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Sports Talk: The pandemic caused many to miss the Wade Hamer Challenge Cup. TheySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ll finally see what the fuss is all about

There are very few events in Yellowknife where almost the entire city has a stake in it.
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Sir John FranklinSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s McKinley Talbot, left, battles with Aidan Allen in front of St. PatSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s goaltender Isaac Karstad during the 2020 Wade Hamer Challenge Cup. The game is back after a two-year absence and some people will get a first look at just how big this day really is. NNSL file photo

There are very few events in Yellowknife where almost the entire city has a stake in it.

Perhaps you played in it. Perhaps you have a son or daughter who played in it. Perhaps you went to one of the schools playing in it. Perhaps you have a student going to one of those schools playing today at the Multiplex.

The Wade Hamer Challenge Cup returns to the ice after a two-plus-year absence and itSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s not hard to tell that both Sir John Franklin and St. PatSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s are both raring to go. This is the one game nobody wants to lose. Sure, itSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s all in the name of fair play, fun and all that, but thereSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s that little thing called bragging rights. Lose and youSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ll have to hear about it. And then read about it in FridaySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s Yellowknifer.

In talking with Peter Curran at Sir John Franklin and Rob Hart at St. PatSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s, theySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™re ready. It wonSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t take much for the players to get up for the day. Some of them have never played in this event before, but theySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ve probably been told about the history behind it. Hart and Curran know it well: theySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ve both suited up in the Challenge Cup before and they know the pressure the players are under. You hate to say that, but you know those players are as nervous as ever.

What makes the game so exciting is that the fervor carries over beyond the ice surface. Both schools slap on the face paint, do up some signage, tape up the streamers and balloons on the bleachers and just plain go nuts. Some of them know theySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ve got the afternoon off from school and take full advantage of it, but a lot of students want that experience of being there for the action and swept up in the emotions.

Of course, the mascots from both schools will have a dance-off in between games, meaning youSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ll get to see an overgrown falcon and a full-size leprechaun trying to outdo each other while attempting to stay upright on the ice. St. PatSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s may even have a skating Jesus with the Irish flag to show off. Sir John Franklin doesnSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t have that, but theySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ll have someone with a megaphone making funny remarks.

And to think some going into today wouldnSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t have had a clue about the whole thing because theySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ve never experienced it.

The pandemic meant that anyone in Grade 9 (or, in the case of St. PatSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s, Grade 8) in September 2020 has neither seen nor heard of this game. That wasnSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t lost on either Curran or Hart. They both said plenty of staff and students didnSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t even know what the big deal was. Hart went so far as to say that around half of the current staff at St. PatSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s were wondering why it was such a big deal.

TheySA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ll soon find out.

Today is one of those days when school spirit will be out in full force. Both sides will root against each other for about a couple of hours or so, and then realize that they have to co-exist the following day. A lot of these players are teammates on other teams outside of school; almost everyone playing will be lining up for the Canada Winter Games in February (and most likely the Arctic Winter Games in January, depending how trials go next month), so you canSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t really carry a grudge. It is, after all, just a hockey game. A big hockey game, but a hockey game nonetheless. The difference is itSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s just one game out of many these players will suit up for.

If youSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™re going today, hereSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s hoping your team wins. Go (insert your favourite team here)!



About the Author: James McCarthy

I'm the managing editor with SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½ and have been so since 2022.
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