Saturday's Notes from the Atom Holiday Tournament

Chris Davis and Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

These Sparwood/Elk Valley fans were having a
great time at the Atom Tournament on Saturday
C. Davis photo

The Atom Hockey Tournament being held at Pincher Creek's MCC Arena concludes today, Sunday, December 11 with three games scheduled:

Atom Tournament, Sunday, December 11

• Game 8: 9-11am     MH Lightning vs RC Grizzlies
• Game 9: 11am-1pm     PC Chinooks vs MH Phantoms
• Game 10: 1-3pm     EV Wild vs RC Grizzlies

We will feature a more complete account of the whole tournament after it concludes.

Pincher Creek Chinooks vs Medicine Hat Lightning
C. Davis photo

So far, Pincher Creek's Atom Chinooks have won two of their three games played so far, with one more game ahead for them today, starting at 11am, against the Medicine Hat Phantoms.

The Elk Valley Wild (in white) and the  Medicine Hat Phantoms
played to a 5-5 tie on Saturday afternoon.
C. Davis photo

On Saturday morning, game 2 of the tournament,  they doubled the Elk Valley Wild by a score of 4-2.  In game 4 against the powerful  Medicine Hat Lightning they didn't fare as well, losing 10-5.  In game 6 they secured a definitive victory over the Redcliff Grizzlies, beating them 5-2.  Chinooks' #21 Josh Conley has been a breakaway goal scoring phenomenon for the team, and #30 Karl Tetachuk has been outstanding in front of the net, very ably supported by their teammates and coaching staff.

Chinooks goalie Karl Tetachuk steps up to claim his
MVP award after the Chinooks/Grizzlies game
C. Davis photo

It was amazing to watch these young athletes, from every team, competing in a marathon of games like this.  Although some signs of fatigue were evident by midway through Saturday, everyone appeared to be still putting in 100%.

Chinooks' Josh Conley on the breakaway
C. Davis photo

One of the highlights of Saturday's event was the 'Turkey Toss'.  The team coaches, managers and assistant managers shot rubber turkey legs across the ice in an attempt to win a turkey by scoring on the undefended net.  Sounds easy, right?  After many attempts by grown men with many hours of hockey under their belts, apparently not.  

Chinooks Manager Jaimie Krampe, bringing home the turkey
C. Davis photo

Chinooks Manager Jaimie Krampe showed everyone how it was done, after expressing a lot of nervousness about the whole affair beforehand.  "I'm a hockey Mom," she said, "Not a hockey player."   This time out, the hockey Mom brought home the turkey.  The other Pincher Creek winner was Chinooks Coach Jim Fitzpatrick.  The turkeys were donated from both Co-op and Sobey's of Pincher Creek.

The event provided the hockey players the rare opportunity to cheer on their coaching staffs, which they did quite boisterously.

Rhett at the raffle table
C. Davis photo

Organizers are to be congratulated for the many hours it took to  put this event together.
The raffle table, 50/50 draws, concession stand, and Town employees were also kept busy all day Saturday.

Sarah Lybbert takes her turn at the raffle table
C. Davis photo