MAPLE LEAF ICE HOCKEY CUP GOES TO FLYERS!

Canberra, June 21, 2004.-- Blacktown Flyers' undefeated round-robin run for the inaugural Maple Leaf Cup in Canberra was capped by a thrilling and convincing 8-1 victory over Sydney Bears as the national capital hosted Australia's newest national ice hockey tournament  to open Canada Celebrates.

Sponsored by the Canadian High Commission under the patronage of High Commissioner Jean Fournier, and the guidance of Deputy High Commissioner Gaston Barban, the Maple Leaf Cup's humble beginnings -- a house-league tournament for the local ACT Ice Hockey Association (ACTIHA) in Canberra – “grew like topsy” as word spread around Australia of its existence.

For High Commissioner Fournier, whose posting down under as Canada's representative draws to a close, said it was a fitting testament to “Canada’s game” that Canberra had adopted the proposal to tie in with Canada Celebrates in the lead-up to his country's national day on July 1.

"I hope this event grows and grows in the years to come," he told the crowd at Phillip Ice Rink before performing the ceremonial opening face-off with ACTIHA president Ms Gerry Rozdarz on June 19.  "This is a game and a sport synonymous with Canada which many people, even in Australia, do not realise has been played here since 1907."

Participating teams from Geelong (Cougars), Blacktown (Flyers), Penrith (Phantoms), Sydney (Bears) and two Canberra teams (Blues and Whites) played a full day of abridged games in a round-robin format beginning at 12noon.  The championship game -- between Sydney Bears and Blacktown Flyers -- was played before a packed arena shortly after 7pm, by which time all the teams had played at least three games each.  The Bears reached the final after a shoot-out which went to six shooters before the Bears bagged the winning goal!

"That's a lot of ice hockey in one day, but with the abridged format and the well-officiated and staged games, we were able to maximise the ice time we had and ensure no one was overly tired, or prone to injury because of fatigue," said Ms Rozdarz.  "We had only one injury which required a player getting an x-ray, while several players who were attended to by the wonderful St John's Ambulance staff were told not to play further, and to rest.  They wisely took the experts' advice."

At the conclusion of the final game, all of the players, their parents, off-ice support staff and families relaxed in the restaurant at the Woden Tradesmen's Union Club's fine restaurant for a tournament dinner, with speeches by Canadian Deputy High Commissioner Gaston Barban, and tournament organising committee chairman, Dr Bear McPhail.

"We will continue to support local ice hockey in Canberra for another Maple Leaf Cup in 2005," announced the Deputy High Commissioner "and we would love to see many more teams from Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and even Adelaide or Perth coming to play this great game of ice hockey.

"It's so very important we provide our young players an opportunity to play ice hockey in a fun-oriented environment where friendship, new experiences and newly-acquired skills are the focus.  This event was about the kids, and I'm so glad the adults who attended ensured it was fun to the last whistle.

"Congratulations to the Blacktown Flyers...they certainly showed how the game can be played," Mr Barban added.

Plans are already afoot to stage a two- and possibly three-day tournament in mid-June 2005 with games commencing on a Friday evening for teams from Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra, and expanding into a full weekend's games with a final on Sunday afternoon.

"We're already getting our heads together to plan for next year," said organising committee chairman, Dr McPhail.  "It is a great opportunity for everyone in ice hockey in Australia at this young age group to work together for the sport's development."

Canberra Whites 3 def Canberra Blues 2

Geelong Cougars 7 def Penrith Phantoms 0

Blacktown Flyers 7 def Canberra Whites 0

Blacktown Flyers 8 def Canberra Whites 0

Sydney Bears 3 def Geelong Cougars 2

Blacktown Flyers 8 def Sydney Bears 1

Captions:

Gaston Barban

Canada's Deputy High Commissioner to Australia, Gaston Barban, got down to ice level with the Canberra Blues during the inaugural Maple Leaf Cup.  (Credit: Guido Rozdarz photo)

Blacktown victors

Blacktown Flyers were champions with a convincing 8-1 championship game win over Sydney Bears...as the faces of these two Flyers' players testifies!  (Credit: Guido Rozdarz photo)

Flyers w Canberra goalie action

Canberra goalie Tom O'Malley desperately tries to shut down Blacktown Flyers' Andrew Pagonis during their 7-0 round-robin game the Flyers won. (Credit: Guido Rozdarz photo)