The 2024 Arctic Winter Games in Mat-Su, Alaska are officially underway.
While the opening ceremony took place this afternoon, the first sports action of the week-long bonanza began on the ice as hockey got underway. Nunavut’s U18 boys team was first to hit the indoor pond as they took on Yukon in the opening contest for both teams.
And it solved absolutely nothing as both teams ended it in a 1-1- draw. Joseph Netser opened the scoring for Nunavut in the first period, but Yukon managed to get the equalizer early in the third. Nunavut certainly had their chances as they outshot Yukon, 41-19, but Yukon goaltender Kieran Mooney managed to shut the door and preserve the point for his side.
The NWT’s U16 boys hockey team kicked off its campaign versus Yukon on Sunday evening and came out on the wrong end of a 4-2 decision. They managed to claw their way back into the game in the second period after going down 2-0, but Yukon scored twice unanswered in the third period and that was the difference.
Curling got underway Sunday evening with the boys and girls rinks from each territory in action. The NWT girls were up against Alberta North, while Nunavut and the NWT squared off in game no. 1 for both teams. Nunavut’s girls team took on Alaska.
The NWT’s U16 boys futsal team was out on court Sunday evening as they did battle with Yukon to kick things off. It was one-way traffic, though, as Yukon emerged with an 8-1 win.
Monday is where the Games really begin to take shape as almost all of the sports which didn’t see action on Sunday. It’d easier to tell you which sports won’t be underway just yet —they include figure skating, archery and gymnastics.
Check back at NNSL.com for the results of the late games and much more throughout the week.