Royals, military shine in charity hockey challenge

The game plan was all about fun and fund-raising as Team Blue defeated Team White 9-5 in the Victoria Royals’ annual combined scrimmage with Canadian Armed Forces members Tuesday, Oct. 13.

The 21 Royals players were joined by 22 military players, with the two mixed teams playing two 25-minute periods.

The event was a fund raiser for the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC).

“Everyone loves local hockey, so having the Victoria Royals on our home ice at the base is fantastic and gives hockey fans a chance to come out and see them and support the GCWCC,” said Base Commander, Capt(N) Steve Waddell.

“That’s what both the game and campaign is all about, having a good time while supporting a great cause.”

Royals centre Logan Fisher led Team Blue goal scoring with two, while Lt(N) Jeff Brooker led Team White with two apiece.

Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, RAdm Gilles Couturier also scored for Team Blue.

RAdm Couturier took a pass from Royals centre Matthew Phillips and slotted it past Royals goaltender Griffin Outhouse to give Team Blue a 6-2 lead.

“For the record there were no ‘gimmies’ and the goal was not set up,” said RAdm Couturier who played varsity hockey for the University of Montreal for two seasons between 1984 and 1986.

“The first step is to get in the open ice and the second step is to have the perfect pass, and I had the perfect pass. I was pleased to be able to deliver because I am more of a playmaker and finishing is not my strong suit.”

After the game, Outhouse lauded RAdm Couturier for his goal and level of play.

 “He [RAdm Couturier] was a pretty good player, he burned me,” said Outhouse. “He’s got some serious moves, maybe even as good as some of the guys on our team.”

Shortly after RAdm Couturier’s goal, game announcer Cliff LeQuesne of radio station 100.3 The Q, jokingly taunted Team White rookie assistant coach Joe Hicketts about his team’s misfiring power play.

Hicketts, who normally plays as a defenceman with the Royals, responded to his media heckler by raising his team’s chalk board over his head in sarcastic response to LeQuesne.

 “It was the Royals players who didn’t execute, the CAF players did well,” Hicketts chuckled after the final horn. “It was all about fun.”

Some of those in attendance walked away from the arena with prizes.

The winner of Chuck-A-Puck contest, LS Angel Soto, won a replica Royals jersey.

In the contest fans were given the opportunity to buy a puck for $2 and throw it from the home team’s bench, with the winning puck landing closest to the face-off dot at centre ice.

Many of the 200 fans who attended the game appeared to be enjoying the midday game.

 “It was really great hockey, exciting action with fair play, good sportsmanship and laughs to top it all off,” said LS Kristen Leeson of HMCS Winnipeg.

Peter Mallett
Staff Writer