Senior Tritons hockey team tackles regional playoffs

The Men’s Senior Tritons hockey team.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

The Men’s Senior Tritons hockey team are putting on hold any grandiose dreams of national home-ice hockey glory, at least for now.

In order to qualify for the Canadian Armed Forces Oldtimers Hockey Championship, to be held at CFB Esquimalt March 6 to 10, the Tritons will first need to defeat up-island rivals the Comox Flyers this week in a best-of-three regional championship series at the Wurtele Arena.

The official puck drop for game one on Tuesday, Feb. 9 is at 9 a.m., with game two at 7:30 p.m., and if necessary a game three tie-breaker Feb. 10 at 2:30 p.m. The players and coaching staff hope hockey fans at the base lend their support at both games.

“It would be terrific to get some support and get the fans out to Naden and behind us for the regional championships,” said MS Andrew Johnston, assistant coach.

“We know it’s really tough for people to get away from work during the day, but the amount of fan support can really make a big difference for us.”

The winner of this week’s series advances to represent the Pacific region in the Canadian Armed Forces Oldtimers Hockey Championship, competing against Quebec, Prairie, Ontario and Atlantic region teams.

CFB Valcartier won last year’s five-team national finals held at CFB Borden in Angus, Ont. while the Tritons placed fifth.

Top players on this year’s Esquimalt squad include winger LCdr Bill Ansell, Capt(N) Jason Boyd who plays centre, and play-making winger RAdm Gilles Couturier.

“We have many senior officers on our team, but as far as hockey is concerned, as soon as a player enters our dressing room everyone’s an equal member of the team,” said MS Johnston. “That’s why being part of this team is all about the hockey experience, getting some good exercise, boosting morale, bonding and representing our base.”

The younger men’s Tritons team recently advanced to the CAF Men’s National Hockey Championship at CFB Borden March 5 to 10 with a 2-0 series sweep over the Comox Flyers at Wurtele Arena on Jan. 13.