7
My copy of the latest
edition of the Rossland
Reporter arrived a few days
back and there was one
small part in a sports report
that really bothered me; the
writer was talking about the
fracus that erupted at the
end of the last Spokane game
in Rossland.
It was the way the writer
wound up his story, which
was probably a factual
explanation of what ha~
pened. I was at a Legion
installation meeting that
night and couldn't-attend the
game. It was the closing
sentence that kind of got to
me: "Perhaps we can all
take pride in this fine
example of how hockey can
build character."
To me, this is something
that could well have been left
unsaid because right next to
it is a picture, supposedly of
the game between the Trail

p

D:a

.. ALK:Z
and Rossland Pee Wees
This sort of thing could be
battling it out in the final of stopped if the officials were
the Rossland tournament in to stay on the ice until all the
a game which was decided in players have gone to their
the third overtime period. dressing rooms. It's pretty
This is the sort of thing easy to build up a pretty hot
which helps hockey build temper in the course of a fast
character in our young game, especially if the
people, not the actions of brea~ are going against
some of the goon-like you. It's one facet of one's
characters that frequent character that we have to
hockey rinks all over Canada watch very carefully. I think
and just love the chance to it's called letting off steam
start swinging at other and it's as natural to most
people's heads.
athletes as breathing.
I think that a good start to
I've heard lots of horror
put a crimp in these guys' stories about happenings
activities would be for the after hockey games. In fact,
game officials to remain on · after many sports events,
the ice until all players have gangs of hoodlums hanging
been shepherded to their around the arenas after
dressing rooms. I noticed at games to take out their spite
last Friday night's game, on one or another of the
one of the Trail players went players. It's been happening
into the stands to tackle all over the world for years,
someone who had probably reaching major proportions
been baiting him from that at times. Maybe the idea of a
particular area.
few of our local law en-

forcement officers spending
an hour patrolling the area
would be effective.
Anyway, we have not had
too much of this sort of thing
and hope we won't in the
future. It is always a threat
when young people get inflamed with liquor or what
have you. Most of our boys
on the Warriors like to mix
with the fans in the lounge
after a tough game and as
long as they are of the right
age group, there is nothing
wrong. The fans like to get
the boys' reactions to a good
win or even a tough loss and
I guess a pat on the back
after a good effort is always
appreciated.
The fate of the Warriors
for the playoffs will depend
on how they can handle the
Spokane Flames when it
comes down to the nittygritty. Their games against
the Flames have never been

out-and-out run-a ways
during the regular schedule
and let's hope they can show
us some good hockey in the
playoffs. They have one
game left which should
prove to be a good wann-up
for what's to come. Any time
a team beats the boys from
Beaver Valley, they have to
get a good game from all
concerned. A win on Friday
night for our Warriors would
be a big boost for their
morale.
One event that will be
taking place in the Rossland
Arena Feb. 24-26 will be the
annual Play-for-Fun hockey
tournament. This is always a
pleasurable experience for
the fans. The prices are
minimal in all departments.
I will be one of the people in
charge of the statistical
department and would
appreciate some help. Just
give me a call at 362-5205.

Albert Bruce tells me that
they have a 16-team format
this year, up four from
previous years. When I get
the locations of the teams
coming in, I will pass them
along and I will promise you,
you're going to enjoy the
competition. It's always to~
notch and these guys really
play for fun.
Another fun deal was held
on Sunday last at the curling
rink where the Eagles held
their one-day mixed bonspiel. From all reports it was
really a good time. There
was a three-way tie for overall winner and teams were
picked out of a hat. A guy
from Nelson won out and he
had at least one Rosslander
on his rink. The Eagles'
president, Rossland's Eric
Harry, won the booby prize
in a shoot-out also. Supper
and drinks were on the menu
and a real party developed.