PHOTO GALLERY: Road Hockey Rumble kicks off Kraft Hockeyville bid
By Kyra Hoggan
The second annual Road Hockey Rumble on Saturday served as the kick-off event for Castlegar’s bid to become Kraft Hockeyville 2015.
Four teams went head-to-head in the Complex parking lot: The fire department, RCMP, media and city council/staff. (The media and council teams were beefed up by assistance from players from both the Castlegar Rebels and The Selkirk Saints).
Game one, Smoke ‘N Guns (firefighters verses cops) was a blow-out, with the police burning the fire department 6-1. Next up was Snoops vs the Governators (media vs the city), with media ultimately vetoing council 7-6. Finally came the championship game – a nail-biter that saw the media cuff the cops 5-4 in overtime.
All this is part of the city’s Castlegar is Kraft Hockeyville bid, with the hope of winning $100,000 in arena upgrades, a pre-season NHL game at the Complex, and country-wide bragging rights.
“We’re in it to win it,” said city councillor Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff. “For the next couple of weeks, we have a list of events we’re putting on, and we’re encouraging everyone to log on and nominate Castlegar at www.khv2015.ca”
One exciting event for local kids is the art attack contest – children are encouraged to get really creative and submit a poster/painting/picture of what hockey means to them.
“They have until 4 p.m. on Jan. 28 to submit their entries at the Complex,” Heaton-Sherstobitoff said. “The top three will get $25 gift cards from Mallard’s Source for Sports and a backpack, to be announced at the Rebels game on Jan. 31.”
Of course, the winning entries will be posted on the Kraft Hockeyville site as well.
Game night on Jan. 31 is also ‘Red and White Night’, with adults wearing red and white paying only $5 admission and kids wearing hockey jerseys getting in for free (although a non-perishable food donation for the food bank is requested).
Nomination stations will be set up with volunteers on hand to help residents show their support – nominations close the evening of Feb. 8
“Nominating is a way easier process than last year,” Heaton-Sherstobitoff said. “Another thing that’s different this year is that communities have to identify a program that will benefit if you win. We’ve tentatively identified a warming room, so seniors, small children, people with disabilities and people who just don’t tolerate cold well can sit in the arena and watch a game.”
The top 10 entries in the country will be announced March 14 and will move forward to a voting round from March 21 to 23. The votes will identify two finalists, one from the east and one from the west, with another round of voting March 28 to 31. The winner will be announced April 4 during Hockey Night in Canada. For more information, visit www.khv2015.ca
