Skip to content

PUCK DROPPINGS: The thrill of the pill

Jon-Howe

Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble compounds whose anitoxidant properties fight free radicals and inhibit platelet aggregation.

I don’t know what that all means, but it will surely motivate a group of non-medically trained hockey players if said with enough enthusiasm.

The First Air Rec Hockey Tournament is underway at both the Multiplex and Yk Community Arena. The first games were played yesterday, and will be ongoing until a winner is crowned in each of the five divisions.

WIMPS has a team entered in the E Division, sponsored by The Medicine Shoppe. Let’s hope that our team does not suffer from an E-deficiency, and that we will be able to ataxia the opposing net. It is perhaps a good sign that absorption of that eponymous vitamin requires the presence of fat in the gut, as a certain percentage of our roster is innately qualified in that regard.

The schedule hints at the broad interest that this tournament generates. It will be great to see the guys from Kugaaruk make an appearance a year after one of their players shot my leg off in this same tournament. Kudos to them for taking one more step up the food chain and competing in the Lake Awry C division.

I don’t know a lot of people from Fort Simpson, but every year they do the long drive, and at least one member of one of the teams reminds me that I have a loyal readership in the land of Liidlii Kue. Coincidentally, WIMPS will meet Fort Simpson Nogha first thing tomorrow morning, rather like the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers. So I would like to wish them success in this tournament, but not too much success, if you know what I mean.

Other notable entrants include La Loche, Saskatchewan, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit, Kugluktuk, Gjoa Haven, Gameti, and Deline. And if I am not mistaken, Kugaaruk could be a rather lonely place this weekend as the team from Arviligjuaq must surely be arriving on the same plane.

WIMPS (the league, not the tournament team) steers the bus around the numerous disruptions for this week and next. Have a look at the schedule and duly note any preemption before heading to the rink.

Our very own year-ending tournament will be announced soon. This is not part of your regular season membership, if you want to participate you will have to sign up for it.

The days are longer but getting to be fewer on the hockey calendar. This weekend’s rec tournament, to be followed by the Canadian North Balsillie Cup oldtimers tournament, and WIMPS very own bunfest, mean that the rinks, like the weather, are heating up before the ice goes away for the summer.