On the pond

Pond Hockey event attracts 24 teams

Saturday’s 2018 P.E.I. Pond Hockey Championship in Mill River attracted 24 teams, with Cory Milligan’s foursome winning the A Division.

From changing footwear at a picnic table to losing sight of the puck in the new-fallen snow, there were flashes of hockey from yesteryear during Saturday’s 2018 P.E.I. Pond Hockey Championship.

The West Point Volunteer Fire Department moved its 12th annual championship to Mill River Park and attracted 24 teams.

With all the uncertainty about the weather leading up to the event, attendance was lower than normal, but teams seem to enjoy the experience. Weather was a factor long before the games began as volunteers lost their ice patch to thaws three times.

The temperature on Saturday was good for outdoor hockey but snow fell throughout the day, requiring the Zamboni to clean the ice surfaces after every game.

Cory Milligan and his team of Trevor Pineau, Shawn MacMillan and Chris Clements went undefeated in winning the event’s A Division. The Nathan Oatway team was runner-up. Logan Smallman from Team Oatway collected the competition’s Dustin Clements Memorial Trophy as the player best displaying dedication, determination and commitment. The Dominic Arsenault team downed the Mike MacIsaac team in the B final, while the Neversaids won the C event over the Logan Griffin entry. The Cascumpec Rams – Creed Coughlin, Jacob Gamble, Tyson Carragher and Dillon Ellis – were named the tournament’s most sportsmanlike team.

ERIC MCCARTHY/JOURNAL PIONEER Dillon Ellis (right) of the Cascumpec Rams knocks down a bounding puck during the P.E.I. Pond Hockey championship Saturday at Mill River Park. The Rams were named the most sportsmanlike of the 24 teams in the tournament.

ERIC MCCARTHY/JOURNAL PIONEER The Swamp Things and the Squirts battle Saturday during the P.E.I. Pond Hockey championship tournament at Mill River Park. The event is a fundraiser for the West Point Fire Department.

ERIC MCCARTHY/JOURNAL PIONEER A snowy afternoon only added to the fun Saturday during the P.E.I. Pond Hockey championship tournament. Twenty-four teams participated.