Area RCMP converge on Pincher Creek arena

RCMP Southern Alberta hockey team
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Memorial Community Centre Arena was the scene of a confrontation between area RCMP and Pincher's Creakers Oldtimers hockey team on Sunday evening, February 10, 2013.  Members of the Brocket, Fort Macleod, Claresholm, Lethbridge, and Pincher Creek detachments  suited up to play a friendly game of hockey against the Creakers.  Perhaps mimicking this year's late start for the NHL, this off-the-cuff outing was the RCMP team's first game of the season.

As is usual for the Oldtimers, the game played out over the course of three 25 minute run-time periods with brief intermissions between the periods. Southern Alberta's Finest showed the Creakers no leniency, repeatedly charging their net while providing their own goalies with plenty of backup.  The Oldtimers eschew hard checking, but in hockey anything can happen.  After a collision in the second period the ref could have thrown the book at the RCMP member responsible,  but the infraction was overlooked.  Further investigation is not ongoing at this time.

Things really heated up in the third period as the two sides battled repeatedly for custody of the puck, speeding from one end of the rink to the other in an arresting display of on-ice prowess.  Despite being down 9-4 at one point, the Creakers showed no signs of bailing, which is what we've come to expect after seeing them attourney's.  They held their own rather well, even sneaking a few goals in under the radar, despite the Mounties' reputation for always getting their man.

The Creakers are a fine bunch of upstanding citizens, but in the final judgement they were busted by the RCMP team, who maintained their authority to win the game by an approximate score of 9-11.*

The Creakers took their loss in stride.  They play for fun, which means they always win.

"We had to let them win, because they have guns and stuff..." said Dan "Don't Indicte Me" Crawford of the Creakers.  "Between the guns, the pepper spray, and the tasers, we didn't know what to do.  We thought it would be better to let them have their way with us."  On a more serious note, Crawford said "It was a fine game.  Some of those guys play pretty good hockey, and some were just having fun like the rest of us."

Justin Gallant was one of two goalies for the RCMP team.  "I work out of Brocket but I live in Pincher Creek," he said.  "It's the first time in four years that we've done this together.  Four years ago, almost to the day, we played against the Old-Timers.  We just thought it was time to get out, and get the skates out again.  It's a pleasure to play against them, they're a good group of guys."  

"We're hoping to line up at least one more game.  Everybody had a lot of fun and it was a good turnout.  Hopefully before March we'll be able to set up another game."

I asked him if they'd practiced beforehand.  "This is it.  It's a crash course.  A lot of guys haven't played hockey in years, they were saying.  So obviously some guys will be more comfortable next time."

Tyrone Potts is famous in these parts for his years as head coach for the now dormant RHL Cowboys team.  "It gives us a chance to get together, all the detachments, and it's good PR, public relations," he said.  "It's important as members of the RCMP to mingle in the community. This shows good sportsmanship.  I was happy with the people that came out, the people that supported us.  I just think that it's good for the community."

Tyrone Potts takes custody of the puck

"It shows that RCMP members are humans too. And good sportsmen.  I had a lot of fun,"  Potts concluded.

Surveillance footage:

* Possible perjury