My first effort of this week's column will be to
address some queries to a gent who I feel should
know what he's talking about on the subject I
would like to ·pursue, Terry Skarbo, President of
the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
These days I rarely venture beyond the confines of the Rossland Arena to watch Junior "B"
hockey, and I am sometimes confused at the actions of the referes in charge of games. I understood that one person representing each club on
the ice was allowed to question an arbiters
decision. Each club has a captain and some have
two acting-captains. These are people who are
supposed to approach a referee to question calls,
but, only one at a time.
The last two games I've seen at the arena,
Rossland versus Castlegar and Beaver Valley, two
different referees have stood for different lengths
of time with a crowd of players around them from
each team and, I suppose, qualified their calls.
While I realize that with the new rules in force
this season, some teams may need some briefing
on them but I can't see why prolonged esplanations
are forthcoming on practically every one. I
imagine that officials have to pass certain standards to get their ticket and u such should know
what they are doing, and see that rules are enforced. They should not allow mass challenges to
their authority while the fans sit on their hands.
Fans pay their money to see hockey, not courtroom
decisions rendered.
This season with promises of some good entertainment, the fans in Rossland are coming out in
larger numbers. H this is going to improve we'll
have to do something about the sort of thing I've
just brought to your attention. The last game I was
at, versus Beaver Valley, there wu the usual
rough stuff and practically every call was
challenged by one team or the other. It took, by
actual timing, 48 minutes to play one period when I
checked the timepiece myself and compared notes
with others.
So, Mr. President, I appeal to you on behalf of
the fans, do what you can to help correct this sort
of thing. The fans are the people who keep Junior
"B" hockey going and we should try to keep them
happy.

I wu interes&ed to note that at the Minor
Hockey tournament in Rossland over the weekend
that this sort of thing was kept to a minimum. A
number of veteran arbiters were in charge of the
games and they kept things moving, games of two
lHDinute straight time and one 20-minute stop
time were completed in a liWe over an hour and
there was excellent action in every one. It bodes
well for Junior "B" hockey in our area that there is
this pool of excellent prospects no farther away
than their own Bantam leagues.
At the close of competition on Sunday afternoon, the awards were made, Rossland Bantams won first with a 4-1 record, Trail was second
also with a 4-1 record, but poorer goals count than
Rouland, 34-28. They had to play the Rossland Pee
Wees in their final game and needed 18 goals to win
first. The liWe guys played them every inch of the
way but lost 11-3, and were given the third-place
medals for their gutsy performance in every game
they played.
I have to raJse my hat to everyone who participated. Organizers, officials on the ice, players,
coaches, and the timing and scoring officials for a
job well done; and thanks to the Warrior
organization for opening the lounge.
Now, to curling for a moment. I see that the
Rossland Curling Alsoclation has come out with a
complete work schedule for the various clubs to
run the Curling Rink lounge during the coming
season. I see that the work is pretty well
distributed to all clubs, we of the Retirees have
pulled four weeks in charge during the season,
starting in November and finishing in March.
Corrie Bateman of-the Mixed Club, has asked
that I say a word to boost their One-Day Fun 'Spiel
on Dec. 1. H you wish to enter, there is a list in the
curling lounge or you can call Dave Smith at 3629586. No rinks will be accepted, names of those
wishing to play, only. It will cost $10.00 for the
curling with supper included, the format will be
three m:-end games per team, total points to count.
Two points for a win, one each for a tie and a
point for each end won. For a ~ fun day, sign up.
Well, the snow keeps falling and pretty soon we
shall see Harvey and his friends coming into the
Legion with rosy cheeks and frost on their stubble
or beards from an excursion on the cross-country
trails. Sometimes I envy them, but then I give it
some more thought and then I say, Til next time,
then!