the pipes for Tiger Fire.
MVP’s were Richard Marks for Wheat City Wings and Kolton Leslie for Swan Valley Tiger Fire.
Pictured right: Andy Puchailo presenting Kolton Leslie the MVP award sponsored by Swan Valley Home Hardware
The final game was a mix of 8 Brandon Wheat City Wing athletes and 8 Tiger Fire players versus the Provincial Team. It was a good game from start to finish. The mixed team worked well together, put in a great effort and never gave up.
The Provincial Team’s unstoppable offence and strong defence proved too much for the mixed team to overcome. MVP’s for game 4 were Elijah Ilag for Winnipeg and Sara Holmes for the Mixed Team.
Coach June Mosiondz was happy with how the Tiger Fire Team has improved lots of skills that is starting to show when they play the tough teams. She said they had decent games and gave it their all. She noted that it is evident that the Provincial team trains a couple times a week and her athletes can improve conditioning, which is now a goal for the Winter Games in Winnipeg February 20th. All 3 teams will square off again in Winnipeg for another round of great floor hockey action.
The Tiger Fire Floor Hockey Team and the Special Olympics Manitoba Parkland Region would like to thank the following for helping make our tournament a success! The Provincial Team & Wheat City Wings, Swan Valley Credit Union, Super 8, Swan River Home Hardware, Swan Valley COOP, Giant Tiger, Rumors, Sign Here, Swan Valley School Division, Doug Chapman + Food Services Students, Carrie and Skylar Blosha, Kevin Penner, Christie Down, Dale Harper and Rob Buchannan, SVRSS Custodians, Star + Times, Valley Biz and All Our Volunteers and Special Olympic Supporters.