Hi this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “, brought to you by Auto Logic…..the Logical Choice !
The AIMS Mount Pearl Blades Novice hockey team from St John’s, Newfoundland won the ” Rogers-Cheer Like Never Before ” Contest, the formal announcement being made Sunday night on the final stop of the Hometown Hockey Tour.
Congratulations to the Blades. I’m sure they’ll enjoy their big adventure ahead this weekend.
I also want to thank everyone who took the time and made the extra effort to vote for the Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group entry; the CUPE Local 443 Penguins of the Novice House League.
The most common statement issued in the aftermath of Sunday’s announcement has been a heartfelt, ” too bad you lost “; a sentiment I certainly understand.
However, I’m not sure loss is the right way to measure the outcome.
On the ice & off, the CUPE Penguins, & their supporters, had a remarkable season.
– They overcame a very tough start to the season
– almost every Penguin had the experience of playing a game in goal
– at least a dozen parents can efficiently operate the scoreclock at the Rec Centre with ease
– many of those same parents, likely very soon, will be coaches, managers or convenors of minor sports or youth activities
– the Penguins had pizza parties for every possible occasion.
– they sat in the stalls of the Attack dressing room and met the team captain
– they were interviewed on Rogers TV by Jon Meyer, which is a thrill that can’t be equaled
& the Penguins were showcased on the Attack Videoboard during a playoff home game.
You can’t beat that.
I’m also pretty confident in assuming that a dozen 7 & 8 year old Penguins will be eager to sign up for Minor Hockey again next season.
So in spite of the outcome in the ” Cheer Like Never Before ” competition, I’m not sure anything was lost in Owen Sound.
I’m Fred Wallace