Team Courtenay, captained by former mayor Greg Phelps, was aiming to tie the four-game Mayor’s Cup series, but the Comox players had other plans.
Keegan Rivett and Nolan Stewart had prepared the Comox players well and they came out determined to return the Mayor’s Cup to its home in the Comox Town council chambers. Both teams played hard, but Comox took an early lead and were ahead by three goals at halftime.
During intermission, fans and players were treated to an exhibition match by players from the Comox Valley Minor Hockey program. A lively game ensued with cheers from the supportive crowd.
Meanwhile McKinley Veale and Gabe Schovanek were laying out a strategy with the Courtenay players to get back into the game. Their plans paid off and the puck started hitting the back of the Comox net.
With a flurry of activity in front of Comox’s net, time ran out with Courtenay still down 4-3. Mayor Paul Ives and his Comox team won their third game in the series.
The game was the culmination of the group’s recreational play for the season but more importantly it was a fundraiser for local children. Paul Helpard organizes the annual event to help ensure that “ALL kids can play.”
This year, the group was able to present KidSport with a cheque for $5,250. Stu Tunheim, spearheaded a $1,000 donation from Comox Rotary.
Special thanks to Wendy Nixon Stothert for adding her amazing vocals to open the event with the singing of O Canada. Ryan Williams, director with the Comox Valley chapter of KidSport, was the MC of the event, ensuring the crowd was updated and aware of all of the night’s activity.
Applications to receive support or donate to KidSport are available online at www.kidsportcomox.ca.
— Mayor's Cup